Road Trip - Forks, La Push and Ruby Beach

A camping trip had to be dropped this summer, due to rain that particular weekend (even though it has been a dry, long summer in the Northwest). Forks has been in my to-visit list for a while (erm, since I read and watched the Twilight series). Towards the end of summer we used one sunny weekend for a quick beach trip to Forks, WA.

The Olympic Peninsula in WA holds a lot of places to explore. We have been to a few places here - the Hoh rain forest and Hurricane ridge at the Olympic National park, Sequim (for the summer lavender festival), and Port Townsend (Fort Worden in this town is where 'An Officer and a Gentleman' starring Richard Gere was shot), but have not made it past the Olympic National park to the Pacific coast. Forks is located to the west of the Olympic national park.

Entering Forks, WA

After stopping at the visitor center at Forks (the real Bella orange pick-up truck from the movie, parked outside the visitor center was fun to click pictures with), we headed out to La Push.

Twilight treaty line on the way to La Push from Forks

On the way to La Push from Forks

It was a sunny though windy evening when we got there. There are three beaches in La Push named First, Second and Third beach. There are hiking trails to get to the second and third beach. The First beach is accessible with vehicle. We stopped at the First beach.

First beach in La Push is a picturesque, very classic, northwest beach with cold waters, chilly winds and driftwood that borders the beach. It has interesting, beautiful sea stacks spread jutting out in the waters. The sun was around that day trying to warm us against the chilly winds.

First Beach, La Push, WA

First Beach, La Push, WA

First Beach, La Push, WA

The next day, we did the gift shop and the 'twilight' photo ops throughout the town. After that we headed to Ruby Beach. It was similar to First Beach. It had driftwood and rocks (which was exciting for the kids to walk on and hunt for cool rocks) bordering the beach and it also had sea stacks in the water. It was not windy here and it was warmer than the previous day. It was a day when you feel a jacket is needed and when you actually wear it, you feel too warm. We spent some time there playing, exploring and then headed back home.

It was a good summer weekend getaway for the family. I would like to experience this place as described in the book - damp, cloudy and foggy, another time.

Ruby Beach, WA

Ruby Beach, WA

Ruby Beach, WA

Apparently this year marks the 10th anniversary of the publication of the first 'Twilight' series book. They had an 'Forever Twilight in Forks' event in Forks during the Sep 10 to 13th weekend to celebrate the occasion. Report about how Twilight series has uplifted the economy of this small town here.

Road Trip - Crater Lake National Park

As soon as the school was out this year we set out for a road trip to Crater Lake National Park in OR. There are lodges and cabin facilities available around the park for stay. We had booked a cabin about 20 miles off the southern entrance of the national park. We drove in on a Thursday. Friday was spent in the park. On Saturday we did few activities closer to where we stayed and on Sunday we drove back home.

Crater Lake National Park:

We entered the park from the south and stopped at Steel Visitor Center at the Park Headquarters. We watched a 22-minute film on the formation of the lake, got some information to plan the day and then headed out.

400,000 years of volcanic activity builds 12,000 foot Mount Mazama, then 7700 years ago eruptions bring it down to form a deep caldera and then years of rain and snow melts, fill it to create 'Crater lake'. Mazama is not an extinct volcano, it is still active and could awaken another time.

We drove east first on the rim drive and stopped at 'Vidae Falls', which can be accessed from the main road.

Vidae Falls

We kept on the East Rim drive and did the 2 mile kids friendly trek up to the Plaikni Falls. The wild flowers and tiny blue butterflies fluttering around them, near the falls was just so lovely.

Plaikni Falls

After the hike, we stopped at the 'Phantom Ship Overlook'. That is the first time we caught sight of the lake and first thing that seizes you is the blueness of the lake. 

The Phantom Ship Overlook

Then we started driving west and stopped at the 'Rim Village' which has a visitor center, gift shop and a cafe, to have our lunch. There are view points from here as well to see the lake.

The Wizard Island on Crater Lake

After lunch, we kept driving west and did the rim drive along the lake stopping at various view points, taking pictures.

The fact that you can actually see the entire lake in all its blueness and stillness stretching across below your eye level, on top of what is an active volcano, is surreal.

View of wizard island from 'Watchman Outlook'

There is a trail called the 'Cleetwood Cove Trail' in the north side of the lake, that goes down to the lake in a steep, strenuous hike. We didn't do it this time. Maybe next time when the kids are a little grownup.

There is a 2-hour boat tour around the lake which we heard will be operational July 3-Sept 13 only.

Mount Mazama in Oregon, is the 4th volcanic mountain in the Cascade Range I have visited, after Mt. Rainier, Mt. Helens and Mt.Baker in WA. Here is a list of all the Cascade Range volcanoes in British Columbia, WA, OR and CA.

Klamath and Western Railroad:

We had one more day left to explore and we took it easy. We visited the Klamath and Western Railroad. Luckily they had their Saturday rides open. It was so much fun to ride in those mini trains through a spooky tunnel, bridges, fictitious mini towns and railway station set up. The rides are free and they accept any contribution. It was an enjoyable activity for the entire family.

Mini Train Engine

Train Ride

Klamath Fish Hatchery:

After the train ride we headed to Klamath Fish Hatchery. We loved this place. There are areas in here where you can feed the fish. The location and the layout of this hatchery is so lovely with trees, a creek, green pastures and mountains beyond. Feeding the fish was a wonderful experience for the kids.

Feeding the fish

The tiny ones

There are lots of farms around here with cattle, horses and donkeys grazing out in the grass and goat and sheep in their pens, which was fun to spot and watch during the drive.

Crater lake resort:

The kids enjoyed the grounds and the play area of the place we stayed at immensely. The shallow creek, with a wooden bridge, canoes and a trail, was a favorite.

Road Trip - John Day Fossil Monument, OR

Beginning of July we went on a road trip to John Day Fossil Monument, OR. We stayed in a small town called John Day few miles east of the monument. From Seattle, we drove to Kennewick in Eastern Washington and then drove south from there. The drive from Kennewick to John day was an undulating terrain with multiple mountains and prairies. The monument is in the middle of nowhere.

The monument is divided into three geographically separate units spread across a vast area. Plant and animal fossils found here date back to 44 million years to the 'age of the mammals'. The Sheep Rock Unit has a paleontology center with fossils on display. I am amazed at the number of fossils that has been found here. This is probably the first time I have seen animal, plant fossils and so many geologically variant rock formations in the place it really happened and not in some museum. 

We managed to cover all three units in one day. The Park Trail map that you can get in the paleontology center, illustrates the different trails in each unit. We explored 2 or 3 in each of them. There were interpretive signs on some and some looked like work is in progress. It is a good idea to pack lunch as there are not much options to eat once you leave John Day.

Sheep Rock Unit

Clarno Unit

Clarno Unit

The painted hills unit was beautiful and its geology fascinating.

Painted Hills Unit

Painted Hills Unit

Painted Hills Unit

Painted Hills Unit

You can find more information about this place here. The next day we made our way back to WA - stopped at Mt Hood for a quick photo op and drove along the imposing Columbia River.

I want to visit Dinosaur National Park one summer soon.

Road Trip - Harrison Hot Springs and Hope BC, Canada

What a fun trip this was! We made this trip in May. We stayed in very curiously decorated vacation rental home near Hope, BC. The house had three levels, with bedrooms in all the levels. The attic was turned into bedroom for kids. The kids (and adults!) had a great time running up and down and discovering all the spaces. We went with 2 other families with kids. 

Vacation Rental home at Hope, BC

On the way to Hope, BC we visited Bridal Veil Falls and Harrison Hot Springs. The kids enjoyed the small trek up to the falls and enjoyed playing in the sand on Lake Harrison.

Bridal Veil Falls

Lake Harrison

The next day, we went on the Hells Gate Tram that takes people across the turbulent waters of the narrowest section of Frasier river. There is also a gift shop, cafe, education centre and a suspension bridge located there. The walk on the pedestrian bridge was exciting!

Hells Gate

After stopping for lunch in Hope, we headed to Othello Tunnels. Enjoyed an enthralling walk through the tunnels with stunning views of the canyon and the river. 

Othello Tunnels

Interesting Trivia - The movie 'Rambo First blood' has scenes shot in Hope as well as Othello Tunnels!

We drove to Vancouver on the way back to WA, to visit the Vancouver aquarium and that concluded the trip.

Vancouver Aquarium

Road Trip - Grand Coulee Dam

We had been on a road trip to Grand Coulee Dam this spring and stayed there for a night. The dam produces hydroelectric power and provides for irrigation in the state of Washington.

Grand Coulee Dam, WA

Grand Coulee Dam, WA

We enjoyed the laser show at night projected on the water in the dam which tells the story of the Columbia River and the history of the dam.

Laser show on the water at night

Before heading back home we stopped at the 'Crown Point Overlook' which provides a beautiful view of the dam and the river. This viewpoint is just few minutes from the city of Grand Coulee.

View from the 'Crown Point Overlook'

View from the 'Crown Point Overlook'

On the way back on I-90 going west, before crossing the river at the vantage bridge, we stopped at a view point to see the Columbia River. The view of the gorge and the river from here is stunning.

Columbia River 

There is also a higher view point you can trek up to see the bridge and the river, called the Wild Horse Monument.

Road Trips - Summer 2010

Summer 2010 was fun with parents visiting and well planned trips. We did couple of road trips this summer within Washington, which has made me appreciate WA's varied landscape more.

1. Cascade loop with stay in Lake Chelan

We did the cascade loop, a scenic highway loop in WA in June. We took I-5 north, then drove east through I-20, stopped at Diablo Lake for lunch. Passed through Mazama and stopped at a quintessential small town, Winthrop for some coffee and icecream. After another hour and a half drive we reached Lake Chelan. It was a clear, sunny day and the scenery on the drive there was stunning. The landscape in western Washington has tall coniferous trees but once you cross the North Cascade mountain range and get to the eastern side, it is all rolling hills, a completely different panorama.

Diablo Lake

Driving through the North Cascades

Lake Chelan

We stopped by a very beautiful vineyard which had a great view of the lake and the hills. 

Visited a local farm and did some strawberry picking. 

Strawberry Picking at a local farm

Strawberry Picking at a local farm

The plan was not to do much, just kick back and relax and we managed to do that. I was still training for the half-marathon and hence went for a run along the lake in the morning. We just wanted to lounge in our room and take in the view and that is what we did.

2. Cherry picking in Yakima and Palouse Falls

Cherry picking in Yakima

Cherry picking in Yakima

Palouse scenic byway on the way to Pullman, WA

Palouse Falls

Palouse fields from Kamiak Butte County Park

Palouse Hills