The R-Pod as a Portal to Friends. Lake Crescent

Two months ago, we took the R-Pod to Lake Crescent, in Olympic National Park, to spend a week with our friends that live in their fifth-wheel full-time. I feel lucky to see them at least once per year, and this year, we got to visit with them twice, once in New Mexico and now again in Washington. We got to celebrate the summer solstice with them in a beautiful place.

Contemplating life and the summer solstice.

Fire and conversation with friends. Magical.

Russ and I drove north to the park through Port Angeles using the Hood Canal Bridge (no ferry). On the peninsula side of Hood Canal sits Shine Tidelands State Park, where we stopped for a picnic lunch on the beach. It helps to give the cat some travel breaks on longer driving days. He was still in the groove from our spring trip, however. When we arrived at the Log Cabin RV Resort and meet our friends, there was plenty of time to assemble the kayaks and catch up before making dinner.

Cat transfer.

Shine Tidelands State Park on Hood Canal.

Low tide.

The Hood Canal Bridge.

Beach with flamingos.

Our spot near the creek at Log Cabin RV Resort.

Folding kayaks.

No need to rush anything.

The water was warmish.

The R-Pod backed up to this creek.

Vegetarian tacos and Mexican rice.

Digesting and talking.

Local dinner guests.

Fire on the solstice.

Appreciating the moment and the lovely world.

Sunset over Lake Crescent.

Water plants.

I see the blue.

Glowing.

Full moon rises over the hill.

Russ and I hiked along the lake on the Spruce Railroad Trail, past the Devil's Punch Bowl and back to camp. Our friends kayaked across the lake directly there, then joined the hike later. We passed them on our way out as they were hiking in; they parked at the trailhead, but we walked to it. The trail was crowded on a sunny weekend, but once past the Devil's Punch Bowl area, the crowd thinned out.

Breakfast. Mini spinach quiches with soy sausage on English muffins.

Walking to the trailhead.

Lake Crescent creeks are plentiful and lovely.

Trailhead sign.

Thistle.

A fork in the trail leads to the bowl.

Higher than than the water.

The blue of the Devil's Punch Bowl.

It was a popular spot to swim.

Lunch with a view.

Looking back towards our camp across the lake.

Perfection.

The madrone tree had a few old names carved in it.

Nature's cathedral. It felt holy.

Lichen.

We hit peak wildflower.

Small tree on the shore of a deep lake.

The old railroad tunnel.

The light at the end of the tunnel.

The back of the sign is always more interesting.

More flowers.

We ate out for breakfast the next morning at the Blackberry Cafe in Joyce, Washington with our friends, then Russ and I went to the Olympic National Park Visitor's Center in Port Angeles and hiked the rain forest loop trail (it was short, but beautiful and quiet). Since we were in town, we stopped at Swain's General Store. Russ found a baseball cap with a longer bill; he's been looking for a new one for at least a year, but most of them have short bills, so he just carried on with his old hat from Jack's General Store.

Two happy people ready for breakfast.

The was a veggie breakfast burrito.

This restaurant seems like the only business in a small town.

Cute and worth the visit.

Russ checks out the foliage.

Classic rain forest creek, covered with green.

Short but lovely.

Devil's Club. Don't Touch!

A fun and helpful stop.

Lake Crescent with partial clouds.

Hood Canal from the bridge.

The Tacoma Narrows Bridge signals home.

Whenever we cross the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, I feel like I've come home. Interestingly, we plan to be back at the Log Cabin Resort again next year for a family reunion with Russ' family. It will feel like coming home again in a different way, but be just a special.