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Day 5 - Two Rain Forests and an Ocean

Yup, that's right we went to rain forests today!

After checking out of our room at the Pitchwood Inn in Raymond, WA we traveled north toward the Olympic National Park.  First stop was the Lake Quinault loop drive around the lake and within the Quinault Rain Forest.  This is apparently the lesser of the two rain forests we visited today...but it was by far our favorite.  Very primeval!


Primeval, right?

We then went further north to the Hoh National Rain Forest.  We were hopeful that it would be even better...but nope.  Unless you want to hike in the forest, I'd skip it.

Tonight we are staying at Forks, WA...which is apparently famous for the Twilight book series!  Now to plan what were doing tomorrow!


Pitchwood Inn in Raymond, WA


Tree on the Lake Quinault Loop drive.
This reminded me of Spanish Moss in the South.

Cool stop on the Loop Drive

Zoom in on this picture! 
There are ferns in the foreground, moss on the trees and
small ferns growing on the trees.  Cool!



 
The first picture of the Pacific!

Just a couple of gals, on a beach, 2,528 miles from home.
 
The view at Ruby Beach
 
 
Another Ruby Beach shot.  How cool is that?

 
On the way into Hoh Rain Forest!

OK...so this tree was huge!  See that white disc?  That's my hat!

This is another to zoom in on.  
It shows the annual rainfall amounts of Hoh Rain Forest as well as other places.  Hoh is way behind this year.  

When we checked in our hotel the attendant said "It's been so dry.  We only got 2 1/2 inches of rain today!"  Wow!






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