On the Road - Day 21

RV roof and vent leaked last night. I put two pans out to catch the drips. Good thing! Awoke to find them 1/4 full. Vance worked all morning on our Meander 2009 blog, importing photos. He'd like to get it ready for viewing by friends.

At noon we headed to the Hoh Rain Forest of the Olympic National Park. It rained off and on and our RV windows became steamy. It was misty ahead on the road and between the hills. The forests here are lush, filled with ferns and moss. Timber is the industry of this area. Saw some areas of short new growth trees. On the 12 mile road to the Park, tree trunks were covered in moss, similar to the velvet on antlers. As we continued the woods grew darker and closer like green tunnels enclosing us. It felt magical or mystical. I imagine fairies and unicorns dwell here.






Got out to take photos of huge fungus growth on a tree and found the ground spongy under my feet. Over the tops of trees I can see misty clouds in the mountains, cool! Trees stood out on the mountain tops giving them a spiky appearance. There was a "Rough Road" sign at the 15 mile marker. Stopped at the "Big Spruce Tree" - a Sitka Spruce is the Rain Forest Monarch. We travel next to the Hoh river with logs and debris strewn across the gravel bars.


Hard Rain Cafe & Mercantile announces that it is the Last Place for food, coffee, drinks before entering the Hoh Valley Rain Forest and the National Park. In the Park, moss adorns trees like fur. Many tree limbs are draped in long dense mosses. This place is so different, strange, unfamiliar. Seeing the forest up close, my discomfort turns to fascination. Walked the Mini Trail and talked to the rangers. Saw where elk browse on salmon berries. Visitors were warned to keep their distance from elk since there was a recent incident of one charging people.

We learned about the rare temperate rain forest - and all of the required conditions that occur here. Upper story of canopy consists of Sitka spruce, Hemlock and Douglas Fir. Hardwoods inhabit the lower story: maple, ash, etc. They present an interesting mix of colors. We are thrilled at the panorama - the beauty of mists hugging evergreen mountains is really something. The upper reaches of the Hoh Valley includes 7 glaciers.

When we got back to the RV Park, Vance and I took a walk in Forks, down to the traffic light and back. Shopped at the J & P Produce market, picking up a Walla Walla onion and fresh corn. No Safeway here, or movie theater. Continues to drizzle off and on. We are keeping cozy.

In open areas I see mists rise behind dark trees with mountains standing behind.

Returned to 101 RV Park, Forks, WA
Odometer 59,958.1 (61.4) Total: 1815.3