End of the Tour

Some really random thoughts first. Did you all know that you don't pump your own gas in Oregon? I know New Jersey is like that but we quite surprised when we needed gas in OR. Different, but I'm for it if it means more jobs. As one of Marshall's friends would say, it was quite civilized. Ha ha!

The Pacific Northwest is also very serious about their coffee. I already had an idea, but there were drive-through espresso stands everywhere I looked. I never saw a Tim Horton's, which was a bummer. I know that chain is big in Canada but I wasn't sure if there were any in Washington. Never saw one. I did try on a stand and was a tad disappointed. Apparently they don't serve drip coffee. I received an Americano when I ordered coffee, which is espresso and hot water. Um, not the same at all! 

We stayed at a very nice, and very crowded, Indian casino in Washington. It was Labor Day weekend so we were lucky to get a room. The gambling didn't impress me much, but it was a great location for our trip to Olympic National Park and the lodging was very nice. 

Olympic National Park, while picturesque, would have been more fun if we camped and hiked; it's not a driving park at all. We never actually saw the mountains in detail until we got to Seattle! We did make one stop to see the Hoh Rain Forest. It's a temperate rain forest, so very different from the tropical ones I usually envision. And of course it was dry season, so no dripping water or sprinkling rain. Pretty but not as impressive as we guess it might be in wet season.

Hoh Rain Forest

More rain forest

One thing we kept pointing out along the trip was all the crazy signs: leaping animals, open range, falling rocks, narrow bridge. We'd laugh pretty hard if we saw multiple in a row. Nothing beats the combo of leaping animals, falling rocks and sharp turn ahead! However, this sign took the cake.  If you can't read it, it's a permanent sign that says Congested Area. I thought it was a very optimistic sign.

We stopped in Forks, Washington for lunch. For non-Twilight fans, this is the setting of the famous Twilight books. I would have been in heaven if I saw a vampire crossing sign, but alas, no sign and no glittery vampires. ;) There were ads all over the place for Twilight tours and there were themed burgers at the lunch place. Yes, there was a Bella Burger. No, it didn't come with wine. (ha, I crack myself up!)

It was a long driving day but we finally made it to Seattle! We took the ferry, which was a nice break from driving and also a great place to see the skyline. It was pretty dark, but Marshall was able to get picture of Mt. Rainier. 

The ferry to Seattle (well, near enough)

Mt. Rainier and the Seattle skyline