Day 2:
Cape Flattery, near Olympic National Park
One of the bazillion problems with having a bucket list item of visiting all 63 national parks by the time I turn 63 years old, is that I don’t get to spend enough time in any one place, an understatement for Olympic National Park. My focus is usually to hit the highlights and move on. Having this mindset, I tend to limit myself and underestimate how much I can see in one visit.
A benefit of having the right travel companions is that they can help you stay positive and spontaneous. I had taken Cape Flattery off our itinerary because I thought we would run out of time. Thankfully, my brother thought that was a terrible excuse and we started the second day of our trip at the most northwestern tip of the lower 48 United States– in Cape Flattery.
Cape Flattery is near Neah Bay, actually outside of Olympic National Park, in the Makah Reservation. A permit is required to park by the trailhead. We got ours for twenty dollars at the Makah Marina.
The Cape Flattery Tail is an easy, 1.5-mile trail that is picturesque from beginning to its astounding end, and absolutely worth the trip.
The Hoh Rain Forest, Olympic National Park
Want to feel like you are in a Disney movie? Then visit the Hoh Rain Forest and all its enchantment. The moss-covered rocks, the densely packed trees, the unending ferns, the gentle streams, and the blue Hoh river all work together to create a magical world, fit for all of us princesses. Twelve feet of rainfall per year helps create the lush growth of this temperate rainforest. The other temperate rainforest we visited is the Quinault Rain Forest, which is on the agenda for Day 3 in Olympic National Park.
Two easy hikes that are worth the effort are the Hall of Mosses Trail and the Spruce Nature Trail.
One of my favorite parts of the Spruce Nature Trail was spending some time by the Hoh River. I could have stayed here all afternoon. The boys had fun walking on logs, while I watched a Bald Eagle fly over head.
Ruby Beach, Olympic National Park
Before dinner, we made a stop at Ruby Beach. Another beautiful sight with rocky beaches, large logs, and sea stacks.
Dinner at Longhouse Cafe in Forks
If I’m honest, I get as excited about food as I do about nature. The Longhouse Cafe in Forks is just down the road from the Pacific Inn, but tucked away in the parking lot of Dew Drop Hotel, making it a bit difficult to find. We ordered fresh halibut bites, birria fries, and barbecue sandwiches on fry bread. So good!
Wildlife Spotting
The last item on our list for Day 2 in Olympic National Park was to see some wildlife. We got lucky and after dinner saw two herds of Roosevelt Elk and one deer. It was an excellent way to end our day, and certainly made our hearts grow fawn’der!
