My camping equipment

My camping equipment
Campsite setup

Saturday, July 24, 2021

Summer Trip 2021, Olympic National Park, Washington State

 Olympic National Park

Mora Campground




Located inland from the Pacific Ocean is the Mora area. It is characterized by towering trees, lush undergrowth and the omnipresent roar of the Pacific Ocean in the background. The park is located on Olympic Peninsula. There are four regions in the park, the Pacific coast line, alpine areas, west-side temperate rainforest and the forests of the drier east side. 

Our campsite at Mora

Rialto Beach

The coast is amazingly rugged with large boulders and tidal pools

Star Fish are common in the tidal pools
.


Make shift shelter made by campers from logs gathered from the beach

Campers love Rialto Beach, it is a very unique place that draws nature lovers

While at Mora we drove over to the Hoh rain forest which is also in the Olympic National Park. The rain forest is a special place which makes you feel small as all the plant life is lush and the forest is old growth that towers over your head to heights of over 300 feet.







Olympic National Park in far northwest Oregon is a unique place with so much beauty. I highly recommend taking in this special park if you are in Washington, it is truly spectacular. 








Wednesday, July 21, 2021

Summer Trip 2021, Mount Rainier National Park, Washington State

Mount Rainier National Park 

Cougar Rock Campground



Mount Rainier dominates the landscape south of Seattle, Washington. Standing at 14,410 feet above sea level the glaciated peaks reach to the sky with meadows and ecosystems that are full of wildlife.



We camped out at Cougar Rock campground about 7 miles from Paradise. The old growth forest and the mountain air blessed us with a good experience during our three night stay. The restrooms were close with flush triolets. We were without electric however our solar panel provided for our power needs.


I took this picture on a clear day at the Paradise visitors center. We very blessed to have great weather during our visit. The following images I took during our visit at Paradise. It is truly paradise.

The Paradise Inn

The Lobby

Myrtle Falls

Mount Rainier

Nisqually River descending from the Nisqually Glacier

We drove into the park at the southeast entrance. The drive through the southern section of the park is full of waterfalls and meadows that are a part of this majestic mountain in the Pacific northwest. The rugged mountain landscapes can take your breath away.

Christine Falls

Ridge line of mountains to the south of Mount Rainier

Narada Falls

Nisqually Glacial River flowing from Mount Rainier

Log bridge across the Nisqually River

Box Canyon

Box Canyon Trail

Over 180 feet deep and fast flowing


We enjoyed the wild flowers along the trails we hiked. Again we were bless to be there at the right time. A unexpected pleasure that can happen from time to time during our travels.






Mount Rainier left us with a memory that we will never forget. The majestic scenery is never ending and the trails led you to vistas that can never be done justice through pictures. It is the experience of being there that fills your thoughts and gives you a sense of oneness with the wild.




Sunday, July 18, 2021

Summer Trip 2021, Viento State Park, Columbia River Gorge, Cascades Locks, Oregon

 Viento State Park



This scenic area is very special indeed as it is located west of Hood River, Oregon in the Columbia River Gorge. Viento is accessible via the historic Columbia River Highway State Trail that combined is comprised of 12 plus miles of thrilling scenery and spectacular geological formations.

The Columbia River cuts through the Cascade mountain range

Horsetail Falls off of historic highway 30

Wahkeena Falls off of historic highway 30

The Bridge of the God's crosses over the Columbia River Gorge at Cascades Locks just west of Viento State Park. It is a majestic span. It is one of the few bridges in this area that crosses the wide Columbia river.


The campsites at Viento State Park are nicely spaced with electric and water. The bath houses have showers and restrooms that are clean and spacious. At this point in our trip we had 17 straight days of dry camping with no electric and many case no shower facilities so we were happy to have the conviences that most take for granted. 


We visited nearby Bonneville dam just west of Viento State Park. We marveled at the massive project that was completed in the mid 1930's just after the great depression. This facility produces 1 million kilowatts of clean energy to the Pacific northwest from the massive flow of the Columbia river driving it multiple generators

US army Corps of Engineers visitors center at Bonneville dam

The massive Bonneville dam as it drops 60 feet to produce energy

The fish ladder at Bonneville, Salmon can be seen climbing the runs to spawn

Rose blooming in a garden just outside the visitors center

The Columbia River Gorge is a beautiful place with vistas that are majestic. The area is a jewel of place that we feel so blessed to have experienced on our trip out west this year.




We visited Hood River, Oregon 10 miles east of Viento. In this area folks enjoy Wing Foil surfing. It is a relatively new sport out here that has caught on in a big way. We marveled at the skill level it takes to maneuver across the wide Columbia river. There were a lot of folks who were enjoying the lovely July summer day on the water using the wind to propel there boards across the waves.