Glacier Point

Glacier Point in Yosemite National Park offers beautiful views of the valley below. We visited there today after work to take in the view and for a short hike. The hike was great, but we were bummed because the sign at the beginning said the falls were 1.5 miles away, but at the 1.5 mile mark there was another sign that said they were another .9 miles. By that point the sun was going down so we had to head back. We finished in nearly total darkness, with a beautiful view of the stars.

hiking
How we felt when we realized we would have to turn back without reaching our goal.
Beautiful view (side-dome (the side of half-dome))

Vernal Falls Hike

Today we went into Yosemite for the first time. After getting settled in we decided to do the Vernal Falls hike.

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Dillon Beach

Susan’s parents, Gary & Kathie, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this past weekend. We all met in San Francisco for lunch on Sunday and then headed up to a house in Dillon Beach for a few days. It was a fun weekend. Erin & Cameron made the trip from Des Moines and Mary flew in from Kansas City. On Sunday we were joined by Kathie’s brother-in-law, Ron, and his son, Andrew. We actually visited Andrew on our honeymoon, dropping by his house outside of Portland.

Our time in Dillon Beach went quick. We spent Sunday getting moved and settled in. Then on Monday we hung out at the beach, enjoying the nice weather. On Tuesday we headed back toward San Francisco for an outing to Muir Woods. 

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Lewis & Clark National Historical Park

One thing that I think is really cool about Seaside is that it is the area where Lewis & Clark finished their journey. Today we paid a visit to Lewis & Clark National Historical Park, which is really a collection of several national and state parks in the area. There is a great visitors center at Ft. Clatsop, which is a replica of the fort that the Corps of Discovery build for their winter stay. 

Lewis & Clark embody many of the same principles that are part of our lives as well, especially on this trip. They loved nature and being outside. They liked to explore new places and learn about the plants and animals. They also met many new people and connected with many different cultures. 

Olympic National Park

Today we spent the day exploring the west side of Olympic National Park. It took us about 90 minutes to drive to the entrance.
We started the day with a hike in the Hoh Rainforest.
The kids had fun walking across a tree that had fallen over a small stream. The stream was filled with life. No one fell in!
One of the neatest things we learned about was “Nurse Logs.” When a tree falls over other trees grow out of it, using the fallen tree to get above the brush and for nutrients. The fallen tree is the nurse log. The trees are huge so when the nurse log biodegrades it leaves its child well off the ground, supported by its roots.
They found a slug along the path, in a puddle.
We headed out around lunch time.
After lunch we headed to the coast, to Rialto Beach.
The kids had fun running from the waves.
We walked down the beach, toward Split Rock.
Everyone collected different colored rocks. Mari made a rainbow.
Mari was giving me a hard time about having to walk down the beach to Split Rock. Once we arrived, it was awesome. I had to explain to Mari how awesome it was.
After that, Mari was all smiles.
Elliot was barefoot the whole time, but still enjoyed the exploration.
Susan was all smiles when the sun came out.
LIttle did we know we were also walking to Hole in the Rock, or something of that sort. The awesomeness continues, Mari.
The tidepools contained some beautiful sea life.
What a fun day!

Log Cabin Resort

We spent this afternoon hanging out at the campground we are staying at. It is Log Cabin Resort, part of Olympic National Park. It has a small lodge, some boat rentals, lawn games, and a small beach. The weather is supposed to turn cooler again so we thought it would be fun to play in the water.

Mari on the paddle board.
Susan sporting her fanny pack.
I told the kids I would jump in the lake on Thursday. It was rather chilly.
Playing Games

Hurricane Ridge

Today was a beautiful day to hike up Hurricane Hill for a view of Hurricane Ridge, and the surrounding area.

the kids
the parents
Elliot and Lucia holding hands. Lucia likes to try to keep up with Elliot on our hikes. She sometimes pretends that she is his dog.

Log Cabin Resort

Our current campground is pretty amazing. It is in the National Park, on a large lake. The water is clear and cold and surrounded by mountains & hills. They actually close for the year on the day we leave and there is hardly anyone here.

The kids playing where a creek feeds the lake.
Mari exploring.

St. Mary Lake Beach

After work today the kids and I headed into the park to complete their Junior Ranger requirements and to go to a rocky beach where we could play in the lake. About 5 miles into the park the smoke really became thick, but that didn’t stop us from having fun swimming, skipping rocks, and chasing minnows. It was a welcome site when we arrived back at our campsite to almost clear skies. 

The beach
Naked Rosie
Lucia and Mari had fun collecting snails of all sizes.
into the deep
boat
some game the kids made up where they collected things and sold things

Back to Sun Point

This evening we had a little time to go back in to the park so we went back to Sun Point. When we were there last night it was already dark. This evening we had some more time to explore.

Hang on!
Smoky Sun Point
wet feet
the griz. there was a baby, too.