On our trip to the Quinault Rainforest, we stayed at Cottage Peaks. I got a lot better pics than their website has and as you can see, it is beautiful here. We had a lot of fun though were only able to stay two days. We had hoped to be there at the beginning of fishing season but missed it by a week. The weather was beautiful and the drive from our home was about 2.5 hours. The ride was most difficult on Anna who basically bawled quite a bit of it. The house has a very unique floor plan which seemed great, at first, until we realized that voices carried terribly in it so nap time was very difficult. Anna was afraid to sleep here as well. Samuel did great, I guess he can sleep anywhere now. We shoed him his room, and he just passed out on command. The house and landscape were really nicely done with a lot of attention to detail. The only con to this house was the beds, which were all very poor quality and left us ready to come home after the first night .
The first day we arrived, Kaysha and Daniel immediately hit the back yard to play in the sand and ride their bikes along the lake front. I told them to stay out of the water, but do you think they listened????
Cottage Peaks, front view
Cottage Peaks, back view
Of course not!
We looked out the window only to find them screaming and splashing around in the freezing water.
There is a little dock floating in the water not far off shore that would be awesome for swimming come summertime.
Roasting Marshmellows in the very cool fire pit.
Samuel had fun playing on the shore and did really well staying back from the water after he initially walked right in and got his shoes all wet.
Where is little A.D? Well, she played in the sand a lot here and enjoyed the water so much that she tried to fall in several times.
Hoh Rainforest 4/22/05
Even though we stayed in the Quinault Rainforest, we headed up to the Hoh Rainforest. Huge difference! This place is gorgeous. I came here about 12 years ago on an all girl trip, before Mark, before kids, and have always wanted to return. There are tons of trails here that I wanted to return to. But the first thing we say was a herd of elk, right nest to the Visitor Center. Daniel thought we were back at the zoo. I guess they are not afraid of people here, at all.
We hiked down the River Trail which winds around the Hoh River basin. It was gorgeous, warm, almost hot weather by then. We decided we definitely need an off road stroller. Samuel chose to walk or be carried most of the way. He has his Daddy's love of the outdoors, and hiking for sure.
THe BIG tree.
We found a little break off trail that went to a clear spot by the Hoh River, so we had to go there. It was gorgeous here but everyone really just wanted to take a break from walking and get really dirty playing in the sand.
The Hoh River, where we stopped to play.
LIttle A.D. is just beside herself with joy!
We did not plan for a long hike so we had to cut is short. I wished we could stay all day. We had hit the beaches before coming here and drove over 2 hours so everyone was getting tired. This is a place I hope to revisit come summertime. You know, when we don't drive all over the countryside first, and bring supplies and a better stroller.
So beautiful! Everyone LOVED the Rainforest.
Ruby Beach 4/22/05
We came to Ruby Beach on the way to the Hoh. I had been here about 14 years ago. Wow, I sure did not remember the trail down to the beach, the rocky shore and the dangerous tides. We did not stay long, it was obvious that Daniel was going to get washed away by the tide.
This was Samuel's first trip to see the Ocean. He loved it. But I really think he liked hiking more. THe weather was a bit chilly here as well. This is they type of place you come with your dh, alone! To explore and have fun. How I longed for an hour alone with Mark.
Below, on the way home, we passed the beaches again and what do you know, we found a nice SANDY beach that was sunny. Maybe next time. Our trip made us realize that we just need to get into the outdoors more, hiking, biking, fishing, etc, but maybe we can make day trips to places closer to home, so the kids can sleep in their own beds, at least until A.D. figures out it is okay to sleep elsewhere.
