Olympia National Park July 9 - 14, 2020

This year we weren't sure if this trip could happen...with Covid-19 traveling isn't what it normally is.

Matt and I left Greta with Erm, Felix, Lisa, and Steve. Wilson stayed with Kelly. James...well, he now is at his second week at the Naval academy, still in quarantene. And Noelle is social as always. Her base camp is at Kelly's, but off to friend's whenever possible.

Matt and I flew out of Ohare, a direct flight. Boy, we have never seenO'hare so bare!! Our masks became so annoying, but I guess it is the new norm. Along with that comes zits along the mask line...😞

Once to Seattle we made our necessary stops for bear spray, fuel, and snacks. We then headed to our lodge...Quinault Lodge on the southern rim of Olympia National Park. It was a old rustic appearing resort made out of log, resembling the old log cabin in Yellowstone. The architect is the same for both. Once there we viewed the lake front property and made our way to dinner. My final dinner consisted of grilled salmon on a bed of greens. Matt had fish and chips. We then hoped in the car and headed to view the largest Spruce tree in the world...58 feet in circumference and 191 feet tall. It is roughly 1000 years old. Next we topped off dinner with ice cream and a final stroll along the beach before hitting the sack. We were entertained on the beach by a nerdy thirty something man telling stories about Greek Gods.

The next morning we had our final breakfast in our lodge and headed to our trail head for the Hoh River Trail. Our route was a 17.3 miles out and back trip to a glacier (Glacier Meadows—-34.6 in total). We planned to do the trek in 4 days, 3 nights. After night one we modified our plan some. We opted to keep our camp at Lewis Meadows two nights and only hike 3 days. It evened our our hiking each day and lessened our load climbing to the glacier day two. We were able to keep some gear back at base camp.

Our first day the trek started through the rainforest. The lush green moss and ferns were breathtaking. Our route paralleled the Hoh river. We stopped a couple times for snacks and lunch and finally pulled into our campsite at Lewis Meadows at dinner time. I was quickly reminded of what it feels like to be exhausted. My dinner of an epic beef bar and oatmeal hit the spot. Actually the dried apricots topped it off! Our site was right near the river. We camped right next to a nice couple from Seattle who looked to be in their late 20s probably newly weds. The most amusing part of this campsite were the lamas. They were used to haul gear and lessen the load for the less fit hikers. I swear they had a thing for Matt.

Day two started off right with hot oatmeal and coffee. As we ventured out with hopes to make it to the glacier I felt a lot lighter...no pack on my back. I felt almost lazy!! As we approached the top our challenge was before our eyes. The step ladder and rope. Our only way to keep ascending was this passageway. Lucky me only had tennis shoes on. I somehow made it work and didn't fall to my death or loosen a rock enough to hit Matt in the head below me. Once to glacier meadows we chatted with a nearby hiker who showed us photos of him throwing up his college graduation hat dressed in his gown the glacier top and informed us we had another hour to ascend. Matt looked at his watch and me and said "no way". I would've done it!! But Matt is the practical one of us both and probably knows what is right. It was here we turned around and headed back down to Lewis Meadows. Matt was a bit more spent than me today. He carried the only pack. We cooked up our dinner and cozied up in our tent to play some Gin Rummy. I'm still not quite sure why, but I had a lot of anxiousness this evening. I tried some yoga...helped me slightly...embarrassed Matt. After a few games of cards we drifted off to sleep. Poor Matt had a mattress that didn't keep air. I relived his cheese enchilada dinner several times that night when I was awoken by him blowing his bad breath into his deflated air mattress.

Day 3 we started out early to try and make it back for a possible phone call from James. We weren't sure if we'd make it but figured we'd try. No coffee for Jill this morning...not enough time to clean out coffee grounds. Next year I'm bringing instant so there won't be any reason I have to skip it. Our trek back was long. My ABC game of desired vacation spots only lasted 1 of our 6 hour trek. Thankfully my mandated rests helped us through. My favorite rest probably was lying down on a moss covered tree. It's softness was calling my name.

When comparing this hike trip with Banff we have concluded that changing scenery, circular routes, openness, and 2 overnights (instead of 3) are necessary details of a desired trip. Not to forget instant coffee, hot cocoa, dried apricots, hiking boots for Jill and an air mattress without a leak. Oh and maybe pomegranate mint gum?

Our last mile of our trek I tweaked my knee. My tennis shoes didn't hold me up in the mud...my knee buckled. I was able to hobble out but boy did I feel it the next 24 hours. After my misstep I hit exhaustion. I suddenly started thinking of my mom and starting balling....Matt came to my rescue with M&M's and the tears stopped. Or maybe it was the scent of the pot the nearby hikers were smoking. I knew I didn't break anything but maybe I stretched the tib-fib syndesmosis?? A few leg massages and 2 good 50 min runs the next two days loosened me up and got rid of all the lactic acid build up.

Our final mile to the car never seemed to end. I was dreaming of a Bai and an apple. Matt a burger. Once we found food at the local cafe the tourture we went though the 2 preceding days began to disappear from our minds. Suddenly all that we normally take for granted seemed amazing!! A toilet, a shower, washing our hands, a bed!!!

Unfortunately we weren't able to get James phone call but we were able to get all the details from his mom and grandma Erma that things were going well. Thank goodness!! Matt was able to breath out!!

Next we decided to stop at Kalaloch ranch along Hwy 101 to see if we could stay there. We were in luck...they had a room with a private belcony, jetted tub, and a view of the ocean. We showered up and decided to chill until grabing dinner at the lodge. We topped off diner with the worst tasting ice cream on the planet! It was made of skim milk! I guess that is what you get when you order a pint from a chest freezer at a convince mart.

I convinced Matt to come outside and explore the beach with me behind our place. It was so windy!! We took some photos with my wonderful selfie stick and we decided to hit the sack early...bed never felt so great!!

In the morning I set off for a run along the coastline...amazing 50 minute endeavor. And my leg felt fine!! Afterwards we had breakfast at the lodge...a breakfast burrito for Matt and oatmeal, blueberries, veggies and egg whites for me. Oh and of course coffee for us both. Next we checked out of our lodge and headed north on Hwy 101 to a coastline beach stop. We strolled the beach, caught some rays and were amazed that no one else was there but us!! One positive of Covid-19.

Next we made our way to Forks...home to the movie Twilight. Many billboards and stores had images from the movie on them. We stopped to grab lunch from the deli of a grocery store and got local advice from the 20 something year old behind the counter of where Matt ought to fly fish. We drove to Sol du Lac River. While Matt flyfished knee deep in the water I listened to podcasts on "bunk science" as Matt would call it...Bullet Proof radio. The host speaks on biohaking....or using alternative medicine. Matt caught his one and only fish...a minnow. And that was even after Erik Christenson texted him drawings and details on technique! After chilling here a couple hours we hoped back in our rental and made our way back to SeaTac...or Seattle. Once to our hotel we decided to go for a good 3 mile walk and then had dinner at 9pm...can you believe it?? 9pm! Once back to our hotel room I crashed. Matt wasn't able to sleep so well...work is on his mind.

Our final morning Matt informs me we need to leave our hotel at 7:15AM. That was BUNK! He tricked me afraid I would be late on my morning run. We had extra time to get Panera breakfast.

Once to the airport we again were amazed at the lack of people!! Maybe cuz Seattle is larely an international airport.

Our trip was a success...no broken bones...no torn tendons...just a broken heart when Matt told Jill we weren't climbing another hour to get to the glacier top. Maybe he knew something I didn't...just like when we were in Maui and he would't let us get close to the tide pools. Dad knows best!!

Until next time...maybe we will do Isle Royal??

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