Olympic Peninsula, Washington

Large Sitka Spruce trees in the rain forest.  Lake Quinault area

I just love these trees.   I'll try to limit the number of tree pix in this post

Using Cassie and the surrounding trees as reference points, you can tell just how big this tree is.

Lake Quinault.   Unbenownst to us...the indian tribe that owns the lake just put a ban on all boats.   So no noisy motors!

Disgusting banana slug

This is a more rainforesty shot of the woods

Our campsite on Lake Quinault.  There is exactly 1 lakeside spot in the RV park, and we go it.   The views were gorgeous!

Our oceanfront spot.   First Beach, La Push, Washington

Lots of HUGE driftwood on the beach.

Missy getting ready for a surf session.   She's really taken quite a shine to ocean surfing.

Some of the worst scenery for surfing.  :-)

Me and my pooches

Me and Missy suited up to go play in the waves.   (Not kayak playing, swim playing)

Wheeeeeee!

Guess we're the only ones with the right gear to play in these cold water temps.   Thermal layers in the drysuit kept me plenty toasty.   But my hands got quite cold.

Columbia River Gorge

Photo courtesy of Layers

A rare shot of all 3 of us.   Again, photo credit to layers

White Salmon River.  This looks more jungle-like than it actually is.

Missy looking at a fighter jet in the water.  Just Kidding Dad!

I spent a good 45 minutes mesmerized by the giant salmon trying to jump up these falls

Mt. Adams.  Credit: Layers

Cassie getting a drink from her tiny bowl.  Because where else could she get a drink...

White Salmon.  This river is an unbelievable shade of jewel-blue.   Can you tell from the peaks in this picture?

I told them to fix their hair for a picture. 

Very nice hair!

Put-in for the White Salmon

Melissa meets gravity using the raft rails

Trail to put-in

Oregon Sand Dunes



Getting ready to surf/sled the dunes

"Give me the wax!"

"I'll do it"

Being literally sandblasted.   Very windy day!

The sand looks a little like snow

Heading up the steep sledding hill

Still heading up.  A tough climb for sure, but the sledding is so much fun it's totally worth the effort

Me and Melissa unable to stand up.  We were laughing uncontrollably after a wipeout.   I was spitting out gobs of wet sand.



This was our stunning view from the top of the hill

Melissa showing them how it's done.   She was one of the few people able to actually get down on a sandboard.

The Three Amigas!

Missy: "Wheeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!"

Missy: "Aaaacccckkkkkk!"

Pictures from the Pacific Northwest

Missy and I kayaking the Pacific Ocean

Missy and Jeremiah with their usual middle finger posing

Melissa launching Jeremiah

Me lounging on the beach

At the place of the World's Largest Sea Lion Caves

No one on staff to handle the green screen photos?   No problem!

Honestly, I think we had more fun in the hurricane strength winds then we did viewing the sea lions...
 

See?

Melissa taking a great photo of me and the Oregon Coast

Me returning the favor