Exploring the stunning countryside of Washington state – from snow capped mountains to temperate rainforests!

Western Washington has beautiful scenery and an amazing diversity of environments. We started out in the North Cascade National Park where there are 300 glaciers – more than anywhere else in the lower 48 states. Next we headed to the Pacific coast to go whale watching, hike in the temperate rain forests and explore the tide pools on the beach. We mentally prepared ourselves for non- stop rain  - we were pleasantly surprised when we had a few sunny days in the rain forest and along the coast!  The weather is a lot like Ireland – if it’s not raining then it’s a lovely day! 

Our favorite places along the way :

Beautiful scenery in the North Cascades National Park

 There's still lots of snow in the Cascades

One of those rare sunny days - we soaked it up!

Majestic mountains and a beautiful blue sky!

Whale watching  in the San Juan Islands

Click on the arrow to see the video of the Orca whale

 Hunting for their favorite food - Chinook salmon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Really cool - a freighter transporting yachts!

Mt Baker was out and so was the sun - a beautiful day in Port Townsend on the Olympic Peninsula....

The Hoh rain forest in the Olympic National Park - moss is growing every where!

A Roosevelt elk

The rocky, wild Pacific coastline on the Olympic peninsula

Cape Flattery - fantastic scenery at the most NW point in the lower 48

A fabulous campsite right on the Pacific Ocean!

Sunset at our campsite on the longest day of the year

Incredible sea stacks on the beach

Lovely scenery at Ruby beach

Tide pools full of starfish and anemones - it's so much fun exploring the tide pools!

The first blue starfish we have ever seen...

Just a few of the dozens of starfish and anemones

We love the northern Pacific coastline and are looking forward to continuing our journey south into Oregon. We're planning to spend the next 11 days exploring the entire length of the Oregon coast!