Road trip to Washington State's Olympic Peninsula ...

Spring has arrived and the weather is perfect for hitting the trails and the rocks, but first I have to head to Port Angeles for a little continuing education.  Just across the bay from Seattle, Port Angeles is a great place for exploring the Olympic Peninsula. Mountains, beaches, and lots of water to enjoy, and off course to learn - I'm updating my mediation skills and a little legal continuing education.  My class was over two weekends, which left my weekdays free to explore.




After a full weekend of learning it was time to do a little exploring.  After a trip back across the infamous Tacoma Narrows bridge, the first stop was Mount Vernon, where I visited the Washington State University research facility to learn more about cider apples.

The facility has studied and analyzed more than 80 varieties of cider apples and I got a little inside information on how to make an even better hard cider.  Even if you're not into cider apples, anyone interested in gardening or cooking (they have a great collection of edible flowers and herbs) should make time to stop by and walk the grounds.

The weather was perfect, especially for the Seattle area, so I headed up to hike around the Mount Baker- Snoqualmie National Forest.  As a side note the I-5 Skagit River Bridge that I used several times in and around Mt. Vernon collapsed two weeks later.

I made my way back to Port Angeles by way of Deception Pass to Whidbey Isalnd to catch the last Ferry to Port Townsend.  A nice relaxed drive during the week and great views of the islands and Seattle - just a perfectly clear day.  If the weather was like this all the time, I could live in Seattle.

One last hike before I making my way back to Spokane is Hurricane Ridge just outside of Port Angeles in the incredible Olympic National Park.  Even if you don't want to hike all the way up, the park has great views below with plenty of trails and streams.




When you're in Port Angeles, be sure to stop in the Next Door Gastropub for a bite and a pint or two.  They have good selection of Pacific Northwest beers on tap and great burgers.