wetcw@pyuxa.UUCP (T C Wheeler) (04/18/84)
This is another note to whoever wanted to know what to do up in the Great Northwest this summer. The article was posted several weeks ago. Get a copy of the latest National Geographic. There is an interesting article on the Olympic Peninsula this month. The author only seemed to have traveled around the edges of the Park, but did present some things to see and do. Port Townsend is a gas, especially on Sunday morning when the ferry comes in from the other side. What a strange mob gets off. If you take the trip around the loop, be sure to stop at Lake Quinault. Better yet, stay at the Lodge and use it as a jumping off point to the many sights in that area. (BTW, Port Townsend is where many scenes from the movie "An Officer and a Gentleman" were filmed.) Other than sand, sea, trees, and big mean loggers, the Pacific side of the peninsula is pretty barren. If you are into old style machismo, Forks is the place to visit. I once saw a guy carry a huge refrigerator out to his pickup truck on his back as a forest fire approached the town. Then again, Wishkaw Street in Aberdeen used to be quite a sight on Saturday night. Also, don't argue with the logging trucks. They don't stop for anything. You see, a quick stop causes the logs to shift forward, taking the cab off the truck. You probably won't find any more beautiful scenery anywhere (when it isn't raining - up to 140 inches per year). Take a Ferry trip across the sound if you want to see mountains that will take your breath away. For eating, try Oly oysters in Shelton, Dunguness crabs anywhere, Razor clam chowder in Moclips, and Salmon every time you get the chance. Be sure to order the Crab Louie for a real Northwest treat. For the hiker, try the trails around Quinault. You can take an overnighter to the top of Colonel Bob that will open your eyes. For the more serious adventurer, you can tramp the trails from North to South (or visa versa) over the Olympic range. There are chalets along the way for hikers. Not the fancy dan types, just places to rest overnight. Bring your own goodies, they are only campsites. Once you venture more than a few miles into the Park, it is like being in another world. There are just not too many people who get off the beaten path in there. There was a time when I could start at the back door of my house and hike all the way over the range to the Straits without seeing another person and crossing only two roads, about 70 miles. Enough, my eyes are misting up I miss the place so much. T. C. Wheeler