Pass the Forks

July 1, 2015

Flying high into Washington

Today was an amazing day for the Constantine Dolphin Hunters. Last night, we pointed Dolly the Dolphin North on US 101 and traveled across the Astoria Columbia River Bridge, which is about the highest bridge I've ever been on. And it's narrow - barely wide enough for two oncoming RVs. We traveled up the coast to the Olympic National Forest and settled in the town of Forks, made famous when the Twilight series was filmed here.

Dennis & the boys in Hoh Rainforest

We started the day going to the Hoh Rainforest inside the Olympic National Forest. It claims to be one of the wettest spots on Earth and is representative of the huge rainforest that at one time covered all of Northwestern America. It happened that it was a hot sunny day, and we heard complaints from the locals about the unseasonable 85 degree weather. We felt fortunate to be able to walk the floor of the rainforest amidst the ferns and greenery. It was a magical place and one where we could see ourselves spending much time in the future. But, it was time to move on and head to the beach.

The ocean talks to me at Ruby Beach

Sitting on Ruby Beach and listening to the roar of the Pacific Ocean reminds me how precious this world is. I need to stop and connect with life, whether it's listening to my heartbeat, my breath, the wind through the tall pine trees, the stream rushing down the mountain, the birds singing; this is the sound of life. This time of inner connection gives perspective to what's really important in my life.

And peace will come inside. So quiet.

Back to Forks, we had a nice dinner grilling fresh fish and hanging out talking with neighbors who spent the last month traveling to the West from Connecticut. Tomorrow morning, it will be time to head to the Puget Sound, where we'll camp through the 4th of July in the Norwegian-themed town Poulsbo. See you on the road!