Tucked away in the very Northwest corner of the continental United States is Washington's Olympic Peninsula, a lush green paradise begging to be explored. I'm not exaggerating when I say that the Olympic Peninsula literally has everything an explorer could ever want: it's got mountains, beaches, rainforests, castles, big cities...and you don't even have to leave the state of Washington to see it all. Set off around the peninsula for the most epic road trip of all time!
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Seattle is the perfect starting point for the drive; fuel up on java from one of their many quirky coffee shops and, if you're feeling adventurous, you can check out some certifiably bad art at the Official Bad Art Museum of Art (twist...it's also located in a quirky coffee shop). Then, leave the bustling city behind to spend some quality time with Mother Nature-- but stop by Chateau Ste Michelle for a wine tasting on your way out!
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I could dedicate a whole blog just to Olympic National Park, and it still wouldn't even scratch the surface of everything the park has to offer; they've got the surreal Hoh Rainforest, which once stretched from Washington to central California, the lovely Ruby Beach (especially impressive at sunset), the roaring Sol Duc Falls, where you can spot salmon and so much more. And, no road trip through Olympic National Park would be complete without driving along Hurricane Ridge!
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Other natural wonders along the trip include the Dungeness Spit, a sandy, beachy wildlife reserve and a giant redwood toppled by waves, laying on the beach. Mount Rainier National Park isn't technically on the peninsula, but it's well worth the side trip. Picnic in the wildflower meadows, or hike up the mountains for some of the best scenery in the country.
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The accomdations on the peninsula are just as impressive as the scenery. For the brooding romantic, there's the possibly-haunted Manresa Castle; for those who want something quaint and cozy, there's always the Red Caboose Getaway Company; those who want to unwind can book a stay in a rustic lodge; or, for those who can't resist charm and whimsy, there's the Cedar Creek Treehouse-- it's so awesome, you may decide to just stay there for the whole trip...and who could blame you??
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