Cape Flattery

Elwha Dam RV Park
Port Angeles, WA
July 15, 2018

Joe and I are having a great time in Port Angeles and  Elwha Dam RV Park has turned out to be the perfect place for us to call home.   Most mornings, the "neigh"bors and I get together to share a few laughs.  They sure have some stories to share !    

We are located in a good spot to head east or west. It's easy to find really good stuff to explore in both directions.  Cape Flattery is one of those picturesque places that I have wanted to visit for along time.  

The furthest northwest tip of the contiguous U.S. is about 70 miles west of us on Hwy 112, better known as The Strait of Juan de Fuca National Scenic Byway.

This scenic byway first began as walking trails between logging and fishing communities for such activities as baseball games, dancing, education and missionary efforts.  The baseball teams of the logging camps provide an example of how the Strait of Juan de Fuca Scenic Byway affected the culture and activities of early residents.  

It became a National Scenic Byway in 2000 and continues to be a vital link connecting the people, landscape and culture of the Northwest Coast.  

Neah Bay (located at the far northwestern tip of the Olympic Peninsula)  is a small fishing village and home to the Makah Indian Tribe who have inhabited this region for more than 3,800 years. They refer to themselves as Kwih-dich-chuh-ahtx  which translates to "the people who live by the rocks and seagulls"...so fitting since their region is flanked by the Pacific Ocean and the Strait of Juan de Fuca and surrounded by steep rugged cliffs and lush forests.  



Cape Flattery and Tatoosh Island are managed by the Makah Indians.  And what a great job they do.  





Walking sticks are provided at the kiosk as you begin.

The well maintained trail leads through a forest of old-growth trees 200+ years old. 

 Boardwalks cover marshy area...

stumps help out in muddy areas...
   

and in some places nature provides steps.














Its a short 1.5 miles round trip hike. All down hill out to the point, we knew what that meant.  At the end of the trail, there are several viewing platforms.  The first of these really did take my break away. 

I had read the second viewing area was a good place to see Puffins so I lingered extra time hoping...

The last viewing area is at the point.  From here we saw Tatoosh Island.  It is the largest of a small group of islands about 1/2 mile offshore of Cape Flattery.  The island's name comes from a Makah chief.  






The small island has been home to the Cape Flattery Light since 1857.  The light was among the first group of U.S. navigational stations built on the west coast.  In fact, I read that the lighthouse at Point Loma in San Diego was in this first group too.  When it was completed, the "light" was too big to fit so it was shipped to Cape Flattery and used there.  

The Strait is 10 to 18 miles wide and serves as the regional International Boundary between the U.S. and Canada.   

Vancouver Island, BC, Canada

Cape Flattery should definitely be on everyone's to do list when visiting the Olympic Peninsula.  We were fortunate to have a clear, sunny day for our visit.  It's incredibly beautiful.  It's also a popular stop.  Even though the parking lot was almost full when we arrived (about 11:00 am), the trail and viewing areas did not seem all that crowded.  

Until next time, 

   HAPPY TRAILS !

A Radicool Tide pool Area...Salt Creek Recreation Area

Elwha Dam RV Park
Port Angeles, WA
July 13, 2018

Yesterday was a most exciting day for me.  The low tide was at the perfect time of day and the weather was amazingly gorgeous.  Our destination, Tongue Point Marine Life Sanctuary,  is about 15 miles from home located in the Salt Creek Recreation Area on Camp Hayden Rd. 

Camp Hayden is home to remnants of the WWll-era.  


Several bunkers and forts were built along the Strait of Juan de Fuca to protect the Puget Sound and the Naval Shipyard at Bremerton.

Tongue Point is so photogenic.  I've enjoyed pictures of this point for years so imagine how excited I was to be taking my own.  

From the parking lot...

it's a short hike to the concrete steps that drop to the ocean floor.

 Just look at all the exploring that waits ahead !

Tongue Point Marine Life Sanctuary is the eastern most open rock intertidal habitat in the Strait of Juan de Fuca.  In one article I read, these tide pools that jut out from Crescent Bay are deemed world famous by marine biologists and tourists.

Joe waited at the steps.  He kept my camera.  The seaweed makes exploring very slippery...I couldn't afford to slip and fall with camera in hand so all the photos were taken with my phone.

Crab in a mussel shell

A mama river otter swims toward her den. I was really disappointed I didn't have my camera for these photos.

Mama River Otter with two pups...so adorable and playful! 

Algea

Green Sea Anemone

Purple Starfish...Ochre Starfish

Blood Starfish

Red Sea Urchin

Purple Sea Urchin

 

Velvety Red Sponge

I ventured as far out onto the point as I could.

I carefully made my way over to the beach area.

Goose-neck Barnacles

I can't say enough about my adventure in the tide pools.  I loved every second I was there. 

So until next time, enjoy your adventure and...

 HAPPY TRAILS!

 I almost forgot...when we were back at the jeep having a snack and water, we had visitors.

Mountain Beaver...not really a beaver, but so named because they gnaw bark and cut off limbs in a manner to true beavers.  Also believed to be the world's most primitive living rodent species. Mountain Beavers live in moist forests and ferny slopes. 

Black-tailed mama deer and fawn