Trip Report
We kept to I-5 until Kelso then along the west bank of the Cowlitz River through Vader, Winlock, Pe Ell, Raymond, and Shoalwater Reservoir to Westport, a fishing port on the south spit of Grays Harbor. Our second day took us through Aberdeen and Hoquiam, past Quinault Lake to the beaches at the mouth of the Queets, and at Ruby Beach, then through Forks and a side trip to LaPush, an Indian village at the mouth of the Quillayute River. Over night was at Lake Crescent Lodge, then we crossed the hills north to Crescent Beach and westward to Cape Flattery with an exciting walk down a poor trail to the overlook of Tatoosh Island. We visited the Makah Indian Museum with artifacts from Ozette Village now showing at Neah Bay, and then back via Sappho to Sol Duc Hotsprings and into Port Angeles.
Our group was up early to catch the first ferry to Victoria. The weather was very good so that walking around Victoria was pleasant. Most took in the museum, the Empress Hotel and the shops. We mostly returned on the last ferry. There was some delay standing in line and going through customs and immigration at both ends.
After our second night in Port Angeles we took off for Hurricane Ridge and found it quite clear so we could see the Olympic Peaks. The deer and marmots cooperated by showing themselves at the right times. From there we visited Port Townsend, a historic city so situated that it hoped to be an important city. The old brick buildings point to its former glory. After lunch in the park we headed via the floating bridge, now rebuilt, for Bremerton where we had an appointment to visit the Bremerton Naval Yards.
Our guide boarded our bus and took us past drydocks, submarines and several classes of naval ships explaining what they did with each. We did walk well into the largest of the shops where giant lathes could turn most any size of equipment needed for repair and rebuilding. Am sure we were all impressed with the size and cost of their work. That evening we stayed by Oyster Bay. Our last day brought us over the famous bridge at Tacoma, formerly called "Galloping Gertie" because of the wavelike motion of its deck before it broke. They learned by their mistakes and it seems quite stable now. Needing fuel caused us to go into Chehalis and by chance we parked near the Lewis County Historical Museum which contained many interesting features. We ate lunch at Lewis and Clark State Park opposite the Mt. St. Helens Visitor Center. We were welcomed there and almost immediately saw both the movie and then the shorter slide show. Both nicely covered the exciting events that transpired with the eruption of Mt. St. Helens. From there it was smooth sailing home. We had far better than average weather and covered all of our agenda. Our driver, John Goddard, piloted us both through thick and thin roads.
Travelers were Lois Baker, Margaret Baldwin, Carlene Beck, Evelyn Blackwell, Carol Bourgerie, Ingrid Carmichael, Ardis Ebbighausen, LaVerne Frazier, Bette Hack, Jane Hilt, Dee Kelley, Bea Lefevre, Bee Meserole, Frances Newsom, Ralph Ohlson, Jan Pattison, Lois Person, Adam Pfitzer, Dorothy Scherer, Lois Schreiner, Frank and Maryelton Schutz, Robin Steussy, Paula Vehrs, Mildred Weatherby, and co-leaders Bill Eaton and Ewart Baldwin.
