It's official...

We are in Washington.

Wonder why we wanted to get back?

I put a couple of work days under my belt, the hospitals seem just fine so far thank you.  Today was my first day off and we decided to go out and explore a little.  Of course, I had to do a run first.  There is a marathon coming up in a few months and I want to be ready.   The last mile and a half of the run is uphill.  Nothing like a hill to make you want to quit...and proud when you don't.

This picture in no way captures the true obscenity that is this hill.

After that, we set out driving north.  Because we heard it was pretty that direction.  It turned out to be a fabulous day for north.  We didn't really have any plans and only had a vague sense of the geography.  We even left the maps in the truck.  Didn't matter.

North turned out to be very pretty.

We passed over the Hood Canal bridge and onto the Olympic Peninsula proper.  Along the way we passed a sign for something called the Dungeness Trail.  Well, that sounded promising, so we turned. 

Further investigation will be needed.

The roads turned steep, windy and poor.  Luckily we have Hondo, the Adventure Car! Hondo is ready for anything. 

Not pictured, the places with 500 foot drops off one side.  You are welcome Mom.

There were neat little scenic turnouts which we used.  There was just too much pretty not to check it out.

Then we arrived at the trail head.  We paid our fee and started wandering around.

This ain't Kansas, they grow trees a little bigger here.

No, I mean bigger.

A pleasant rushing river to accompany our hike. 

Then we found the trail itself and started out.  It was a beautiful day with a fabulous trail in the Olympic National Forest.  The trail apparently can go for around 8 miles and up to 6000 feet.  We knew we wouldn't do that much.  It was good enough just to get out and go until we wanted to turn back. 

Gorgeous family on the beautiful trail

Looked like fun, but you know there was no way she was letting me cross it.

HAHAHAAAA.  I had to give her the car keys, but she let me do it!

Our amateur mycologist at work

Spring is springing here.

"Michael, just stand right there for a second." "Why?"

See, I'm not the only adventure climber.

This is my cathedral.

My kids in my cathedral. 

Excited mycologist

It was a beautiful day.  So clear that, from just behind the RV park, you could see Mt. Rainier. 

That is one impressive mountain.

I'll leave you with this last picture.  It was taken a day or two ago during sunset from the mobile home/RV park where we stay.  I think it is Mt. Constance, but I honestly don't know for sure.