A Jaunt on the Route Less Traveled
Impressive Vistas. Rugged Coastlines. Driving the Washington State Route 112 is spectacular along this 61-mile National Scenic Byway that takes you on the northern edge of the Olympic Peninsula coastline. The Strait connects the Pacific Ocean with Puget Sound. 22 miles to the North across the water, you can see Canada’s Vancouver Island. The coastal communities are interesting and each one unique; Joyce, Clallam Bay, Sekiu, Neah Bay/Cape Flattery (home of the Makah Reservation).
Pictured above is the Trailhead; a beautifully lush cedar-planked boardwalk leading to a magnificent view of the Tahoosh Island Lighthouse. We spotted Puffins, and other shorebirds making nests on the cliffside while seals were happily swimming in the rough waters below. Brightly colored orange starfish were seen too hanging onto the sides of rocks right at the pounding waterline. A Paradise.
Took a short detour down to Shi Shi Beach
Still within the Makah Reservation, we drove south along the coastline to stop off at Hobuck Beach and Shi Shi Beach to get up close to the water and discovered all kinds of life teeming in the tide pools. The rock shapes created by the tides were artistically beautiful unto themselves. I could’ve stayed and play all day here.
Pics of the Tide Pool Beaches (part of album 37)
Lake Crescent
For a different route coming home, we decided to take Hwy 113 and loop around the 101 to hug the southern shores of Lake Crescent. That was a hard decision to make, as the trip westward was so scenic, but this route certainly did not disappoint either.
This lake is 12 miles long, and the deep, clear, turquoise waters are no lie. Stunning! We stopped at the Marymere Falls trail, and saw the quaint national park lodge/cabin that was built in 1916, highlighted by grazing deer out in the wildflower pasture.
To wrap up the full day, we landed in Port Angeles to have dinner and view an amazing sunset, admiring the skies and the ships cruising along in the Strait.