Trip Report
Dramatic peaks towered in the distance and a huge waterfall plummeted into the open grassland, wild flowers and birds thriving in this small ecosystem. Tracing the source of the waterfall on Google Maps revealed a small, bright blue pool (tarn) at the base of jagged, black cliffs. Again, I could find very few photographs of the area and I was immediately intrigued.
Read MoreWhen asked where to watch the “salmon run”, most local people online said you could see them “next to my huckleberry picking spot” or “my favorite elk hunting spot”. In Idaho, this is considered a polite way to say “f*** off”. With not much help from the locals, I realized I didn’t know much about these fish at all and decided to do some research.
Read MoreWinter is finally on the run and, with a few left over vacation days from 2020, Emily and I decided to head to Washington’s peninsula. Olympic National Forest is usually rainy around March, however the forecast seemed unusually warm. With the promising temperatures, we decided to take the Tesla and car camp. Emily and I have almost perfected making a cozy nest in the back, plus we have a free-super charging model so you can’t beat the price of transportation.
With COVID-19 measures still in place, we discovered a majority of the places we wanted to see within the Makah Reservation and Quileute Tribal lands were temporarily closed. That said, Olympic National Park was still open which accounted for plenty of beautiful hikes and places to explore.
After a quick 9 hour drive, we found a free camping area online close to the Olympic entrance. At 10:00 PM, we turned down the dirt road and quickly realized the mud and lake sized puddles would be a problem for our city-slicker EV. We reassessed and after some searching, we found a suitable pullout to spend the night.
Morning came quick and we started our drive into the Hoh Rainforest. The morning light weaved through the mossy trees and steam covered the Hoh River with a foggy blanket. We drove slowly, taking in the beautiful dawn colors around every turn, the last of which revealed to us an entire herd of Roosevelt Elk.
Delighted, we slowed to a crawl as Emily readied her camera. The elk seemed undeterred by our presence, a fact I partially attribute to our silent vehicle. We were able to take our time and captured several amazing photos before we decided we had overstayed our welcome and headed to the hiking trails.
We did the popular and leisurely Hall of Moss trail and were delighted to see bright green moss, ferns and clover despite being a little early for true spring colors. I hunted for a 4-leaf clover but to no avail. I looked it up afterwards and I’m not sure they even exist for this specific type of clover. Regardless, the weather was unbeatable and we ventured down another trail, the sun beaming in through the thick green canopy of ancient trees. This place felt new and unknown. It was undeniably beautiful and we enjoyed our short walk through a wonderland I hope to visit again soon.
We headed for Rialto Beach for sunset. The tide was very low so we were able to explore the famous Hole-in-the-Wall and saw lots of sea life in the tide pools. Growing up in the Bay Area, I always loved exploring during low tide and counting how many different creatures I could find. We took our chairs out and sat by a river flowing into the ocean and waited for sunset together. Numerous people attempted to cross this little river and a majority of them got wet in the process. It was quite funny watching all the creative ways people attempted to get across, especially when there was a huge log perfect for crossing just 30 feet up the river.
After sunset it was time to find a place to camp. We decided on a muddy pullout near Bear Lake. The next morning we drove to Sol Duc Falls for a quick hike. After, we drove to Ruby beach and enjoyed some much needed sun as it peaked around the mostly overcast sky.
For convenience, we decided to stay at the RV park in Port Angeles. The next morning we drove to Sequim and after hearing the weather report, we decided to take our time and let the storm pass, we took the ferry to Seattle and enjoyed the city before heading back home.
My buddy called me up and told me about this beautiful spot in the Alpine Lakes backcountry and getting there would take about 4 days. Apparently, there was an infinity pool, thousands of feet above two alpine lakes. “You have to see it to believe it” he said. He also told me it was gonna suck getting there.
Read MoreFor my birthday this year, Emily and I decided to meet up with my sister, brother and his wife in Southern Utah for 5 days of desert exploration! We wanted to take Rex the Van and, in a whirlwind of last minute work, we were able to insulate both walls, the floor and get a few placeholder walls up for the trip, not to mention new tires and an oil change!
Read MoreThe wind stopped. Chills ran down my spine as the temperature dropped 10 degrees in a matter of seconds. There was an unsettling silence across the lake. I took my photos and paused for a moment to just look up at the eclipse. Stars twinkled in the dark sky. I suddenly felt a feeling of wonderment mixed with anxiety. I felt small.
Read MoreMonumental cliffs set the backdrop for unique, towering stone pillars. The jungle was a vibrant green. Squinting, I could see tropical white birds, soaring through the infinite space between us and the volcanic peaks in the distance. This was Fatu Hiva.
Read MoreMonumental cliffs set the backdrop for unique, towering stone pillars. The jungle was a vibrant green. Squinting, I could see tropical white birds, soaring through the infinite space between us and the volcanic peaks in the distance. This was Fatu Hiva.
Read MoreEmily and I have been dying for a road trip, and with President’s weekend giving us a long weekend, we decided to pack up the Tesla and head for Oregon!
Read MoreWhat is Firefall? When does Firefall happen? Where can you watch Firefall? You're go-to source for the 2020 Firefall. I also dive into my Firefall 2019 trip report. So many things had to fall into place for these photos. The experience of a lifetime.
Read MoreMy French Polynesia honeymoon blog! We did things a little different. Known as one of the most remote island chains in the world, the Marquesas rise dramatically from the South Pacific, their jutting rock formations and lush jungles beckoning adventurers and explorers alike. We planned for 8 months before embarking on the trip of our lives.
Read MoreAfter saying our “I do’s” on Tubbs Hill, Emily and I returned to the house, threw together some last minute snacks and hit the road for Glacier National Park, one of our all-time favorite parks. Our last trip was a literal whirlwind of inclement weather, unexpected snow and dramatic overlooks.
Read MoreOur yearly eagle pilgrimage was a success! Despite wanting to go a few times, I found the prime months for eagle viewing slip by faster than expected. But before these beauties left for the season, Emily and I were able to make it to the lake.
Read MoreThe Schooner Zodiac was designed by William H. Hand, Jr., a renowned naval architect, and was built in 1924 in Maine. She has a rich history, traveling as far north as Labrador as well as participating in a yacht race from New York to Spain. After some time in San Francisco, she now operates out of Bellingham, offering evening sails and tours of the San Juans.
Read MoreI have this strange sort-of magnetism to the island that I cannot shake. I want to know everything there is to learn about the beautiful coastlines and how they were formed, the warriors that once called this place home, as well as the legends and traditions passed down through generations. I want to see everything there is to see, sleep next to the streams and battle the notorious north shore waves. For some reason, it feels like home.
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Years ago, while searching for local waterfalls, I stumbled on a picture of this spot. I didn’t fully believe it was in Idaho because of the moss and height, usually that’s a good sign its further west in Oregon or Washington. But then I saw some photos from a local photographer that said otherwise. Since then, I’ve been committed to finding this beautiful mossy grotto.
Read MoreFirst pioneered by John Muir in 1873, this straight shot for Whitney's summit is 9 miles round-trip with over 6000 feet of elevation gain. That's 6000 feet in 4.5 miles. And to top it off, a good 40% of the route is steep talus and skree.
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