One Of The Many Falls At The Lake Quinalult National Recreation Area.

This just happens to be the fall where Darren fell in.

After Darren had changed, we took out and did a nature trail which had another water fall to see too. (No falling into this one.) The trail had snow and ice on it, and the bridges were completely iced over. So we only did the 1.7 mile trail.

We ate lunch at the Lake Quinault Lodge. Pres. Franklin  D. Roosevelt actually stayed at this lodge  in 1939.(I think that was the yr.)  It was because of this trip that he had this declared a "National Forrest". The lodge was beautiful, and the food was  good, but expensive. I think a hamburger was like $13.00. But it was the only place open for lunch that day. That's why I said next time we go, we will be taking our own food to stock our little kitchen, there at the Lake Quinault Resort Village.

That's another good reason to get a cabin. You can cook your own meals to help save money as opposed to the other lodge up there which just had sleeping rooms. Plus, did I tell you how immaculately clean our cabin was, and how we soooo enjoyed our stay. For just stumbling into this place, we sure lucked out.We found out by talking to Julie at the office/store, that this place was owned by three brother's by the name of Morrison's. Two of the brother's take care of the business end, and one takes care of the maintenance. Let me tell you, you will not be disappointed. They even had daily maid service! (We've stayed at cabin's where you don't get it each day.)

So just in case you need that website again to the Lake Quinault Rain Resort Village  www.rainforestresort.com

Before we lost sunlight we took the drive around the lake. Some of the road is paved and the other half is not. This area has some of the most awesome sights you'll see. It's funny because you're in this rain forest and yet it has snow, barren trees, then the trees that looked like you expected to be in a rain forest.

CAN YOU GUESS WHAT HAPPENED?

I have had a really busy and full day. Too pooped and tired to give the story. But here are some pics. So here is the gist of it. Husband, waterfall, slips, falls into frigid water. I try to help him, I slip and fall flat on my butt. Poor teenage daughter with both arms stretched out-one for her dad and one for me. Who should she save first? Hum, hypothermia? Get Dad out first.




Darren running to the truck to get out of the soon to be frozen clothes. His entire body went down into the base of the waterfall.



It used to be said that my guardian angels took tranquilizers in order to keep up with me. Now, I think we have a team of angels trying to keep up with my family.

THROUGH MARGIE'S CABIN WINDOW

This was a view from our bedroom. We could hear the stream and it just made our sleep so much better.



This is the view from standing at the kitchen sink. If you look hard you can see the lake in the background. Washing dishes with this view can be an actual pleasure. SHHHHHH don't tell my family. Hee Hee



View  from the side kitchen window. Is this not beautiful!? You know how when you're stressed, and you're told to go to a peaceful place in your mind to be able to relax? Here it is.



Our first night there, we still had about an hour of sunlight left, so we walked down to see the the World's Largest Sitka Spruce Tree. It was ONLY  .3 miles from our cabin!

As we walked back up to the cabin the sun was just going down, giving the most beautiful  orange -golden sunset. Because we didn't have food with us to have cooked in our kitchen, we walked up to the Salmon House Restaurant for dinner. The portions were so large we took our left overs back to make another meal with it. The food was delicious.

The next time we go, and I mean when we go, not if we go back, we will be more prepared and take our food in with us. The closest food store is back in Aberdeen. The little store at the resort had bread, milk, and cereal and souvenirs, but I would have liked to really made a nice meal or two while there.

Okay, before I forget, I wanted to let you know this resort is three hours from Seattle, WA, three and a half hours from Portland, OR, and only two and a half hours from Tacoma, WA. Also, here is their website in case you would love to go experience this yourselves. http://www.rainforestresort.com/

Now for tomorrow, let me just say it has a potential for hypothermia, possible chance of "help I've fallen down and I can't get up", and once again another moment of "We could have won a million with America's Funniest Home Video's".

ARE WE THERE YET?

Continuing up the coast we decided to go to Ocean Shores. Here you can actually drive on the ocean shoreline.  You had the waves rushing up to you as you drive along. We saw where you could rent horses to ride along the beach. People were riding mopeds up and down the beach too. Hundreds of cars, RV's, and camp trailers were parked and people were setting up camp for the weekend right on the sandy beach itself!

The sun was shining with clear blue skies and kids were running and playing in the sand. Beautiful bright colorful kites of all shapes and sizes were whipping in the windy sky.

"I want to ride a horse on the beach", I squeal. My husband's says "Me too". Our youngest daughter informs us she only wants to "pet" a horse. And our other daughter is like "I don't want to do any of that, I have to keep myself injury free, for the military".

There was an anonymous vote to rent mopeds and do the touristy thing, like riding them down the beach and back. Because of the time of day, we decided to go get our hotel room first, and then go out and have some fun.

RAIN FOREST RESORT VILLAGE



We went to three different hotels. NO VACANCY. At the last place, the front desk was turning away so many people that they had actually called a 25 mile radius to find anything open or available. Nothing. They suggested maybe we go over to Lake Quinault and see if they had anything. It was an hour away! Turns out that this weekend was not only Presidents Day Holiday, it was also some big clam digging event.

Totally disappointed, we knew we would figure out something to do over at  "Lake Quinalut". Besides, we where on an adventure and our plans had no plans.



As we are approaching this place we realized it was part of the rain forest. My goodness it was so spectacular. Even in Feb. Darren had called ahead to the Rain Forrest Resort Village and found the last cabin available and we took it.



As we drove up, tired from driving all day, hungry, we walked into the store where you check in and were greeted by the most welcoming woman you'll ever meet. Her name was Julie, she was so informative and gave us all kids of maps of the different trails to hike. We asked her alot of questions about the area and she was so sweet answering all of them.



 When we opened our cabin door, the fireplace was already on welcoming us. This place was the best surprise of a great adventure you could ask for. We suddenly were not tired at all. And there was much we wanted to do. 

 We had a two bedroom cabin. Look how nice these beds are! 



CHECK OUT OUR JACUZZI !



Tomorrow, I'll show more pictures and of course another moment in our trip that will tickle you. Because, we all know that wherever we go things happen!