Quinault Beach Resort and Casino

"The ocean stirs the heart, inspires the imagination and brings eternal joy to the soul"

Wyland

After leaving Sol Duc Valley, we just could not get Olympic National Park out of our system. We were addicted. So we tried to stay one more night at the most southern point of the park, the Quinault Rain Forest. Unfortunately, the National Park Service Campgrounds would only accommodate tent campers. Although we were bummed, it was pretty cool knowing that some parks stay "pure" to the true way of outdoor camping. So off we went southwest, grateful for the awesome experiences we had in Olympic.

Located on the beach at Ocean Shores, Washington, Quinault Beach Resort and Casino proved to be quite a find. Surrounded by the majestic Pacific Ocean and nestled amidst over 200 acres of protected wetlands, the resort and it's grounds were pretty cool. The resort is an enterprise of The Quinault Indian Reservation. Their world is a land of magnificent forests, swift-flowing rivers, gleaming lakes and 23 miles of unspoiled Pacific coastline. Another example of the extensive Native American influence in Washington.

And our stay was FREE, FREE, FREE. Here we had a beachfront gravel site that was 27' x 60' large, miles of beach walking, a casino that offers free wi-fi in it's very relaxing lounge, three restaurants with good food and for other gambling souls, rows of slots and tables that choose not to pay you sh@#.  It was no brainer that we changed our mind of staying just one night into three nights, (granted, hindsight did slap us...we shoulda, coulda stayed one more night at Sol Duc with Patrick and Cheryl). Our third day at Quinalt was on a "game day" and we got to experience the #12 phenomena!  Sunday morning gave us an opportunity to sit down to a fabulous brunch with a beach side table and front row seats to view all the fervent Seattle Seahawks fans arrive at the sports bar and demonstrate their 12th man power.

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At Waypoint 47.041400-124.170460 

Salt Creek Recreation Area

"The language of friends is not words, but meanings"

Henry David Thoreau

RV living can be golden when your campsites mirror each other, i.e.beauty for beauty (and your rig easily fits your site). Well that was our lucky draw as we left Paradise Bay in Port Ludlow and arrived at Salt Creek Recreation Area in Port Angeles. Although this campground was full and our sites were close together, this brief relocation turned out to be perfect, as it was a gathering of dear friends. Patrick and Cheryl and Dick and Melinda joined us for some hugs, laughs, story telling (they love my embellished rants) and "catch up" time. And for all of us to choose a "normal campground" versus our beloved preference of boondocking, this reunion had to be special. 

Parked on the sea cliffs of the Pacific, with panoramic views of the Strait of Juan De Fuca, Crescent Bay and Vancouver Island, Canada, this County Park is truly a gem and the perfect setting for exploration and discovery.

Salt Creek is recognized to be the home to some of the most exceptional tide pools in the Northwest...ALMOST as wonderful as our own beloved central coast. Low tides will provide you a bountiful array of sea life to view not only at Tongue Point Marine Sanctuary, but on the shoreline of the entire bluff campground. 

Birdwatchers can keep those binocs and spotting scopes warm most of the day with the many different sea birds to see on the cliffs, water and in the air. Not to be outdone for camera time, playful otters can be seen diving for food or lazily floating atop the rhythmic shoreline swells.

Casual walking trails or more challenging hikes also entertained us during our stay. We attempted a short hike with some great views of the coastline below us, but halfway through our hike we chose to turn around. After the recent rains, the trail was extremely slick and proved to be unsafe. No chances would be taken to be a Humpty Dumpty.

From the campground you had a front row seat to watch the many container ships, tankers, freighters, cruise ships and maybe an occasional submarine pass through the Strait of Juan De Fuca. We were fortunate to have a Trident Submarine sighting as it worked it's way up the coast toward us. Flanked on each side by large tenders, we anxiously awaited it's arrival with binoculars and ready cameras. Unfortunately, prior to reaching our viewing station, and for whatever reason, the sub made a U-turn and headed full speed out to open water. 

The Salt Creek Recreation Area was previously Camp Hayden, a harbor defense military camp during World War II. The remnants of Camp Hayden, two concrete bunkers which housed 16" cannons are still there to view with interpretive boards providing many historical facts.

We had a wonderful stay here and reconnecting with friends is perfect no matter where we are. After many days together, carving our initials in two states, Dick and Melinda had to head back home. We don't like goodbyes...so we try to avoid them. Our time away from each other is only an intermission, like pressing a "pause" button. Those wonderful elebrations with each other will always resume somewhere down the road... 

As we made that dreaded U-Turn south, we could see the shores of Canada beckoning and are looking forward to a return to the northwest and beyond!!! We are still yearning to explore more of Olympic National Park, so from here we will stay flexible to exercise the chance to explore another magical destination within the park's boundaries. Desire and time are key ingredients to manifestation. 

At Waypoint 48.165000-123.699040

Paradise Bay

“The Earth does not belong to man; Man belongs to the Earth. 
This we know. 
All things are connected like the blood which unites one family. 
Whatever befalls the Earth befalls the sons of the Earth. 
Man did not weave the web of life, he is merely a strand in it. 
Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself.” 

Chief Seattle

We accepted the generous offer of our dear friend Pat to utilize her RV lot in the Paradise Bay development of Port Ludlow. And using her lot as our base turned out to be the perfect decision. First and foremost, her waterfront lot offered a front row view of the Hood Canal of Puget Sound. As we relaxed on her raised patio each afternoon, our unobstructed view of the waterfront and a few special rainbows proved to be priceless…it is so true…location, location, location.

And a short distance down the street was our own private beach along the rocky shoreline. The local part time bubble maker happened to be there to entertain all and any beachcombers during our stay.

Second, Port Ludlow is centrally located to many ports, i.e. Port Gamble, Port Townsend and Port Angeles. The town is situated near the Hood Canal Floating Bridge, which connects the Olympic and Kitsap Peninsulas. Each day we waited for one of the Navy’s Triton Submarines to maneuver through the bridge and down the Hood Canal...but we only got all hot and bothered...no sub cruised by us. We could have hopped on a ferry to Whidbey Island, Seattle or even Vancouver, but decided to stick to the "peninsula" during this stay as we were there over the Labor Day Weekend.  A huge thank you dear Pat for giving us the opportunity to visit some of the most scenic Washington ports and attractions of the Sound.  We'll be baaaaaack!!

On one afternoon we crossed the floating bridge over to the Kitsap Peninsula. We first visited the town of Suquamish and the Suquamish Tribal Cemetery to view the gravesite of Chief Seathl, aka Chief Seattle...for whom the city of Seattle was named after. Than we did a quick tour of the small community or Port Gamble on the northwestern shore of the peninsula. Our visit was brief but interesting, for there is a wide range of historical buildings lining the street for visitors to browse.

In Port Townsend we walked most of the shoreline embarcadero, practicing being "consumers." We did a lot of window shopping, visited a few cool shops and came across some unique items to be used in our rig. 

We bid farewell to this special place called Paradise Bay, the kind neighbors we met and the beautiful views. It was off to explore more of the Olympic Peninsula. We love you Pat!

At Waypoint 47.897902º-122.648622º