Hurricane Ridge, Olympic National Park

My main nature goal this summer was to visit Hurricane Ridge.  We've never been before.  The past few weekends were forecasted for rain, and I couldn't stand it any longer!  Tuesday was sunny, so I begged Dan to take a one day vacation.  We were out the door at 8am and came home at around 10pm.  Phew! We need to start camping (or hoteling...) because one-day trips are exhausting!

First we stopped at a lavender farm in Sequim, WA.  Fortunately for us, it was the end of the season, and we were allowed to pick the lavender for FREEEEEE!  Picking flowers was a really big deal for Elena.  Up until this point, we've only let her pick weeds.  We really enjoyed the farm.

After the lavender farm, we drove through The Olympic Game Farm, also in Sequim WA.  We didn't like it.  Those animals looked malnourished.  The bears looked like they had gone insane.  We're never going back to that place.  NEVER!

And finally, we met up with our friend Kristin (with daughter Jane) and hiked at Hurricane Ridge.  It was beautiful.  We hiked 3 miles round trip to Hurricane Hill, where we saw views of the Olympic Mountains on one side, and the ocean on the other side.  The deer and marmots were among us.  CHECK!  Summer goal accomplished!

And of course, the evening ferry ride home was very much enjoyed.  This is an artistic photo by Dan.  Seattle looks like it's being sucked up by aliens.