Spring Break 2013 ~ Olympic Peninsula
Great Wolf Lodge:
We had a wonderful (and not so wonderful) week of adventures for Spring Break 2013. Unfortunately, while camping, we all came down with the stomach flu at one point or another except one of us who came down with a terrible chest and head cold. Thankfully, we still ended up having a great time despite the sickness.
My sister and her family met up with us in Portland and we headed down the road in our motor homes. First stop was The Great Wolf Lodge for some swimming fun. This hotel was swarming with children – they literally outnumbered all of the adults, including hotel staff. We had a blast in the water park and water slides and we also had so much fun doing their magic wand adventure.
Ready to play!
Wave pool
My daughter and I having a blast on the water slides!
Lake Quilnalt:
We left the hotel the following day and headed to our second stop, Lake Quinalt. We had fun climbing the biggest spruce tree in the world, throwing rocks in the lake, playing Frisbee, and other fun camping games as well as eating a delicious salmon dinner at the local seafood restaurant.
My son climbing the worlds largest spruce tree (over 1000 years old)
Me and my sister Dana
Sunset on the lake
Kalaloch Campground:
We moved on to the Kalaloch campground and had a nice time walking the beach, collecting rocks, playing scrabble, doing archery, and hanging out together. The next day we did some more rock collecting on the beach before heading to our next destination.
My favorite kids
Scrabble time!
Thankfully, he didn’t really push her
Me and my guy
Watching the waves (love the reflection)
Hoh Rainforest:
Our next stop was the Hoh Rainforest where we had a great day hanging out at the campground, checking out the river, and watching a movie around the fire. The following day we went on a nice hike in the Hoh Rainforest before going to our next destination.
Creepy yet beautiful
Trees growing out of fallen trees
Chilling after our little hike
Love the mossy trees
Sol Duc Hot Springs:
We headed down the road to our next stop which was the Sol Duc hot springs. We soaked in the natural hot springs for a few hours then settled in for a nice dinner and a Harry Potter movie.
The natural hot springs pool
We all loved seeing the deer roaming all over
Sequest State Park:
We left Sul Doc and headed to Sequest State Park near Mount St. Helens. The state park was beautiful and the kids played at the playground and did some archery for awhile before we huddled around the fire, read books, and enjoyed some dinner before heading to bed.
We took a quick stop for a photo of beautiful Lake Crescent
Group shot on our last night together
Mount St. Helens
The following day we headed back home to Portland while my sister and her family headed back to Idaho. If you ever get a chance to see the Olympic Peninsula and Hoh Rainforest in Washington, you should do it – it is stunning! I will be back to posting recipes tomorrow… I hope.
Looks like you had a lovely time during your week off. Happy Easter!
How fun! Glad you guys had a great time.
Adorable y guapisima familia, preciosas fotos de unos maravillosos lugares.
Pam, me alegro de que hayas pasado unos dias tan fabulosos.
Un abrazo.
Ugh! That stomach bug is horrible! We keep an essential oil blend on hand for those stomach viruses. It will stop most of them cold. It is Digestive Defense and you can get it from Heritage Essential Oils dot com. If the bug strikes we put one drop on the back of our hand and lick it off, which is so that the dose can be controlled. I have never had to use it myself but I have it on good authority that it tastes foul. Better than the bug though I would think! Essential oils will keep for decades so it is not a bad thing to order some and keep it on hand. I always pack it when we travel along with Emergen C which will stop food poisoning if you use 3 packs in 8 ounces of water.
Correction–it is Digestive Support
Aww I’m sorry the kiddos got sick but it sounds like you guys made the best of it and had a great time nonetheless!
Gorgeous pictures!! Love that area of the country!! Sorry the kids got sick.
What a great trip to take your kids on – it had a little bit of everything for them, but too bad some were sick for awhile. Take it from an old guy – life is all about making memories and looks like you guys made a lot of them. With all you did, your school system must either have a two week spring break or you guys were tired when you got home :-).
Sorry to hear about being sick on your vacation, but what a neat trip. What do you cook when you are in your RV? I need some ideas on that. Thanks!
Beth,
I cook simple food and old recipes that my family loves but I don’t cook often because I am always trying new recipes. Usually, steaks, chops, chicken, soups, spaghetti, etc. I have a crockpot in my rig that I use a lot too.
Pam
How fun! I love visiting the Olympic peninsula. We actually stopped there for some hiking on the way to our Honeymoon in Victoria BC. And I used to go camping at Lake Quinalt when I was a kid 😀 Sorry that you ended up with a bug while you were out there! That’s the worst 🙁
Great pictures. I’d like to go back to Washington state and visit the Olympic peninsula.
Great pictures! You were in our neck of the woods! Just a couple of corrections, it’s the Hoh Rainforest, and Lake Crescent. Your photo of Lake Crescent captured all it’s beauty. It’s my favorite place to swim between 4th of July and late September!
Thank you! I typed it up so quickly last night I have found several errors this morning. Your area is stunning & we can’t wait to go back for a visit.
Pam
Now that’s what I call a fun spring break! Looks like it was a fabulous time spent with family. Thanks for sharing, Pam. Hopefully you’re all feeling better now!
Looks like a wonderful vacation.
I have lived in Washington State for almost 8 years and have yet to visit the Hoh Rain Forest. I’ve only been to Port Angeles on that “loop” and am dying to do the rest. Thanks for the pictures – it gives me more motivation to plan a weekend trip around the Olympic Peninsula.
Beautiful photos, Pam. Love the group click…A sweet family.
It looks like a wonderful vacation. It’s wonderful that your family and your sister’s family spend so much time together. And I can’t believe how much taller than you your sister is! Welcome home!
Looks like a beautiful vacation!
I went to natural hot springs almost 20 years ago. I need to go back!
What a wonderful trip. Memories to last a lifetime!
hi, I am interested in using your picture of the fallen tree. can I pay you for the use of the picture?
Madelyn