May 10, 2015

We drove across the Columbia River and onto the Long Beach Peninsula in Washington today.  We stopped briefly at a couple of the communities and beach accesses along the way to our campsite for the night.

Long Beach, WA

Boardwalk walk at Long Beach, WA

We spent the night at Ocean City State Park, located about midway up the peninsula.  It was ok … but for $25/night with no hook-ups at all … and TONS of people … not my favorite.

There was a great long beach, appropriately named ‘Long Beach’, but it is fairly polluted with people, cars, horses, dogs etc. Not my idea of a great spot … and it’s not even summer yet! I think we’ll head further north and try to find some more secluded spots.

ocean city beach

Long Beach at Ocean City State Park

Long Beach at Ocean City State Park

Later …

We drove Hwy #101 past Quinault … at some future date we’ve got to go back there! There’s a lodge, Quinault Lake Lodge, that’s just magnificent! I’m not sure of the date of construction, but it looks fairly old and must have been quite the place in it’s day! It’s overlooking the lake which is quite beautiful … a good place to come back to and perhaps stay a few days. Apparently there’s some great waterfalls and hikes with giant trees to boot. Not that far from Port Angeles, so a good weekend getaway!

Lake Quinault Lodge

Onwards to the coast and Kalaloch Beach in Olympic National Forest. A smallish campground right on the ocean, and bonus – only $7 a night! Unfortunately, the weather has remained cool, cloudy, windy and threatening rain. We’ve got a great spot looking at beautiful ocean and waves, but it’s way too windy to sit out and enjoy it! Seems to be a problem on the wonderful ‘wet’ coast!

Kalaloch Campground

Kalaloch Beach

Tree barely hanging on on Kalaloch Beach

Tomorrow we’ll head out to Neah Bay and Cape Flattery. Even in bad weather it just might be spectacular!