A lake, a ferry and many mountains

Lake Quinault is located in the Olympic National Forest in a region that hosts a temperate rainforest. The lake itself is carved by glaciers and the crystal clear waters reflect the myriad shades of green that cover the mountains around it. The Quinault Indian Reservation is located here and fishing permits are required for interested fishing enthusiasts. There is a boat tour that is popular during summer months and several hiking trails. About a mile from the lodge that is located on the water’s edge is the world’s largest Sitka Spruce tree. Every tree in the forest is huge. Some stretch up to the sun as far as the eye can see and others lie horizontal on the slopes, floored by frequent storms. The rainforest has a green carpet with every inch of space providing sustenance to all kinds and sizes of life forms. Around 120 to 167 inches of rain falls in this region annually.

We enjoyed dinner in the Roosevelt Room restaurant, named after the most famous visitor to the Lodge, President Franklin Roosevelt. Spectacular lake views are available from every table in the elegantly lit and furnished dining area. The walls feature regional history and information. In the main lobby warmed by the crackling fire in the brick fireplace adorned by the head of a deer (I think), someone tried their hand at the piano. A mother-son duo attempted the large wooden chess set placed on a high table. Aparna and I tried to make a meaningful contribution to the half-done 1000-piece puzzle on another table. Although the days are getting longer as summer approaches, even at 8.30 p.m. we could get a couple of photos of the lake in the receding light. As the clean air gently blown by the ornate four-bladed fan drifted around the room, we fell into deep restful sleep.

We hungrily gobbled down a delicious breakfast of sweet potato pancakes and fruit before hitting the 0.5 mile Quinault rainforest trail. The sun sliced through the thick foliage to light up the greenery. At regular intervals there were boards that explained the significance of the various players in the web of life in the rainforest. Dead trees that stand upright are called “snags” and serve as places for birds to build nests, for woodpeckers to bore holes and many microscopic creatures to flourish. The giants firs, felled by the mighty winds and storms, lie on the forest floor and serve as “nurse logs”, surfaces which serve to propagate other life forms, even after their death. A major storm that occurred in December 2007 caused considerable damage to the forest and the trails. Majority of the roads and trails have been restored now but the remnants still serve as reminders of nature’s fury.

Our plan for the day included a westward journey on US 101 which snakes around the peninsula, traversing many scenic miles including a breathtaking view of Lake Crescent, another lake much closer to the northern Strait of Juan de Fuca, the water body that separates Northwestern Washington from the province British Columbia in Canada. We drove through the nondescript town of Forks (population 3175), which is suddenly in the spotlight, thanks to the phenomenal success of the “Twilight” book (and movie) series, popular among teenagers in America (and India). Continuing west would have led us to the western-most tip of the continental US, a place called Neah Bay.

After a quick pizza lunch at Port Angeles, we took the 17-mile uphill scenic route to the heart of the mountains, ending at Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center. As we steadily climbed up, traces of snow could be seen lining the hillsides. Snow plows were parked at several places, indicating the normal type of precipitation in this region. The visitor center is locates at a height of about 5200 feet and offers magnificent views of snow-capped peaks. The tallest is Mount Olympus, at 7900 feet. We were blessed with a clear sunny day with no clouds obstructing the view all around. The kids (and adults too) had a great time playing in the pristine snow. The cold of the snowballs was offset by the warmth of the sun and the excitement of the snowball fight. At a scenic viewpoint on the drive downhill, we stopped to see peaks on the Canadian side of the strait, and the picturesque town of Victoria through binoculars.

We drove past Hood Canal towards the town of Kingston. Aparna was thrilled to witness the spectacle of cars driving onto the ferry which takes about 30 minutes to drop you off at Edmonds, a few miles north of Seattle. The ferry is huge (an understatement) and carries passengers, with and without their cars, with and without pets. The enclosed deck has spacious seating with wide tables to enable commuters to work. The sundeck on the top level allows you to step out into the bracing fresh air. Several dogs on leash walked around with their masters. Aparna could not have asked for a better treat. Mount Rainier could be seen in the distance and a cruise ship passed really close. A train chugged along the railroad with colorful carriages loaded with containers. As the ferry docked, the cars and people streamed out in order, heading home, after a lovely Sunday.