Exploring that Ribbon of Highway

“As I went walking that ribbon of highway,
I saw above me that endless skyway,
I saw below me that golden valley,
This land was made for you and me.”

Another bucket list adventure is in the books! Chad and I spent two weeks traveling, hiking*, and exploring the Pacific Coast through Washington State, Oregon, and Northern California.

Washington

We traveled as far north as Blaine, WA, on the Canadian border, where we had the opportunity to visit with family and stay in a spacious VRBO overlooking Drayton Harbor and the Semiahmoo Spit. The area included a series of connecting neighborhood trails that went on for miles. We wandered the trail network one afternoon and even found some fresh salmonberries.

Later, we traveled south through Bellingham, enjoying the scenic views found along Chuckanut Drive, including a few oysters at Taylor Shellfish Farms on the Samish mudflats.

Travel Tip: If you’re traveling between Olympic National Park and Bellingham, enjoy the beautiful views and quaint towns in the San Juan Islands, taking the car ferry from Coupeville to Port Townsend.

We rented a small cottage near Port Angeles, wandered the wharf and found a local fishmonger with fresh halibut and smoked sablefish to enjoy at the cottage. The local visitor center was helpful for planning trips into nearby Olympic National Park:

Ruby Beach offers spectacular views and many beach “nooks and crannies” to explore. The unusually sunny afternoon presented a unique view of the Hoh Rainforest where we saw a dozen giant Roosevelt elk and walked The Hall of Mosses and The Spruce Nature Trail.

We wandered the beautiful shoreline near Lake Crescent Lodge, enjoying the vibrant blue and green water surrounded by quaint cottages.

We also hiked to Sol Duc Falls and explored an ancient grove of 650 year old trees (favorite hikes of the trip). The soft, moss-covered ground muted any nearby sound plus the dense overgrowth made any fellow hikers disappear. I wondered if Treebeard might show up as our tour guide.

Sol Duc Hot Springs was close by, sharing lovely views to enjoy while soaking in the various pools, ranging from 99-107 degrees. Yes, it rains quite a bit in Washington State, but a light rain and mist only adds to the ambiance found in these woods.

Road Trip Audiobook:
“The Good Rain” by Timothy Egan
(Added perk: On several occasions Mr. Egan was describing our exact location!)

Oregon

Our road trip to Astoria included a trek across the Astoria-Megler Bridge. Most of our time was spent wandering the historic riverwalk.

The Astoria Column also offers clear views of the surrounding area. Visitors can enjoy these sights from the ground or climb the 164 steps for a special view (go early-it gets busy).

For Goonies fans: Currently, you can park and walk up to the Goonies house for a picture and find “Goonies Gear” on the riverwalk.

Cannon Beach makes an amazing day trip, but wear your walking shoes! We visited four locations:

1. Ecola State Park-Catch a glimpse of the vibrant Oregon coastline (and location of a few famous movie scenes).

2. Haystack Rock-Park in town and wander the shops and restaurants and take one of the paths out to Haystack Rock. Try to go at low tide where you can get a closer view and perhaps find a starfish in the many tidal pools (go early-it gets busy).

3. Hug Point-Early settlers used the shoreline as a wagon road. Hug Point is a wagon trail carved into the rocks and only accessible during low tide.

4. Short Sands-A peaceful forest trail that leads to a popular beach for local surfers

After Cannon Beach, we followed the rocky, rugged Oregon Coast, making a few stops along the way:

The Hobbit Trail-Tolkien would approve! Hikers that venture all the way to the beach might find a sand dollar for a souvenir!

California

We drove south to Crescent City, CA, where we explored the views around Battery Point Lighthouse before heading inland to the Jedidiah Smith Redwoods State Park. The campground in Hiouchi includes a yurt available for rent (book early!), and the site is minutes from a visitor center, trailheads, and scenic Howland Hill Road.

Smith River Trail at the Jedidiah Smith Campground (Park at the day use area and walk the short, flat trail, which ends near the camp gift shop)

As we were heading home, I was struck by the diverse and vast landscape found along this 750 miles of coastline: The magical realm of the Olympic Peninsula, the rugged, at times, violent Oregon Coast, and the sunny stroll among the giants of the Redwood Forest. We could spend a lifetime exploring this spacious, amazing country found right in our own backyard.

“This land was made for you and me!”

Thanks for reading!

*Each hike listed ranges in length from 1/2-2 miles round trip. Some of these hikes may be inappropriate for children.