FORKS & LA PUSH-WA ~ Surprises All Around

August 24th: To complete the planned coastal journey - we went to Forks this morning; Holland has never been there, and he wanted to see it. So, we went … then I drove him to La Push to see the ocean from that point of view; and to see the giant rock "guardians" standing strong and tall against the turbulent ocean surges. We passed on pushing further to Neah Bay.

Today was Holland's Day: he was the passenger, and I was his chauffer.

I didn't get too dolled up because ocean weather is misty, and windy - so, casual wear was the tone of the day. But since we would be out in the public, I did put a little toned-down glitter on my eyes ;-)

Forks wasn't as {back country} as Holland had expected. I had tried to prepare him, but he was still surprised it wasn't more woodsy.

I was surprised when we got to La Push: last time I had been there was in the summer of 2017 … mere weeks before Bob ended up in the hospital fighting for his life. We had taken our little grandson to Sequim-WA to see the animals at the wildlife park, there - and we made a side trip to La Push because Bob had always wanted to go there. At that time, it was a pretty primitive place - the kind of "woodsy" I knew Holland would appreciate.

It has come a long way since that summer of 2017!

La Push was a shock to my senses. I'm still reeling from all the major changes. I'm sure the changes are good for the people that live there, but all those changes seriously affect the raw beauty that was there before the "upscale" renovations took over.

Now, it's just another tourist trap community on the water - all because of an aimless asinine movie :-(

Headed off to Forks …

Forks-WA from Hoquiam-WA; 1 hr. 59 min (103.9 mi) via US-101 N

We had been warned that road works was happening - it 'happened' half the journey. Every half hour - on the hour.
Following #101 - first stop is 'Humptulips', at a small rural store.
Holland has never been in this part of WA State before; I have, so I am driving ;-)

The water here is a beautiful shade of green; Hoh Oxbow Campground.
Hoh Oxbow Campground:
(https://www.last-minute-adventures.com/hoh-oxbow/)

Forks-WA.Forks/La Push-WA:
(https://www.city-data.com/articles/Quileute-Indian-Reservation-Forks.html)
'Burger Lunch.
We turned off onto #110 to La Push-WA
A 'lumber mover'.

La Push-WA from Forks-WA; 21 min (15.4 mi) via WA-110 W, La Push Rd.
Entrance into La Push … this was here last time, too.
WOW! Things have changed!

La Push is virtually unrecognizable - in just 6 short years; I said 5 … but it's actually been 6.

Of course … money changes e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g.

La Push, 6 years ago, was very primitive. The changes are startling.

And a Marina. The {WOW} factor just keeps keeping on …

A new Tribal School - which was sorely needed; but at what cost … WHERE is the $$$ coming FROM.

The forest is disappearing - the road is now paved; good changes, but HOW.

Big changes required big $$$$$

Holland declared we will be coming up here in the Spring of '24; he really likes the area. Maybe we'll visit Neah Bay then, too.

On our way back home, I pulled over in a couple turn outs along the highway that had ocean views. Holland likes the ocean.

While we were looking through the binoculars at the lighthouse atop a huge rock in the middle of the ocean, a couple in an older RV Coach were also sight-seeing, and the woman struck up a conversation with Holland about a bald eagle sitting on the top of an evergreen, looking out over the ocean.

That convo led to more conversation, and I asked her what her name was. She said, "Val". I said, "I'm Val, too." She said, "No way!" And I said, "Yeah; 'way'." We started laughing and sharing life stories; she was a gas :-)

When we stopped laughing and yacking, we got back in the truck … and Bleu was surprised when he got a spanking from the gentle King because he'd been a bad little dog after Holland had put him in the truck :-(

And I let Holland spank him (he was gentle) because Bleu deserved it. He cannot be allowed to be destructive when he is out of sight, and in a snit.

Wave watching at 'Beach 1' roadside turnout.

Backtracking homeward, we spotted a Light House in the middle of the ocean.
Destruction Island Lighthouse:
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Destruction_Island & https://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=118)

A Bald-headed Eagle sitting atop a tree.

Val meets Val; LOL! Meeting friendly strangers is always a treat.

Bleu got a spanking from Daddy … these Road Atlases cost $35+