Day 5: Hoh Man! I'm Pedaling Through a Rain Forest

Trip:  Bogachiel River to Quinalt Lake

Distance:  65.6 miles

I woke up in a rain forest and it wasn't raining! (If these were lyrics to a Bob Dylan song, the next line might be "and then someone handed me a bone....."!).

Yes.  Today I did a fair amount of travel through rain forests - including the Hoh rain forest:

Another early start to get a few hours of the 101 to myself (mostly).  Perfect riding weather: 58-60 F, overcast and no wind. Stopped for a snack at rest stop near the Hoh River:

Looks like some good fishing down there....

And of course, no rest stop is complete without some calories:

I had a cheese and honey sandwich for lunch!  There's not much I won't shove into my stomach at this point.

It's easy to get into a content, zen like state as I pedal down the road - everything feels right (and it's hard to get lost on the 101).  I start to pick up the distinct smell of the ocean (the good one, not the dead fish one.....) and I know I am back at the ocean:

This of course makes me smile:

Well that, and all the free berries that can be found just about everywhere:

Cruise along a scenic stretch along the coast:

and then I turn east and head up towards Quinault  Lake:

While checking in for my campsite, I am informed that the Quinault Lodge (you check in for the campsite in a very nice lodge - weird mix of folks) was where President Teddy Roosevelt signed the national park act!  (Oops, correction.... He signed the bill that created the Olympic  National Park here).  Cool beans.  I am heading back later to scope out the actual desk (and buy beer at the store....).

I got a nice campsite right on the lake:

And that lake looked perfect for swimming - so I charged down there and swam for a bit - ahhhhhh :)

Camp neighbors are all super friendly- I have already been offered a chair by my next door neighbor,and some very friendly Canadians (is that redundant?) invited me by site 13 for a beer later  :)

I could get used to this