Cape Flattery & Port Townsend
I woke up around 8 am, a thick layer of fog was just inches above the water in the lake. It was a chilly morning, my neighbors had a Westy and the top had been popped down sometime during the night. I was quick to get my breakfast going, oatmeal as usual. I threw on my clothes and headed out, Cape Flattery was the destination for the day. I had originally thought that Ozette Lake Road is part of a loop but I was wrong and had to back track to the 112 N again. The ride was right on the water, it was gorgeous country here, the Straight of Juan de Fuca and the Pacific meet at the end of my path today. When I got to Neah Bay (last town before Cape Flattery) I was surprised on the small amount of signs for CF. I figured it would have been a big deal for the town and thought there would be a gift shop at the end of the way or something to express the most NW part in the lower 48. I climbed a road in the outskirts of town (it was paved), when I got to the end there was a hiking trail and another beaten up road that forked to the right. I chose the beaten road. It was raining pretty good and I could tell that not a lot travel this road, I was excited to push my 4LO engage button for my 4X4. The trail was wet, rocky and overgrown. I got to a small fork in the road and took the right, it set me right over the Cape Flattery Lighthouse. I got a pic, got back en route and climbed some more. Finally I had reached the end, there was a small lookout onto the beach with a fire ring made of rocks. There was fog so I couldn't see the beach but I had completed my mission for the day and was happy so. If anyone makes it out here it would be a fantastic place to camp overnight and there is cell service (watch out for Canada roaming charges).
After the completed mission I headed back down to town. I had not thought about where to go next. I had thought about taking a Ferry to Victoria so I headed back down on the 112 out of Neah Bay, instead of taking the 113 this time which will bring you back near Forks I stayed on the 112 which boarders the Straight and takes you right into Port Angeles (where the ferry is located). I stopped to drain the main vein and saw a huge Bald Eagle right out on the beach, I quickly ran to my truck to get my camera. Like always I couldn't get it to turn on an the bird flew away. Dammit I thought, this was the second time I saw a bald eagle and couldn't get a pic (first time was in Glacier, Montana). While driving down the road my eyes were peeled, I was hoping to have another shot at one of these gorgeous birds. WOAHH!! I shouted in my truck, not 1/2 mile down the road was one perched in a tree over the Straight. I turned around and got a few decent shots, then I noticed a small access road across the way to a telephone pole that was at eye level with the bird. I threw her in 4WD and sneaked up behind it. I got an awesome shot and was thankful for what I had seen (BTW, this day was Veterans day which made it more special). After the sighting I headed out to Port Angeles. I drove around the town and down to the port to check out the ferry schedule, it was $60 or so for the ride. I milled around for a while and wasn't really feeling the idea so I took off towards Port Townsend. By the time I got here it was dark, I checked out the two Forts that were in town (had RV parks in them) but it was Veteran's day and it was blowing so hard outside I thought my truck was going to tip over. After driving around a little and checking out the town I decided I needed to stop and devise a plan. Port Townsend Brewery was the spot, I pulled up to see an empty spot at the bar from the window so I made my way in. A cozy little spot, beers only (no food). I tried the Bitter End and the Hop Diggity, both good IPA's. While sitting around I got to talking to the locals about this and that, then asked them where I could camp and the largest reply was "just park in the shipyard". After hearing about the guy I was going to have to deal with in the shipyard I decided to go elsewhere. I found a small RV park on the outskirts of town, Sequim bay resort was the name. I enjoyed a hot shower and WiFi here, it was a nice change from the damp forest.
