Driving through Olympic National Park and to the Hall of Moss

 Imagine taking a drive through a forest of trees that are bigger than you could even begin to imagine. Now imagine those trees are not just the normal green leaves with a brown trunk, instead imagine them covered in all green. This is a real place, and it belongs to the Olympic National Park in Washington State. 

I've been lucky enough to visit Olympic National Park twice, but I have barely scratched its surface. This beautiful park has so many views to offer. Along the coastline, you'll see beautiful trees along sandy beaches, some hikes through burled trees, and along small streams. If you're lucky, you can catch a Bald Eagle in flight, snatching a quick flash of brown, yellow, and white as it flies overhead.

As you drive Hwy 101 along the Washington coastline, there's a turnoff that is a must-see, the Upper Hoh Road to the Hall of Moss trailhead. As you drive in, you are greeted by massive trees and beautiful forest, where along the road, you'll catch views of the Hoh River and snatches of mountains.

Along the way, be sure to make a quick pit stop at Peak 6 Tours & Gift Shop. There are some great souvenirs at this little roadside stop, and during my stop there, I was lucky enough to have two one-of-a-kind experiences. First, around the back of the shop, where the bathrooms/porta potties (unfortunately) are set up, there is a massive field just beyond a wooden fence. In that field, a herd of elk was grazing, having their dinner. It was so cool to have the space to myself in absolute silence, be able to watch the elk. No loud people, no jostling for space to have a view. It was me, the elk, and my thoughts.

Eventually, I made my way back inside the store and noticed that behind the counter were several antique cameras. That day, I happened to be there when the owner of the shop and of those cameras was working. He told me the story behind each camera, including one that had been smuggled out of Germany during World War II. I recognized one camera to be what I believe is a Brownie Haweye camera and had to take a pic as my mom remembered that as being her first camera as a kid. The owner was so nice as he shared story after story on each camera and where they came from, which family member owned it, and as he told his stories, it was clear to see just how much each one meant.

Eventually, my travels took me back to the road, and I made my way further down Upper Hoh Road toward the Hall of Moss trailhead. The size of the trees was staggering, but what sticks with me most was the realization that despite the trees and broken limbs, and other, what would normally be hard and sharp surfaces were all rounded, and soft. Not one sharp edge, instead it was moss-covered. No tree limb was clearly defined between branch and leaf; they were dripping with moss.

I will admit, I have not yet hiked the Hall of Moss trail. The last two times I've been through the area, the first time the area was closed. The second time, it was so cold outside that my toes and nose were numb just from walking to the visitor center from my car. That was enough for me. If you travel to Olympic National Park in November, be prepared for cold and damp weather. Even if the sun is out, you'll largely be in the shade, and it is COLD! 

However, I'll never forget the brilliant greens and the beauty that Mother Nature puts on display in Olympic National Park. I'll always remember how I felt dwarfed by the massive trees in the park and how everywhere I turned, there was a picturesque view to behold.

One day, I plan to return, perhaps this time in the summer months when temperatures are warmer and the days are longer. The nice trade-off of traveling off season is fewer crowds, but the downside leaves very short days to explore and requires a bit more resilience to colder weather. In my future travels through Olympic National Park, I'll make a point of visiting places I've missed, like 2nd Beach, where trees grow off building-size boulders sitting in the Pacific Ocean, and make my way up to Cape Flattery and the westernmost point of Washington state. Then, of course, I'll return to Upper Hoh Road and make my way down to the Hall of Moss. With just the drive in and out being as beautiful as it was, I can only imagine that to earn the name it did, the Hall of Moss trail must be absolutely breathtaking. I can't wait to see it in person.

Death Valley Views and a Desert Oasis

 Death Valley is known worldwide for its unique beauty and extremely high temperatures. Visiting Death Valley National Park will bring you to aptly named sites like Devil's Cornfield, Dante's View, Furnace Creek, and the Devil's Golf Course, all of which remind you that you are visiting a place known for its dry and hot conditions. 

I remember leaving my home in March for my first visit, where the high temperatures were averaging in the mid-sixties, and two days later, I'm sweating in nearly 100-degree weather. It was an amazing experience to see the salt flats and the beautiful views that Death Valley had to offer. 

The views from the top of Dante's View were breathtaking, looking down at the salt flats below. If I were looking at pics, I'd almost believe that I were looking at swirls of snow or water down below. Surprisingly, despite the high temperatures of the area, at sunset, the top of Dante's View can get a little chilly.

Exploring the Devil's Golf Course was interesting as I picked my way over the ragged edges of salt and rock formations. These features were enormous, many coming up to my knees, and had sharp edges. I was even warned to tread carefully, as a fall would likely result in the need for some minor first aid.

Devil's Cornfield and the adjacent sand dunes were equally impressive. This is one spot that I learned quickly, even with some good winds making the high temperatures tolerable, it was still very important to stay hydrated. Walking back to my car, I was quickly hit with a mild case of heat exhaustion. 

In so many of these locations, I mildly remember other people, quite a few people in fact. But I never felt crowded. The wide open skies and massive spaces that make up Death Valley lend to the feeling of peace and solitude even when surrounded by others. 

One common trend throughout the locations, hot and dry. A park ranger I spoke with shared that visitors should always be prepared. She told me that you should have a vehicle that is in good working condition, tools, and supplies (food and lots and lots of water!). Cell service in Death Valley is spotty at best, and you might get service at Furnace Creek Inn, Furnace Creek Visitor Center, or nearby Stovepipe Wells. 

A Desert Oasis

Walking onto the property of the Furnace Creek Inn of Death Valley National Park was so odd to me. I loved going from the dry desert to the lovely, lush green lawns and water features of the inn. My favorite moment was standing at the edge of the garden with a small pool of water, and just a few feet past the pool was the expanse of the mountains of Death Valley jutting up, and not a single plant growing on them.

Going into Furnace Creek Inn was entering a portal into another world. A tunnel entry flanked with bright pink bougainvillea welcomed us as we travelled through the stone-lined tunnel into the inn. Inside the inn, you are in another world. A world of luxury, a world of indulgence, beauty, water, and delicious dining. 

As much as I enjoyed the inn and the dining, I much preferred spending my time outside. Despite the heat, I loved wandering along the stone pathways among the palm trees and grassy lawn. I enjoyed sitting near the pond, listening to the water, and enjoying the tranquility of the space. 

Death Valley brings a lot of beauty and wonder to the visitor. I loved checking out the different sites and have every intention of returning. Perhaps in the future I'll make it to the Artists Pallete, the Kilns, or one of the many other sites. I just know, I'll be back and this time, I'll have a lot more water with me.

Exploring Las Vegas...on the Lesser Known Side

Ah, Las Vegas, this crazy, bright, busy city known the world over and is a place where one can have fun 24/7. I'm planning a short trip there now and find myself looking back at the last couple of times I've been through the city and tips I learned that have proven very helpful...and fun.

On the Strip

Las Vegas Walking Tours was a great way to learn a lot more about the history of Las Vegas while exploring some behind-the-scenes areas and getting some great tips from the tour guide. On this walking tour, I was able to see some historic landmarks, including Union Station, where Vegas began, and the famous old cowboy neon. Seeing some of the history of Las Vegas and the neat features like Container Park was great. To me, though, the most valuable part of the tour was the "insider tips" that I gained on the tour (i.e., where to get the most inexpensive water on the Las Vegas Strip).

For me, though, the best thing I've learned and shared with other travelers was the bus line that runs the length of the Las Vegas Strip, the Deuce Bus. This 24-hour bus line runs from Fremont Street to the South Strip Terminal with several stops along the way and is just a fraction of the cost of taking a taxi or a ride share to get around. Prices vary on passes, as do the length of time, going from a single ride all the way to a three-day pass. 

Venetian Gondolas were also a big draw for me, most of us who have been in or past the Venetian know that you can catch a gondola ride inside or outside the resort, but what many don't know is that you can catch the Gondoliers as they march in, singing, to the boats. Twice a day, the gondoliers sing in unison as they march along the indoor canal at the beginning and end of each day, at 9:45 am and 4:20 pm. This is definitely something to check out!

Dining Discoveries

Taking a little detour off the strip, there are two restaurants that food lovers absolutely must visit. 

My first recommendation is a creperie that is just south of the I-215 called Crepe Expectations. You can get sweet or savory crepes along with coffee, spirits, and more. The best part, not only is the food amazing, but the prices are great! It is a popular spot, and no wonder since they landed a spot on the Food Network Show Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. There is a spacious indoor dining area as well as a relaxing outdoor patio. This is a must-stop!

Just a little way up from Crepe Expectations in the same shopping mall, there is a bakery and cafe called Le Paris Brest Cafe. This cute little bakery has fantastic creations and delicious coffee. The croissants are beautiful and flaky, the desserts are decadent, and the coffee creations are fabulous. All I can say is once you've filled up on crepes, come here and get your coffee and some dessert to take home. You'll be glad you did, and plotting your return.

An Upcoming Exploration

For my upcoming trip, I'm looking forward to exploring new discoveries...for me. Watching a travel show (which is dangerous for my wallet), I learned about the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens. I cannot wait to see what beauty I'll see in the summer exhibit. From my research, to visit the gardens there is no cost, so big win! 

The other place I recently learned about was the Arte Museum. The exhibits look outstanding, and with a little $5 upgrade to my ticket to the museum, I will also experience the Arte Cafe, where guests are given "a feast of live garnish expressed with media art on an attractive drink and dessert menu.

From past experiences to my upcoming explorations, I cannot wait to see what other new items I'll uncover that may also be the lesser-known side of Las Vegas.