Day 6--OCEAN CAMPING

September 10, 2000
Forks to Kalaloch, WA

We're at the Kalaloch Campground right on the ocean. It is 5 p.m. and I am waiting while Jess makes one more loop to find the perfect campsite. Which will she choose? #1 or #2 below? (Both are  Internet pix of Kalaloch sites; it was sunny the day we arrived.) I am talking to a couple of tandem riders we met last night. They are doing the Olympic National Park loop. 

Choice #1 on the ocean or Choice #2-- In the trees with a trail to the restrooms
and will catch the morning sun

 Jess finally found the perfect campsite . . . after a search lasting nearly 1 hour! If you guessed Site #2, pat yourself on the back. (Jess takes after her father when he is searching for the perfect Christmas tree.) The site is sunny to dry our gear—and has a bear warning in the center of the picnic table. We're supposed to put all foodstuffs in our car. Ha!

We left Forks late this morning. We were in no hurry as we had decided not to go to the rainforest. We had seen enough rain. This left us with a spare day.

We cycled leisurely and made several stops along the way. The first was at Ruby Beach. We ate our lunch at the trailhead, chained our bikes to the trailhead rail, took our money and valuables with us, and hiked down to the beach where we explored tidepools and beachcombed. It is a very beautiful beach and area.

My bike at the trailhead fence; we are eating lunch on a trailhead bench only feet away

Susan on the trail down to Ruby Beach. Note the fog behind her even at noon. My point-and-shoot just cannot capture the magic of this area so I have included several
Internet photos below.

Internet photo of Ruby Beach from the trail down to it

Another Internet photo of Ruby Beach; it was just too picture perfect

Internet photo of the stream that bisects Ruby Beach

We stopped briefly again at a touristy place that had all sorts of chainsawed wood carvings and driftwood things.

Susan in her new yellow specs before an interesting root at the roadside wood carving place 

My camera was cheap and my skill with it
zilch. I was very disappointed with my photos

 Before we left this morning we stopped at a grocery and stocked up. We both bought plastic containers slightly larger than a shoebox to put our food in. I carry mine on my rack and Jess puts hers in her BOB pack.

Steak, mashed potatoes, yellow and zucchini squash for dinner. We’re not skimping on our evening meals and look forward to supper all during the day’s ride, particularly if it is cold or rainy.

Below, a final photo of this beach--Kalaloch Beach-- and its piles of driftwood.

Miles: 36

Weather: Probably 70°F today for a high. A beautiful, sunny day but when you pedal from the sun into the shade of the fir and spruce trees the temps drop at least 10 degrees.

Route: Forks to Kalaloch. 45 miles with a long stop at beautiful Ruby Beach; Hwy 101 from Forks to Kalaloch Campsite in the Olympic National Forest.

Kalaloch Beach driftwood