So this weekend Big D and I went to the Oympics - in Washington, not China. "Fangs for Coming" was the exit sign as we left Forks, WA where we stayed....doesn't make sense right? Well apparantly there's some huge book by the name of "Twilight" that has brought major tourism to Forks. It's a romance about vampires and Forks was picked as a good vampire town and they are stinking proud of it. And there were no signs of The Coreys so I think the vampires are safe...for now.
The first night we took a trail down to the beach. This tree was pretty wicked and I really wanted to sit in it. On our way back there were guys sitting on my branches! I was nice though, I didn't even ask for a tree toll...they're lucky.
This is my favorite part of taking a trail to the beach. Right here is when we started to hear the roar of the ocean as we hiked down, down and more down. Look how green and lush everything is!
We were a bit early for the sunset so Big D and I took some very reflecting pictures of each other. We ended up sitting on the big part of the log that's in front of me to watch the sunset which was no doubt the best seat in the house. It's hard to tell in the picture but we were directly left of the Hole In The Wall. Watching the waves crash through that hole was pretty stinking awesome.
Here's Big D's reflective picture looking at one of the sea stacks. There are two unusual things in this pic: 1. Big D's has nails. 2. Big D has color on those nails. I'm convinced this change has to do with Ben...and I asked her about it but I'll keep her remark private. It was pretty funny though. So you should ask her.
So after the sunset Big D and I headed to this small, old cemetary to find a geocache. I had this travel bug called "Zack's Little Devil" that wanted to go hide in scary places so this seemed fitting. I could barely tell what graves I was stepping on. Is that bad luck to step on graves? I have nothing to lose at this point.
Big D made a good point: We were both very happy to see there was not a floating head above this gravestone after we took the picture.
We found another geocache first thing the next morning. Look how stinking huge this geocache is! This may be the biggest one..I dunno. I like to always think that I've seen bigger...
Geocaching is so clever - I love that they took the time out to paint this bucket and hang it from this tree.
Next we headed to Da Hoh Rain Forest and took a little hike led by this ranger - he taught us lotsa interesting stuff that I'm going to forget in a few days. Except for the importance of fungi - fungi makes the world go round I found out.
Ranger Darrell couldn't explain why the trees on the Washington Coast have Elephantitis though. Doesn't this look painful? Tons of trees look like this.
Big D and I love hiking, we love forests and we certainly love Da Hoh Rainforest but we couldn't wait to get back to the ocean that day....
Again - my favorite part of hiking down to the ocean: The first glimpse of the water and the roar of the ocean. Big D and I had soup and beer (good combo I know) before we did this short hike so we ran ALL the way back up the hill on the way back to earn it. *burp*
I love sea stacks! The seastack to the left was stinking awesome. I was drawn to its holes (no perv comments please) and had to go jump into one when the waves weren't coming. Big D took good pics but I'm going to just make you have your own visual in your head.
Big D and I frolicked on the Ruby Beach for quite a while. I think it's called Ruby Beach because when the waves descend it causes the rocks to make the sound of a rainmaker as they roll over each other. There was a river that ran into the ocean and Big D and I had skipping rock competitions. I felt really bad for her at first because I was schooling her - we could hear the bell ring and everything. But then true Klavano greatness kicked in and she won the competition of who can skip the rock to the shore. It was fun. Trust me. Had to be there.
We slowly made our way back to homebase to watch the sunset but thought we'd have time to stop and see THE BIG CEDAR TREE (I've seen bigger...like I said). We saw it on the Atlas and there were all these signs about this huge cedar. Big D is not only a tree hugger but she's also a climber of all things.
Suffice to say we took WAY too long making our way back to see the sunset by homebase and Big D did *not* want to miss it. I stayed silent as she sped down highways, took curves like her Nissan was on rails and silently hoped no deer would hop out in front of her speeding vehicle. Well, we missed the sunset by just a few minutes - she parked her car and ran to take this picture. She still was catching a beautiful pic right? That's another sea stack in the distance. I really do have a new crush on sea stacks - they just add a certain something.
And one last reflecting look into the ocean before we say goodbye. Big D informed me that anytime someone makes a life changing decision in the movies the wind blows thru their hair. As I stood there all I could think of was vampires and seastack holes. What does that mean?
"MINE!"
This is subalpine hiking now. We went from the woods, to the rock fields (and heard lots of pikas!) until we emerged the area where the rocks are left behind and the meadows begin. Were also almost to the top! I couldn't decide what movie I felt like I was in...something whimsical.
Getting to the top we found ourselves in Kendall Gardens (above). Why didn't I take more pictures of the gardens? It was amazing. I have to go back and take more pictures now. There is no better feeling ridge hiking among some kicka$$ meadows. These are the meadows you see from I-90, point at and say "I want to go up there. It looks so green and inviting." And that's a Alan the Ogre quote (or loosely quoted).
In fact, this is I-90 from where I was standing. You can barely make it out. Feel the power of being on top though - right?
Were finally on the ridge (top) and heading towards the katwalk. Andrea is looking into pure white mist. We had NO idea what was out there. It was so odd that the mist wasn't spilling over to our side. I should of paid attention in science class better so I could know why. I bet Big D knows.
Here we are now on the Katwalk and the mist is swallowing us up. The trail is no longer dirt it is now pure rock that was blown up by the crazy guys back in the day. If you look closely at Andrea you can tell she's saying "This is scary, I don't like this - the edge is too close." And it kinda was scary so I couldn't resist to take advantage with a pic (see below).
So I wanted to show how vertical this rock was...I also liked the pretty flowers that were growing out of it. I had NO idea how far up I was but was certain my death was calling my name from below. I mean, I *am* on top of a ridge right? But as soon as I sit down on this rock Andrea scared me with how serious she was for me to GET OFF THE ROCK NOW. And then she said "I AM SO SERIOUS! That rock is moving!" I felt the rock wobble a bit...
And this is the rock I was sitting on. The rock on the edge of the sheer cliff. It didn't look that bad before I sat down. So. I probably wouldn't do that again. That's why I hope people enjoy the picture I got out of it! Don't let my near-death be in vain!
Here's Andrea taking one last look down the edge. I'm SOO stinking curious what this looks like when there's no mist. I think it was right before this that I exclaimed "I love being on top!" And found out Andrea is a perv. I just like hikes that go straight to the top of something. I like to say "See up there? Yeah, I hiked that bitch."
Looking at Red Mountain as we descend. I think we were along side Red Mountain at the top. Hmm..gotta go back so I can tell for sure. Oh, and Andrea's feet are starting to hurt her a bit at this point. Gloves aren't made to be insoles I suppose. 
This rock is huge. Remember the rock creature that was trying to escape The Nothing from Neverending story? I think he left them here. It's hard to tell but you could fit a very square house inside that rock and live pretty darn comfortably. And the roof would never leak either.
I was really curious what the Katwalk looked like in the sun and this is the picture I found. I definitely need to go back. That's what I love about hiking - the same hike can seem like 10 different ones depending on the time of year and weather. So if you'd like to go back with me hit me up! 
