Our PNW trip was amazing! Driving the 101 from Seattle to San Francisco with its’ stunning Pacific views and incredible national parks mixed with city sightseeing was definitely a trip to remember. If you haven’t been to the PNW, I highly recommend you make it happen. Here are some highlights.
Our top 5 recommendations:
- Seattle Museum of Pop Culture
- Olympic National Park, WA - Favorite Hikes: Hurricane Ridge, Marymere Falls, and Sol Duc Falls. Favorite rest stop: Lake Crescent
- Cannon Beach, OR
- Redwoods NP (Grove of Titans Trail was our favorite and Mystery of the Trees)
- Alcatraz Island
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| Our first PNW views from the balcony of Rebecca Reidel Ellison’s home where we stayed the first two nights. Thank you for sharing your home! We loved the neighborhood and those views! |
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| What’s that in your hair, Sage? They say it’s good luck to be pooped on by a bird. We did have great luck the rest of the trip though!!! |
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| On our way to the top of the Space Needle! |
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| Outside the Museum of Pop Culture. If you have teens and are in Seattle, this is a MUST do!! We loved this place! |
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| On to see the locks in Ballard! This was fascinating. We also saw a salmon ladder. Very cool! |
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| Here we are with our amazing tour guide and cousin, Rochelle Krahn. She drove us around Seattle, walked us through all the hot spots, and shared lots of interesting info along the way. What an awesome way to experience the city! We are so grateful to have spent the day with her. |
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| Tour of University of Washington |
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| Massive football and basketball stadiums! We might have some future Huskies on our hands. |
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| The next day, we drove out of the city via ferry to Olympic National Park. |
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| On our way to the top of Hurricane Ridge |
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| Spectacular views from the top! |
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| The next day, we started our morning with an awesome hike to Marymere Falls |
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| And a trip to Lake Crescent. |
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| Sage pointing out the top of Storm King where he hiked hundreds of switchbacks 2 miles straight up and 2 miles down the side of the mountain. Easily the most challenging trail we’ve ever done. |
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| Next day, Sol Duc Falls Trail. Gorgeous hike!! |
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| Kai taking a break on the Spruce Nature Trail after we already did the Hall of Mosses Trail in the Hoh Rainforest section of Olympic NP. |
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| Next up, Cannon Beach, Oregon. This might have been my favorite place! Stunning views of the Pacific and the mountains. That’s Haystack Rock in the distance. |
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| Spent some time with our Portland cousins. Thanks Julia Politte for bringing the family to hang out with us! |
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| The tide pools at the rocks were incredible! We saw so many ocean creatures. They were everywhere |
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| Pacific views along one of the many overlooks along the 101 |
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| Kai’s favorite burger in Reevesport, OR |
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| Natural Bridges Overlook |
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| After dinner walk through the Harbor |
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| Then onto Redwoods NP! Starting with the Grove of Titans Trail. |
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| Trees of Mystery Skywalk. Very fun! |
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| On our gondola ride through the trees |
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| One last Beach stop at the Kuchel Visitor Center’s black sand beach. |
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| Sage’s favorite burger in Trinidad, CA |
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| We made it to San Francisco! |
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| Ghiradelli's chocolate factory |
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| Climbing the massive hills in San Francisco |
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| Lombard Street |
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| Chinatown |
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| Shrimp Lo mein - best of his life! |
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| On the Pier watching the sea lions |
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| view of Alcatraz Island in the background |
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| Now, we're on Alcatraz Island |
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| Bay Bridge on our 3 am trip to the airport |
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| The one unfortunate incident of the trip - Sage and Kai knocking heads! |
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| Tolovana Inn, Cannon Beach, OR |
