[Jasper]

My dad had a few sites to visit on the Olympic Peninsula. He brought me along to navigate. We managed to get some hiking in between site visits too. Here's my version of what happened: Dad's first stop was in Olympia. He had to walk up a spiral stairwell around a water tower and collect a paint chip sample. I stayed in the car and napped.

From Olympia he drove to Hoquiam to stop by some office and pick up a key. I thought he had enough keys already, but I guess he needed this one too. From Hoquiam he drove to Humptulips, then turned off the highway. There was a gate, but his new key unlocked it! From there he drove up a bumpy road to another site visit. I got to run around here and played in the grass while he did his site inspection.

Playing in the grass

From there it was a short drive to the south shore of Lake Quinalt. We took a little stroll on portions of the Quinalt Loop Trail system. I got to see my first rainforest. Apparently there are more that I cannot go to being a dog. It was peaceful, so I refrained from barking on this hike.

Peaceful trail

Lake Quinalt Lodge

After our short stroll we took a drive to this sign:

Dad had to get out and see this. I said "It's 3 miles away" to which he replied, "Don't you see the decimal point before the 3?" Math was not my strong suit in obedience school. We arrived at the tree to see another group enjoying it too.

After that we continued north on Highway 101. we caught fleeting glimpses of the Pacific Ocean, and dad pulled over at Ruby Beach. This is one of the few beaches in the National Park that dogs are allowed. I was about to run down the trail, but dad leashed me up. He can read the signs better than me. It was my second time to the ocean, and I thought I could see Japan in the distance.

I see it dad

At this sign I wanted to go left, but dad said, "It's logs, not dogs."

We took the new trail to the beach.

Fresh meets salt

Drifters

What was that?

Goodbye Ruby Beach

From Ruby Beach we drove to Forks. Dad stopped at Sully's for a burger. He must have been really hungry because he ate the whole thing without giving me a bite. I did get some dog treats though. Our drive continued until a turnoff for the Kloshe Nanitch Lookout. Dad had a site visit about a half mile further up the road from the lookout. The 7 miles to the lookout was a muddy, bumpy ride. I was unable to get any napping done during this part of the drive. We got to the lookout and stopped for a few minutes.

Jasper reflected in TH sign

Kloshe Nanitch Lookout

We walked the last half mile to dad's site visit as there was snow on the road and several trees blown down over it too. We ended up staying the night in Port Angeles. Dad had dinner at a nice Thai restaurant, but he forgot to give me some of his food again. Instead, I got dog food. Again. Thursday morning was nice and sunny in Port Angeles. As we drove through Sequim, I told dad that Kiefer and Rowena were here. He told me that even if he knew what house they lived in, their dad would not be awake this early I was drifting off for another nap when dad turned onto another gravel logging road. I just can't sleep through these gravel roads We passed through one open gate when suddenly we stopped. A flatbed truck and excavator were blocking our progress. Dad got out to talk to them, and they said they would be moving in a few minutes. He let me out to play with their dog Grizzly.

This smells good!

Eventually we headed back up into the fog, past another gate (dad had this key too!) and another site visit. It was a foggy hilltop with several radio antennas. Boring stuff if you ask me. After that visit, dad asked if I wanted to hike up Mt. Zion. I had seen that Kiefer and Rowena had been there recently, so I said yes. It was short but steep enough to make my dad sweat. Here's what we saw:

Mt. Townsend

Grey Wolf Ridge

Last obstacle before the top

With Soapy on the summit

After Mt. Townsend, he was going to drive up Mt. Walker, but I suggested we hike it instead. It was a good choice. The rhododendrons are blooming here!

I thought I saw Slugman, but it was just his smaller cousin

Not Slugman

Another summit:

With Soapy on Mt. Walker

I fell asleep again as we headed to Kingston and the ferry ride back. After we got home, dad cleaned up as I took another well deserved nap. Shortly afterwards he woke me up and took me to TNAB where I saw Kiefer and Rowena, as well as Digger, Mazzy, Kona and Tokul. Oh, and a bunch of humans too. What a fun 2 days!

[bobbi]

what a wonderful trip, jasper! your dad must be a gem to bring you along to the olympic peninsula! i should have given him my phone number because dinner at the thai restaurant is right up my alley. sorry you only got doggie food! thanks for sharing your fantastic trip with us

[silly_traveler]

Excellent TR Jasper you saw a lot in two days

[Schmidt Alti-Kief]

Sorry we missed you when you were in Sequim but you're dad was right. My humans almost never let us out of our sleeping caves before 9:30AM (and then we sleep in the big blanket fort with mommy for another few hours).

[Schmidt Alti-Row]

It was nice to see you at Putrid Pete's Peak. I was even nice to you for a change but you were too busy trying to bully Kona to notice !

[Hiker Mama]

Jasper, you're a lucky dog.