Part 4: Mowich to Seattle to Olympic

Continuing a journey through Washington State.

It has been almost a year since this adventure but I said that I would finish telling this story and I try to be a man of my word, so here it is. Part Four.

Rising early once again, I strolled about Mowich Lake soaking up the last couple of hours there. I packed my gear up after breakfast and began my journey back to Seattle for a night to regroup. On my way back, I stopped in Wilkeson at the Pick & Shovel Saloon for a burger and beer at 11am. I was the only customer in there. You could have told me that was the best burger in the world and I would’ve believed you. Damn, was it good!

Back on the road I headed for Seattle, I was nearly killed by a short tanker truck who’s driver had no intention of letting me get around them as the on-ramp lanes merged together. I made it back in one piece, refreshed, re-packed, and returned some gear Kyle had rented for Mowich. I hung out at a restaurant and ate a ton of bruschetta as I had to re-plan for Olympic due the big change in this trip. Reeking of garlic, I greasily made new camping reservations on my phone and plotted out the course for the next leg of my adventure.

Before I knew it, it was time to head out again. Siri took me on some weird roads but I made it to Olympic. The coastline nearly took my breath away. Even from the road, it was so incredible. I continued on to make it to my campground; an AirBnB spot Kyle had come across months before and stayed at. It was a on a private property along the edge of the National Park. Basically right next to the edge of the Hoh Rainforest portion of the park. It had a shelter, outhouse, a beautiful creek nearby. The perfect campsite.. Or so I thought.

While going through supplies left by the host, I found the guest journal that Kyle actually gave them and started himself. I read through all of the entries up to a couple of days before I arrived. A guest wrote “… and we even saw a mountain lion near our car!”. I nearly dropped that book. A MOUNTAIN LION?! My brain went into overdrive trying to remember what to do in case of an encounter. Could I fight it off if I had to? Maybe, I thought. I had a hatchet and a buck knife along with bear spray. Either way, I’d give it hell if it came to that.

After gathering my composure and eating a bite, I headed down to Beach #4 to watch the sunset. The moment I made it down to the beach, I was nearly in shock of the sight. The roar of crashing waves on the shore of rock and sand, washed away so many thoughts. A few people gathered on the large rock at the trail head pointed at a bald eagle down the shore. I scoped him out with my camera to get a few shots of it. While focusing on the eagle, I noticed some seals splashing around the waves. The first time I had seen seals in the wild.

After taking as many shots as I could with decent light, I headed back to camp. Upon my return I remembered that there was a potential visitor I needed to be prepared for. I built a fire in the stove and sat down to devise a plan. When I sat down on the chairs provided by the host, I noticed one was broken. They were metal lawn chairs – the kind that make a racket when you drag them or hit them with something. I suddenly had an idea.

Just outside the entry to the shelter, I rigged up the chairs as an alarm system - Certain it would make a commotion to alert me if something big was lurking just outside. Inside the open shelter, I laid out my mat and sleeping bag – knife, hatchet, and bear spray on the ground next to it. The July air was cold. The stove burned warm. Field mice scurried about the shelter ground in the light of the fire. I laughed as I welcomed their company. I thought, “At least they won’t try to kill me”…