our big camping trip

Earlier this month, we spent about a week in Olympic National Park in WA. It was a blast. The trip was originally slated to be much longer, and include other stops like Mt. St. Helen's, Mt. Rainer, and Crater Lake. Unfortunately, inclement weather, the flu, and car troubles conspired to send us home early - but despite all that it was one of the best trips we've ever taken, in one of the most stunningly beautiful locales imaginable.

Here's Mae at Mt. St. Helen's. This is about all we saw. It was, erm, snowing.

So - we hightailed it over to Staircase campground in ONP, which may be my favorite campground I've ever stayed at.

Mae liked it because our campsite was river-adjacent, which meant she could throw rocks to her content.

On a hike opposite the river from our campground. This kid loves bridges.

And signs.

Next, we visited the Mountainous section of the park, which provided stunning views and very satisfying camping.

Did I mention that the park is surrounded by the ocean?

She's a good little hiker - just slow. We have to check out every stick, bug, leaf, tree, and puddle we pass.

Proof that I was on the trip.

Second Beach, near Rialto Beach. Our new favorite beach.

She's really into trying to do somersaults right now. She doesn't succeed very often, though.

Decided she had to go pants-less, for some reason.

Eating dinner by the fire.

At the Hoh rain-forest in the park. The greenest place on earth.

We almost fell in when she saw a dog on the trail and started howling at it.

With her cousin Sarah at Second Beach.

After a week of camping, we spent one night in a hotel in Astoria before coming home. I won't say this was Mae's favorite part of the trip, but she was ecstatic about the swimming pool (and, sadly, the TV.)

Back in Oregon.

Maeby and Shirley - inseperable.

Walking like a cow at the Tilamook cheese factory.

Sharing some ice cream with mama.

Skipping down to the lighthouse - our final stop before coming home.

She pounded on the side demanding to be let in. I'm not sure why.