Maybe the Best Place

For Catelynn and I's birthdays, we decided to spend the long weekend away from the hustle and bustle. And so did everyone else because it was indeed Memorial Day weekend, meaning we were chased for hours by the hustle and bustle until we finally escaped deep into Olympic National Park. Even then, I was anxious that we would arrive at the end of that long dirt road and find a full campground. It would only take 30 people with the same idea for their weekend, and there are millions living within a 3-4 hour drive from here. To my amazement and relief, two-thirds of the campground was empty. I guess there's still some hope for this world.

No more than 20 minutes later, the Portland crew (Sophie, Collin, Brendan) rolled in too. With a surprise guest, the one and only Allie Deere(!), who flew up from San Diego to give us a second chance with birthday camping trips (the last was 4 years ago now, wow). What great friends we have 😃

Camping here, of course, requires a day walking in the woods. Lots of oohing and aahing at massive ancient douglas-firs, followed by a long riverside lunch break watching dippers fly up and downstream at reckless speeds.

The next morning brought rain. Not enough to dampen the day, but enough to give everything a fresh glow for my walk through the adjacent meadows and stands of bigleaf maples. I am almost sure this is the best place.