The Vampires

(Post delayed due to internet access issues)

Today we drove to the most north western points, the very edge of the peninsula where the Ma--  Indian Reservation is located.   The secondary road out was not listed as scenic, but certainly was.  It traveled along the mt on one side and the straight on the other.  Filled with snake curves, it did have guard rails and that made a big difference.  It was beautiful.

Along the way we say 3 bald eagles flying.  The first time we’ve ever seen them in the wild.  They are far more impressive that way.

The reservation was a sad place.  Lots of poverty and more signs about not doing drugs.  The museum was fantastic.  One of the best ever, I think.  But probably one that \is rarely seen \given it’s location.  It is over an hours drive from Port Angeles and  PA is a good hour from other places.  So unless one is visiting the park and takes the time for the side trip, the res is out of site out of mind.  A shame.

Since we were in the neighborhood, we traveled to Forks, famous only for vampires.  What trip.  The place is a small mountain town.  It is the home of the lumber museum, another fun small museum.  It too was pretty good, but not among the best.  It was pretty simplistic and at times reaching.  Frankly, without it’s vampire fame, Forks would be nothing.  And when the movie fame dies, it will go back to nothing.  But right now, they are still riding their 15 minutes.  The visitor’s center sells photocopied maps with directions to significance locations.  They have a “Dr. Cullen’s” lab coat, you can try on, T’shirts, etc.  Throughout town (mostly 2 blocks worth) there are signs for tours - a tour bus.  People, and not young people either, posing for pictures at the high school and dressed up in customs for the picture.  Weird.

We drove back to PA via the park and Crescent Lake which was also visually amazing.  Tall mt and big lake.  The lake was also the prettiest shade of teal I’ve ever seen.  This route too had white birch trees.  Absolutely gorgeous.