Discovery Bay

 We spent five days exploring the Olympic National Park with the Wilsons up in Washington. It was a great trip. We hiked Staircase Rapids on our way up, stayed at Discovery Bay using the Wilson's timeshare, and made day trips to Port Angeles, Marymere Falls, Lake Crescent, Hurricane Ridge, and Fort Worden in Port Townsend.

Grant got us into the park free (saved us $30) by still being a 4th grader for a few more days. The park ranger lady was so great. She was thrilled to have a 4th grader coming with his family. She made our day with her enthusiasm. 

We had some of the best ice cream I've ever had after our Staircase hike. Olympic Mountain ice cream is amazing! Every single flavor we tried (and there were many) was delicious. 

Hurricane Ridge did not disappoint--a great hike with amazing views at the top. Kari almost ran right into a deer as she was exploring the peak alone and came running back to tell us about it (got her heart beating fast), and then we realized there were lots of deer roaming around. The clouds moved in while we were up there, but they held off long enough for us to get a 360 degree view. My knees couldn't handle any more downhill after that hike, so I hung out by the lodge in the van and enjoyed the view while the kids and dads did another short hike. 

Back at the timeshare, we played in the game room, ate dinners together, walked along the shore of the bay, swam in the pool (and made whirlpools), the kids jumped off the dock (brrr), and the dads and kids played some tennis.

Good times with good friends!