Vacation cottage/cabin in Olympic peninsula? (plus birding sites) (Seattle: rental car, rental)

[LMB]

Good suggestion, AFC! I'm not a "birder," although I do enjoy spotting unusual birds in our backyard and while out for walks. We just visited the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge last Wednesday while our son & daughter-in-law were in town. We walked the Dungeness Spit at low tide and it was so beautiful and peaceful. It was a blue sky, sunny day although wet & windy weather had been predicted for the whole area. It was the only day we were able to go, so we took a chance that Sequim's rainshadow effect would be in effect. Evidently it was in full force! There were a few people out on the Spit, including some birders I'm sure, but mostly it was a gorgeous long empty stretch of sandy beach, strewn with huge logs and lots of interesting rocks. Such a beautiful area and definitely worth checking out. We'll go back for sure, and next time I'll do some bird research first so I can appreciate the area even more.

Lynn

[allforcats]

Lynn, sounds like the kind of wonderful day that enhances the spirit! Thank you so much for telling us!

[cmacf1]

Originally Posted by LMB

Good suggestion, AFC! I'm not a "birder," although I do enjoy spotting unusual birds in our backyard and while out for walks. We just visited the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge last Wednesday while our son & daughter-in-law were in town. We walked the Dungeness Spit at low tide and it was so beautiful and peaceful. It was a blue sky, sunny day although wet & windy weather had been predicted for the whole area. It was the only day we were able to go, so we took a chance that Sequim's rainshadow effect would be in effect. Evidently it was in full force! There were a few people out on the Spit, including some birders I'm sure, but mostly it was a gorgeous long empty stretch of sandy beach, strewn with huge logs and lots of interesting rocks. Such a beautiful area and definitely worth checking out. We'll go back for sure, and next time I'll do some bird research first so I can appreciate the area even more.

Lynn

OK, now I can't WAIT for our trip! We were thinking of staying near Sequim and taking day trips from there. Dungeness NWR was one of the spots we wanted to hit on our birding quest. Would a day trip to Gray's Harbor be do-able? From what I've seen, I think I need to devote the entire month of May to our trip to Washington (I wish!) Unfortunately, we won't be there the first weekend of May .

Thanks for the contuining suggestions!

[allforcats]

Hi Cmacf. It's so much fun to see you getting so happy about this trip!

Day trips from Sequim: that depends on how much you really really want to drive in a day. The peninsula is larger than you might expect. With the big ol' Mt. Olympus in the middle of the peninsula and the Olympic National Park, Rain Forests and other nature preserves and mountains taking up most of the peninsula, there's no way to "cut across" the peninsula. The only way to get anywhere is by driving Hwy 101 around the perimeter. It's a two-lane highway from Olympia up to the north, west past Sequim to Sol Duc area, south to Gray's Harbor area. There's another highway 12 and 8 along the south side of the peninsula that connects Aberdeen and Olympia.

On Hwy 101, Sequim is at approximately Milepost 260. Gray's Harbor is at about Milepost 90. A bit of driving, eh?

The way I stay on the peninsula is one night in the south (Aberdeen/Ocean Shores/Westport), one or two nights around Forks/Sol Duc (so I can drink in all the rain forests and forget time), one or two nights in Sequim, and a night in Quilcene/Brinnon/Hoodsport area. That's because I'd rather spend most of my days wandering on foot than driving.

Here are three amazing links I use:

The world's best map of the Olympic Peninsula.
Home page:
Maps on Youra.com: Maps of Northwest, Seattle and Washington's Olympic Peninsula
Next link is the map's starter page; click on any section and a huge, detailed version of that section will open:
Olympic Peninsula Map with Olympic National Park
I printed out each large section on legal paper, and I use that every time I go wandering on the peninsula.

This is the world's strangest "road" map. A resident of the peninsula has painstakingly recorded the distances, locations and milepost numbers of every town, side road, trailhead, dangerous S curve, speed trap, waterfall, and who knows what else along Highway 101 on the peninsula:
WASHINGTON'S HIGHWAY 101 & OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK - MILEPOST 200 TO MILEPOST 100

Another nutty link: someone's photos and descriptions of their trip around Hwy 101 (and elsewhere in western WA):
Ruby Beach, along US 101, Washington State - TakeMyTrip.com
and more coastline at Beach 4: Washington State's Pacific Coast - TakeMyTrip.com
Clickable map of their whole trip:
Take My Trip.com Olympic Ring Trip

Have fun!

[allforcats]

I have a thrill for you. In Sequim there is a sanctuary called Northwest Raptor Center where for over 20 years amazing people rescue and care for, and when possible release back into the wild, all manner of marvelous winged beings plus coyotes, deer, and others
Northwest Raptor Center - Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation
Donations most gratefully accepted.

I can give you driving directions which you will need because the aviary is oddly invisible, and the phone number. I think that's considered advertising on C-D, so please send me a Direct Message if you'd like the driving directions.

[allforcats]

FYI generally, Oly Pen webcams:
Cameras on Washington State's Olympic Peninsula
Based on what I see there, rain will come to my area tonight!

Great website: U.S. Forest Service's Olympic National Forest Birding Trail:
Olympic Loop of the Great Washington State Birding Trail

Audubon's WA bird checklist:
Thuledingles » Olympic Peninsula Bird-species Check-list

Additional Oly Pen birding resources:
Eagles, warblers, mergansers: Tours to take watchful to best birding spots

Detailed info from Gray's Harbor Audubon:
Grays Harbor Audubon Society

Westport, southeast corner of Oly Pen near Gray's Harbor:
Westport Seabirds Pelagic Trips

Birding and trails around Sequim:
Accessible Trails in the Olympic Peninsula Sequim area for Wheelers and Slow Walkers

Port Ludlow, east and a little south of Sequim:
Local Port Ludlow Birding - Visit Olympic Peninsula, Washington State

I stayed here once. Heavenly and luxurious... And truly breathtaking for bird lovers. At Port Angeles near Lake Crescent (also called Crescent Lake) which is a deeply beautiful glacial lake which looks like Alaska.
Port Angeles Olympic Peninsula Bird Watching - A Hidden Haven Bed and Breakfast Inn

About Oly Pen accessible trails:
Accessible Trails in Southern Olympic Peninsula for Wheelers and Slow Walkers

A very reliable source; birding sites in WA; scroll way down for Oly Pen:
NWsource: Guide to the best birding spots in the Pacific Northwest, Seattle, Washington Cascades, Puget Sound and Olympic Peninsula

[LMB]

My husband and I drove through that area five years ago (on a 3-week Seattle-San Diego coastal roadtrip), and were astounded by the beauty of Lake Crescent. We didn't have time to stay overnight then, but vowed we'd return and stay for a few days. Maybe we'll get there this summer. Isn't there a place called Lake Crescent Lodge? Great suggestions for the OP, AFC! Makes me want to head back over to the Oly Peninsula.

Lynn

[cmacf1]

Again -- thanks so much allforcats! This is all GREAT information!! I'm thinking we may do 2 nights in Gray's Harbor, then 2 nights somewhere around Sequim. Due to DH's job, I can only be there 5 nights (unless I stay longer ). And we're doing the first night in Seattle. We MAY be able to squeeze 6 nights out of it (this is after DH's 5 day Seattle conference.) In any case, day trips from the Sequim area all the way over to Gray's Harbor is too much driving. WE'd rather be birding!

Thanks!!!!

[cmacf1]

LMB - yes there is a Lake Crescent Lodge and it looks GORGEOUS! It can be found at the name of the lodge dot com. This is one more place I can add to the list of possibilities where to stay!

[allforcats]

LMB, isn't Lake Crescent breathtaking?!! The first time I saw it, I almost drove into the mountain beside the road!!
You're right, the Oly Pen is just magical. I always expect Unicorns to walk out of the forest... :-)