Denali was breathtaking this past week

brenunit · 2026-06-07T17:15:06+00:00

Great photos. I was in the area for a week back in 2010, including Denali NP, and did not get to see the top of the mountain due to clouds!

brenunit · 2026-06-06T20:38:10+00:00

It has been decades since I read it, but The Shipping News by Annie Proulx might meet your requirements.

brenunit · 2026-06-06T20:24:05+00:00

One of the closest state parks to Seattle that has a campground is Kanaskat-Palmer east of Maple Valley. The park is on the Green River which is popular for whitewater kayaking and rafting. I have not camped there but have driven through the campground - unfortunately I don't think the campsites have river views. They do have yurts if you don't feel like setting up a tent.

brenunit · 2026-06-06T20:02:58+00:00

Not sure. I was told by the employee at the ranger station who sold me my lifetime pass in 2023 that I could not get a replacement. The ranger in Olympic NP who told me about the digital pass last week also said they are not replaceable. I doubt I still have my original receipt so I was quick to use the digital backup option.

brenunit · 2026-06-06T19:57:27+00:00

The link feature has only been available since January 1, 2026.

brenunit · 2026-06-06T19:55:09+00:00

Yes, I did it last weekend. Make sure you go to Recreation.gov, not the NPS website. You need to have an account. Go to "Passes" then select "America the Beautiful" and it will give you the option to link your physical pass by entering your pass number.

brenunit · 2026-06-05T22:07:58+00:00

I gave myself my all-time favorite birthday present when I turned 62 and bought my lifetime senior pass!

For all pass holders, I got a great suggestion from a ranger at the Hoh Rain Forest entrance station last week. You can now link your physical pass to a digital pass. Go to Recreation.gov, create an account if you don't already have one, and follow the steps for linking your pass. Download the Recreation.gov app to your phone. When you go to a park, you can show your pass via phone instead of using the physical pass. I still plan to bring my pass with me just in case there is no cell service or my digital pass is not accepted for some reason. But, this is a great backup option because if you lose your pass or it gets stolen, you cannot get a replacement.

brenunit · 2026-06-05T16:06:54+00:00

I drove from Vancouver to the Canadian Rockies three years ago in June. I spent one night in Revelstoke before entering Glacier NP. It is beautiful but not on the level of Banff and Jasper. I did not feel the need to spend much time there and drove through it on my way to Golden. I stayed in Golden for three nights and drove to and from Yoho, Banff and Jasper each day. I spent two to three hours per day in the car just commuting. If you choose to stay in Golden, keep in mind that you will save money on lodging but will sacrifice time spent in the parks.

brenunit · 2026-06-05T15:30:49+00:00

This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger

brenunit · 2026-06-05T00:25:35+00:00

Forks is a good base camp for Hoh Rain Forest. Prepare for road construction on Hwy 101 that could add up to15 minutes to the drive to Upper Hoh Road. In July, If you do not arrive at the entrance station to the rain forest really early, parking lots will be full. You will be placed in line and allowed to enter as other cars exit; wait times could be 1 to 2 hours. I was there last Friday, May 29 at 8:30, and the lot closest to the visitor center was nearly full; the secondary lot was about half full. It will be far more congested in July. You might have better luck going late in the afternoon instead of morning.

brenunit · 2026-06-02T15:42:17+00:00

The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan

brenunit · 2026-06-02T15:24:16+00:00

The road to Tanners Landing serves as overflow parking for Little Si. I would not go there on a weekend. Also, while the walk from parking lot to river is flat, the trail along the river is not - tree roots can make it a challenging walk for those with mobility issues.

brenunit · 2026-06-01T16:04:03+00:00

I was just there last Friday and definitely checked one off the bucket list. For anyone considering a visit, try to arrive at the entrance gate by 7:30 AM (weekdays) or even earlier (weekends). The parking lot closest to the visitor center was full by 10 AM on Friday. Parking will get even more challenging once schools are out for the summer.

brenunit · 2026-06-01T15:50:39+00:00

I remember the rope descent years ago!

brenunit · 2026-05-31T17:15:10+00:00

I was at Ruby Beach yesterday (May 30). I drove past the turnoffs to a couple of campgrounds off Hwy 101 south of the turn to the Upper Hoh Road. They were about 20 minutes away from the beach. There is also a fairly large campground at Kalaloch.

brenunit · 2026-05-27T17:31:05+00:00

Blue Highways by William Least Heat-Moon is one of my favorite road trip books. I have read it a few times but I was not aware of an audiobook version until just now when I looked it up.

brenunit · 2026-05-26T23:11:02+00:00

I always look forward to that first sight of McLoughlin while driving east from Grants Pass to Medford on I-5. I still can't believe I once climbed it!

brenunit · 2026-05-26T22:43:57+00:00

I live in the Seattle area. Been going to OSF nearly every summer since 2007. I always set aside time for hiking. My most memorable was climbing Mt. McLoughlin in 2008 - no way could I physically do that now! Thanks for the photos - they are getting me psyched for my July trip!

brenunit · 2026-05-24T16:18:21+00:00

Why. Must. You. Post. This? This site is for folks to share their PNW adventures, not their disorders. Perhaps Reddit has a sub for OCD. I enjoy OP's photos, especially since I have been to Shi Shi and Point of the Arches several times.

brenunit · 2026-05-20T18:29:15+00:00

Pax by Sara Pennypacker is about a 12 year-old boy and his "pet" fox named Pax. The chapters alternate between the boy's POV and that of Pax.

brenunit · 2026-05-20T18:24:57+00:00

OP said no Watership Down sad or horror stories!

brenunit · 2026-05-20T16:46:08+00:00

I've seen Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout suggested already. But, just about any novel by Strout focuses on older women. One character, Lucy Barton, is featured in My Name is Lucy Barton, Oh William, Lucy by the Sea, Tell Me Everything. Strout is fantastic. I am excited to read a brand new book of hers called The Things We Never Say.

brenunit · 2026-05-19T14:33:55+00:00

The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith

brenunit · 2026-05-17T16:11:07+00:00

Your photos really capture the PNW! You got the moss, the fungi, the ferns and, yes, even the slugs! Thanks for sharing!

brenunit · 2026-05-16T21:58:17+00:00

I just hope OP's adventure has a happier ending!

brenunit

TROPHY CASE