Seconds With Steff

Last night’s sleep was not the best I’ve ever had… Hunter snored like a freight train and due to the amount of rainfall in Forks the room was damp and had an odor. I mean it was a clean room … there was nothing wrong with it, but it just smelled, so around midnight I’ve had it. I got up, turned Hunter over onto his belly, and put Biofreeze underneath my nose, which actually worked quite well. I mean I was that desperate.

All that gave way to an epic day. We said goodbye to Forks in the early morning, so we could arrive at The Hoh Rainforest before anyone else. Yes… America has a Rainforest… who knew?

The rainforest is about 40 minutes off 101. About 15 minutes into the drive, we were greeted with a large sign declaring parking lot as full and to expect up to two hour wait sign. Although I knew about the wait times, I also knew to be there early! It was 7:20 in the morning, and I just didn’t believe the sign. As I continue to drive of course my anxiety levels increased. As I read Hunter‘s ID and National Park Access Pass, I pulled to the main gate and realized it was closed. We continued on and found the parking lot, practically empty. Stupid sign! There’s two main trails in The Hoh Rainforest. It was wildly suggested that The Hall of Mosses Trail was the far superior of two and with not a whole abundance of time I knew I had to choose one. It was stunning!

As Hunter and I walked into the trail head, there is a sign that says go only to the left one way only which I, of course, completely missed because I was following my AllTrails app.

So Hunter and I went against the way you’re supposed to go, but it was the most beautiful trail. I hope the pictures do it some small amount of justice. I feel like these pictures are far better than yesterday’s at Hurricane Ridge but you judge.

And also, I just wanted to reiterate the drive in and out of the forest is just stunning river that the most gorgeous thing you’ve ever seen

We then headed to Ruby Beach but it was down-pouring so we got on picture.

I had been most looking forward to our next stop: The Tree of Life. With its roots hanging between two bluffs, it’s just spectacular to see in person!

So once again no matter how much you plan, things can go sideways. I had a very specific note on my itinerary where I wrote do not park at trailhead park right next to World’s Largest Sitka Spruce. That did not help me one bit once we got there. There was very little signage, I had no idea where it was, and it took us quite a while to figure it out. With Hunter getting frustrated, we wound up parking at the trailhead and walking the trail in the rain… When we got to the tree there was absolutely 100% parking right next to it as part of an RV park so if I had just written the address down I would’ve done much better so new lesson learned! In the meantime, check out the big tree!

On the way down the coast we made quick stops to see the World’s Largest Oyster and Chopsticks.

When I was in seventh grade, I went to see The Goonies for a birthday party, and I thought it was the greatest movie I’d ever seen. It still ranks as my third favorite movie of all time! I distinctly remember when they announced that Harry Potter would be made into a movie. Whenever someone grumbled about how terrible it was going to be, I reassured them, saying, “It will be fine. Christopher Columbus wrote The Goonies,” (with some other guy names Steven Spielberg). Although, I still want to know what Stef was doing with her head in the bucket grabbing the crab in the opening scene. So, let’s go down memory lane; “Trust your dear old mother, boys. Throw ‘er into four-wheel drive and hold onto your hats.”

First stop was the Astoria Jail used in the opening scene of the movie as Jake Fratelli escapes! It is now a small film museum.

Flavel House is where Mikey and Brandon’s dad worked and is right across the street

Mouth’s House

LC Bowl- Where Chunk sees the cop chase

Astoria Coffee Co- Where Rosita gets stuck in said cop chase.

Data’s House

The Walsh House!!!

DREAM COME TRUE!

But we still had ground to cover, so on we went…

Seaside Aquarium looked cute and I figured it would be a Hunter Fun Stop! Alas, it took about ten minutes because he watched the seals for a while. But yes, the entire aquarium is one room.

Plus there’s a Lewis and Clark statue

And then I got to continue on my Goonies Tour in Ecola State Park.

A few weeks ago, I purchased an Oregon State Park Parking Pass for $30. Not sure if I will make my money back, but I thought it was kind of smart… we’ll see.

Ecola was so so so pretty! With a plaque dedicated to The Goonies, I couldn’t help feel seventh grade Stephanie be all excited about walking through the memories of the rag tag gang…cause 50+ Stephanie was totally cool about it and didn’t run all over the place at all!

And then the quickest of quick stops in Cannon Beach for pics of Haystack Rock. I’m really sad that we didn’t get to do anything but snap a few pics on the short walk to the beach. It looked like the cutest beach town. And that rock was…enormous doesn’t cut it!

On the drive from Cannon Beach to Garibaldi.

While I was planning this trip, I watched a lot of videos. Traveling Robert is a favoutire of mine, and I noticed as he pulled his RV into a campground, that there were cabins, so I got an idea … instead of a hotel, let me see if any of the campgrounds along the way have cabins, so tonight we will stay at the Harborview Inn & RV Park. Upon entering, it’s cute and clean and spacious and a comfy mattress with extra pillows!!!! I’m in!

Plus the view are gorgeous!

Vertullo Summary – Rainforest and The Goonies