La Push baby......it's La Push

Photo courtesy of the Village of LaPush

      Very much the same line used in the movie 'Twilight' we felt our destination deserved it's use as the title for this little get away.  We just came off a successful 2 day clam dig at Ocean City so we headed North for a bit.  60 clams in the freezer.

      This is a spectacularly beautiful Native American beach community located on the NW Washington Olympic Peninsula about 14 miles west of (yes, that's right) Forks.  We have been here once before, but only to play tourist and always wanted to come back.  What better place to decompress for a few days.

      Here Washington's typical flat, sandy beaches change into a seascape that consists of rocky shoreline, seastacks, ridges, and mile upon mile of driftwood.  Winter storms here can be spectacular.  Located 166 miles from mom's house in Tumwater the Quileute Tribe has a beautiful  rustic resort here right on the coast next to the harbor with great RV sites for a decent $30/night.  https://quileuteoceanside.com/  They have full hookups, as well as showers, laundry, and a small store.  It is only 14 miles into Forks for other supplies.  They also offer cabins and resort hotel rooms depending on your preferences.  Verizon provides a very nice 4 bars of LTE here.  There is , however, NO TV reception, DUH.  You are miles from anywhere.  Our plan was to relax, walk the beach with the furbabies, scour the driftwood for souvenirs, photograph spectacular shoreline and waves, and enjoy a few campfires while catered by yours truly.

Resort Cabins and Main Lodge

      As I said this coastline is rocky and incredibly treacherous for any type of boat, let alone the small fleet of fisherman that routinely navigate it's harbor.  There is a long jetty that each boat must time the incoming tide swell to enter and that is after picking their way through the entry islands, tricky tides, waves, and seastacks.  Charter boats here go out after some pretty large halibut, cod, sea bass, and salmon in these waters.

Photo courtesy of Quileute Tribal Office

       There was very little 'winter' here this year so the resort and camping areas have stayed pretty busy throughout.  There were very few empty camping spots.  Our arrival day was simply set up, unpack, and veg out.  Barb took a stroll around to check out the bathrooms, showers, and laundry.  One of the dynamics of traveling is the changing prices of campgrounds, diesel, propane, and even laundry.  Washing clothes in this park is $3 a load with dryers at 25 cents for 10 minutes.   Bones slept on the couch while Roux checked out all the evidence of previous canines.  I sat on a log and watched the ocean enjoying a Barley Pop.  Mexican was the entrée of the day for dinner.  Mission accomplished.   The following days we walked the beach, watched the seals, explored incredible driftwood, and drove over to Rialto Beach.  

LaPush Harbor entrance

LaPush Harbor entrance

Seastacks to the north

Seastacks to the west

That was a BIG TREE

Rialto Beach

LaPush sunset

LaPush Harbor Seals

     During other times of the year there many other tribal activities and festivals in the area, including the Annual Welcoming of the Whales in late spring celebrating the return of the Gray Whales to the north from their winter homes off Mexico.  thewhaletrail.org/la-push-2  There is a healthy population of Orcas and seals in the area year round.  There is even a dedicated group of surfers that visit the local beaches when the 'waves are right'.  I was looking for a place to purchase fish, but the only vendors were either local tribe fisherman selling Steelhead from their nets or smoked salmon from other locals as well.  I did purchase a couple of very nice fillets of smoked salmon from a local; incredibly friendly folks.
    While here I prepared Queso Fundido,  Estrellita Sopita, the BABS, Nachos, and Basque Oxtail Stew.  Great food on pretty cool coastal evenings.

 Queso Fundido w/chips n vegees

The BABS (Bacon, Apple, Blue Cheese, Swiss grilled cheese)

Photo courtesy of Tillamook Cheese

Oxtail Stew

      It was only 7 days, but it was the perfect getaway.  Lots of time to relax, enjoy each other, and reflect on all that we have to be thankful for.  Roux and Bones gave the week a big THUMBS UP as well.  Joie de Vivre......bark and meow.  

"Take only memories, leave only footprints"  

Chief Seattle

WiFi courtesy of Verizon MiFi