Hello, Washington

Aim: Washington - Complete!!! We made it to our destination state!

Washington in sight! Crossing the Columbia River

We crossed over the Columbia River from Astoria, OR to the state of Washington. While Rae tried to refrain from hurling on the steering wheel over the bridge I received a call - my home town of Moore had been destroyed by another tornado.

{Heart sink.}

The pinnacle moment of passing into the state we have been headed for these past months was shaken with news of things over which I had no control. Such a double-edged sword - being where you want but too far away to help in tragedy. We kept close contact with everyone, and the silver lining was that my being out of disaster range allowed my phone to get in to those who couldn't call out. I was able to contact everyone before continuing deep into the trees of Western Washington. Thankfully, everyone we know is safe, though some no longer have homes. The ache of not being there to help, hug, and comfort left a lump in my throat for weeks to come.

pulling Scampi into the Olympic National Forest!

 

Olympic National Forest

We drove up the West coast headed toward Forks, WA. There, just outside town and deep in the trees of the Olympic, we met some dear loves - Megan and Kevin. They welcomed us, Rumi and Scampi to stay for as long as we wished on their five acres of land.

Megan and Kevin have been homesteading for a couple years now. They are inhabiting their first home, a pallet house made with mostly recycled materials, while they dig into the earth to build their "hobbit home." They tend their goats, herding and milking and loving. They drink fresh goats milk (the best I've ever tasted, I might add) and feast of eggs from their chickens and elk jerky from the generous neighbor. The ducks waddle around snacking on slugs and quacking happy duck quacks. The rain falls and settles on the leaves, salmon berries begin to grow and blackberry brambles line every path. This place is gorgeous.

Rae helping with the kids

Mama Megan with her kids

Bogachiel River

Bogachiel River

This is Panda, he's a lover

Kid kisses!

mama loves

Bald eagles are everywhere up here

Megan showing us the garden plans

The name "Milktopia" was termed for the land, as the fresh supply of goats milk was a delight for each day. Rae and I are so drawn to this life - self-sustaining, quiet, in harmony with nature and dirt under the nails. It's what we want. It's the dream we want to see through, but for now we have plans in the city. Getting our feet wet with the area, jobs, experience, money saving. This was a hard place to leave behind, but everything in the right time.

One of our days near Forks we drove out to LaPush. The images speak for themselves. I loved this place.

This guy was irritated by our presence

Trail to the beach at La Push, WA

La Push, WA - Second Beach

On our way out of Forks we spotted a herd of wild elk. They didn't pay us much attention except for a curious look while we stopped the car and fumbled for our cameras. Nature, totally wild and uninhibited.

The Olympic Highway

The Olympic Highway passing by Lake Crescent. Be still, my heart.

Port Angeles, WA

The ferry from Bainbridge to Seattle!!

These are our excitement faces.

And there it is, folks. First view of our new home.

And here it is: the whole trip.
April 8  -May 23, 2013
6.5 weeks on the road
3,424 base miles

Hello, Seattle!