We’ve left the real world for a few days and have hopped on over to Port Angeles for a short break before school starts up again. Port Angeles is about 100 miles from where we live (by ferry) and it’s right next to the Olympic National Park. It sits on the Strait of Juan de Fuca (the waterway that represents the border between the U.S. and Canada), and Victoria, B.C. is only 20 miles by ferry.
Okay, all that being said, we had a very full first day. Before heading up to Hurricane Ridge, we stopped in Sequim (pronounced ‘skwim’) at this charming little ’50s diner to have lunch. AJ wants to go back for the milkshakes alone:
After lunch, we headed up to Hurricane Ridge for a little hike. They call it that because of the 75+ mph winds that blow through there. It was indeed a hike, and once again, I wish I hadn’t worn my running shoes (she will never, ever learn).
The views at the top were just amazing:
You can look down and see Port Angeles, as well as Victoria, B.C. on the other side of the water.
Views of the strait:
You can just see the hiking trail we used to get to the top of the mountain (there are fires burning on the range right now, hence, the haze):
Going back down, James made a comment that the only exciting animal we got to see all day was a chipmunk. Not 5 minutes later, we got to see this (can you see him?):
James found a charming, 2-bedroom, vacation home to rent while we are here. So after a long day of being out, tired and grimy, we got to come back to this (which was a very pleasant surprise as we hadn’t seen it yet):
With fabulous views of the water (#spottedtheship):
Next up, Lake Crescent… 🙂
Never A Dull Bling 
Your trip looks so enjoyable! I have always wanted to go to Sequim for the lavender festival. I hope you will have a wonderful end of summer vacation with your family! xoxoxo.
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Thank you Alana!! Xoxo
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Have a wonderful time!
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Thank you!! 😀
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Looks like you had a great day and that I’ve got competition when it comes to the mountain range photos! 😉 Enjoy your vacation.
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Haha, thanks Mike! That’s quite a compliment!! But wow, the views on top of a mountain… nothing but beauty for 360 degrees! 🙂
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Beaucoup mountains! Love it! I could go for a good milkshake too.
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I didn’t try the milkshake, but AJ swears it was the best ever! 😀 If you ever make it across the pond this way, I highly recommend this little journey up the mountain, especially for you. You would really enjoy it! I’m only sorry I didn’t turn my watch on to track the climb, lol!
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Amazing pics Paula. Hope you all have a wonderful time. 🙂 x
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Thank you Lynne!! 😀
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Can I just skip staying with my MIL and come stay with you guys while I pay you to my tour guy? You find the best places & we’re lucky if we go to the movies.
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Hahahaha! Mr. Judy would be none too pleased with any of us, lol!
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I’m not sure, but my MIL probably wouldn’t be too happy about it.
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Looks beautiful! Jealous.
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Aww, thanks Rebecca!!
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Very nice trip Paula – have a wonderful time! 🙂
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Thank you Terry! It’s been great!! 😀
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Oh that place looks gorgeous! Is it a bed and breakfast or did you book through Airbnb or something?
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It’s actually through a vacation home rental company. We like having a kitchen when we’re on vacation as we don’t want to eat out all the time, not to mention my son gets his own room, 😀
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That is a genius idea, I hate eating out all the time, it’s definitely worth it to have a kitchen.
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Hi wow fantastic scenery. Have a great trip! Had to laugh re the hike. We knoe what James is like with a hike – say no more.😤😩Jx
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Yeah, this one was true to form… not an easy one going up, haha!
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What a great hike! Fabulous views and lovely weather😊
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Thanks Julie! It really was gorgeous!
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Wow looks amazing Paula, have a fun and relaxing time!
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Thank you Lynn!! 😀
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So cool! What a great mini vacation! I’m jealous, even from my family’s Baltic Sea Weekend House 🙂
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A weekend house on the Baltic Sea! How cool is that! One of these days you really should share some pictures!! I’ll bet it’s beautiful! 😀
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I will! I have to go back again, but then I will.
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I couldn’t quite tell what animal was in the photo.
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It’s a deer. He was just sitting in the shade chewing on some grass and having a rest. 😀
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I love renting vacation homes. We rented one a couple of winter’s ago in Colorado with an amazing mountain view. Coming from the flatland’s it was a spectacular sight! What is that lighthouse looking thingy James and AJ are standing in front of? It looks quite small!!
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It’s actually a model of a lighthouse that you can hike out to on one of the spits. It’s a 10-mile hike round trip, so we weren’t quite up for it this time, but I thought the model was freaking adorable!! 😀
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ok….I was just hoping it wasn’t the restaurant you were talking about. Was wondering how you would fit in that thing 😀
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Hahahaha!!
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Ok, so this place goes on my list for when I come to Seattle. LOL!
I don’t know how or when but I gotta make it up there.
BTW, I couldn’t see the animal that was hiding in the woods?
What was it?
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It was a deer, :D. He was just kicking back watching us, it was so cool.
Yes, you need to put Hurricane Ridge on your list! And bring your hiking boots or some trail shoes!! 😀
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Oh! I probably should have enlarged it. Yes, it’s on the list! That place is magnificent!
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Beautiful, Paula. I am so envious. That diner looked like a good time and I am sure the milkshakes were out of this world. I hope you are relaxing and enjoying the adventure!
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Thank you Susan!! We’re home now, but oh, it was a great time!! I did not want to get up Monday morning and face more squirrels, lol!! (Kidding! I love those little buggers) 😀
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Looks like you had a fabulous time. The mountain views are spectacular!
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Thank you! Yes! They really were!! 🙂
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Looks amazing! And the deer! I had to stare for a while to find him
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Oh yeah! He was hiding perfectly! We actually barely saw him ourselves! 🙂
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