Trip 10: The Olympic Peninsula & Grand Finale

120x120 Mission Complete!

Just 94 days and 1 season ago, we pulled into Brooks Memorial State Park near Goldendale on a warm August afternoon. More than 5,500 miles and 119 parks later, we crossed the 120x120 finish line at rain-soaked (and quite beautiful) Schafer State Park north of Elma.

The 10th and final trip was special for other reasons as well, as my family was at my side, and we all relaxed -- for a short time anyway -- at the Lake Quinault Lodge. On the way to Quinault, we survived Ocean City, Damon Point, Griffiths-Priday, Pacific Beach and an incredibly slow dining experience at an unnamed Ocean Shores establishment. My poor mother, small in stature only, almost got blown away from one park beach to the next. Although I was disappointed in not being able to fully explore each property, it would have felt strange to not have the swirling rain and wind following us the whole weekend. Ten trips to every corner of the state, and no rain? That's not my Washington!

Sunday morning I got up early and drove north to Bogachiel State Park, hiked around for a bit and watched a large herd of elk eat breakfast on the park lawn. After coming across a fresh bear print and droppings on a park trail, I (I = just me) decided to explore a bit more of the campground before heading back home and finishing up at Lake Sylvia and Schafer. Thanks to park officials, family and friends who showed up and wished me well. After more than three months enjoying the vast array of park landscapes, the most encouraging take away from this experience has been the reassurance that our parks system is in extremely good hands.

Stay tuned for a "Best Of" parks list on my web site. I try not to play favorites, but I just can't resist highlighting some of the good, the not-so-good and downright odd things encountered while traipsing through our parks.

P.S. If you enjoy reading about local environmental issues, check out the Environmental Blog on the Seattle P.I.'s web site. James Schroeder, a policy specialist with the National Wildlife Federation, writes informative and interesting pieces about local environmental issues. He also happened to write last week's piece about the 120x120 project. But even without the nice pub, and the fact he's married to my sister, I'd still be a regular reader.

Visit my 120x120 site here.