Forks (part 3)

The group made plans to visit the Hoh Rain Forest in Olympic National Park, but since it was Sunday, Ron's traditional breakfast came first.  Nobody else wanted to go and, although we suggested that they head out to the rain forest without us, they graciously waited.  

I don't usually talk about restaurants, but the decor in the back room of The In Place was outstanding.  There were huge murals on the walls . . .

But, even more unusual, were the painted table tops.  This was ours which shows the machine that hauls the logs up the hillside, as well as the grabber that moves the logs around.  (Obviously I didn't learn much on our logging tour.  I'm sure these machines have names.)

A local waterfall - I think it's Marymere Falls, although that's down the road for us so I can't be sure.  I'll have to look for the bear when we get there.

These paintings (and they were actual paintings) covered the whole 3' by 5' tables.  It was incredible.  I would have taken more pictures, but I couldn't get the people to pick up their plates while they were eating.

At 9:15, we were ready for the 33 mile drive to Hoh Rain Forest.  What a place!  We took the 8/10 mile Hall of Mosses Trail.

I never saw any place as green.

It was cloudy and misting a bit for most of our walk, but I guess that's to be expected in a rain forest.

As soon as a tree falls, it instantly provides nutrition for new trees to grow.  None of that lying around unchanged for years like in the desert.

Ron even spotted this Sasquatch who was trying to disguise himself with moss.

Then the skies opened up and it began to pour.  We were fairly prepared and just kept walking, unlike this family who had enough sense to come in out of the rain.