Vandrea Does America: Day 7 (Wednesday 6/27/12)- La Push, Mora, Lake Ozette, Port Angeles, WA

As you can see from the places above today was busy. We quickly left Forks in the morning and headed to Rialto Beach in Mora which is right outside of La Push. This beach was breathtakingly beautiful and we walked along it's length. At one point we had to pass over a mini creek made in the sand. Isaiah hopped over it with no problem and like the gentleman he fashioned me a log bridge to cross over. Instead of the normal make up of OR beaches this beach was full of rocks in all different shapes, sizes and colors with one thing in common; they were all incredibly smooth. Not a jagged rock on the beach, it was really cool to see. Lots of rockhounds scouring through the gems on the beach as well. One of my favorite beaches yet. We then headed to First Beach in La Push which is really similar to Rialto beach, we even saw bald eagles resting on the small island like rocks sprinkled in the water like we had at Rialto.

Then it was time for a long drive. Driving miles and miles out in the country has so far proven to be worth it and this wasn't an exception but not for the reasons you would think. We ended up hiking over 6 miles to see Cape Alava which was disappointing but thankfully the hike was lovely. The vegetation in this forest was much different than the others with large leaved flowers springing up along the ranger made wooden trail and lots of moss carpeting the forest floor. Some of the very cool things we saw and heard that made it worth the drive were: A very loud and guttral growl echoing through the forest (we can't be sure but think it was a cougar), creeks with a red tinge to their water and right before we left three playful river otters putting on a show. We tried to get pictures of the otters but they are quick little things! The day came to a close with a stop at the Port Angeles library and then a walk along it's waterfront. We had just missed the Dixieland concert on the pier but unfortantely didn't miss the teenage boy trying to make seagull sounds but actually sounding more like a dying cat. We then called it a night at the Walmart. -A