Living Our Dream: Revisit to the Strait and Neah Bay

A goal for coming back to the Pacific Northwest was to ride along the scenic shoreline of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and to visit Neah Bay/Cape Flattery. Picked a beautiful day to do this, the high temp was 69 and very clear skies. It seems I get such a wow by being by the water. We drove along Route 112 through the forests, had to really pay attention to the road and all the logging trucks. We counted 27 in a period of 30 minutes. And they were really booking along the twisty narrow road.

Where we are and our route to Neah Bay and Cape Flattery

Fields of fox glove - just a beautiful fuchsia

Passed through Clallum Bay and went exploring a bit in Sekiu. I was going to try to get us a camp sight in this little ocean side town but it would not be practical - have to drive over 50 miles to a full grocery store. Was exactly as we remembered it.

Stopped in at Pillar Point to gaze out at the Strait

Yuck on the toxicity

That's Canada across the way - about 20 miles across, eh?

These bad boys own the road

I was mesmerized by the water

Continued on into Neah Bay and the Makah Indian Nation's headquarters. Stopped in front of the fishing fleet and had a quick bite to eat after grabbing a cup of coffee at a local espresso kiosk. Lots of people around, some new buildings. Stopped at the museum and purchased our pass into the reservation (good for all year) and drove on to Cape Flattery. Found the trail head and began the walk to see the northern, western point of the US and Tatoosh Island.

This was our view while drinking coffee and having a snack

The trail was 1/2 mile long, rated moderate but for me it was very difficult. Hard to walk on uneven ground with a walking boot on. Had stopped at Olympic Hospital in Port Angeles the other day to get an x-ray of my foot since it continues to hurt. Did not find any broken bones but possible could be a strain, sprain or tear in the tendons, muscles, ligaments. So, on came the boot. Ugh. Just can't win with that foot!

Oh, so classy

I like their logo - an orca with an eagle riding on top

The last time we had visited it was clear to the island (automated, not manned at the lighthouse) but not beyond where as this time we could see Canada (22 miles away across ) very clear. Lots of freighter traffic, did not see much in wildlife like we did before but the views were stunning. Every direction you could see - just beautiful. Sea stacks, birds floating around, clam diggers (a type of duck) bobbing in the water. Cormorants sailing by. The tide was out and to see the kelp in huge bunches - was looking for sea lions and harbor seals but did not find any.

Start of trail - I can do this - flat, wide, no problem!

Then it got a little dicey

And then it got a bit rougher, but I could hear the ocean - it was calling!

Got back into Neah Bay and went to the smoked fish stand - Kim was not home so we waited. And waited and waited. The neighbor next door said that 'back in a few' which was a sign posted on the door could mean 5 minutes or 5 days - we were on Indian time. We think the neighbor called Kim to say there were customers and Kim showed up shortly, especially since we had the placard in the window saying we paid to visit the reservation. Yummmmm - smoked salmon! Like candy.