My Name is Kathy and I'm a Rockaholic

We drove up the coast to Kalaloch  yesterday (pronounced Clay Lock). These knobby trees can be seen on some of the beach trails. The growths were caused by a fungus years ago however the trees are still alive.

 Aside from being my favorite spot in Washington, Kalaloch is home to my favorite rocks..which wind up in the "beach" garden at home. 

Nice flat rocks

We stopped at Lake Quinault Lodge on the way back. Built in 1926, it only took workers 10 weeks to build at a cost of $90,000. The roads in the Olympic Penninsula are where I saw my first Cougar (and second and third... as well as a black bear)

The sun poked out for a little bit at Kalaloch but generally it has been cool and overcast. Typical for the Olympic Penninsula which averages 12 feet of rain per year ( according to a brochure from Lk Quinault) Doesn't matter...I still love the area for it's rugged beauty despite areas of ugly clearcuts along the roads. Parts of the area are still heavily logged. Years ago there was a huge dispute among loggers and environmentalists concerning the Spotted Owl, which apparently has it's habitat  exclusively in these woods. Loggers of course, wanted to keep on cutting timber,which is the source of income for thousands of people in this area...the environmentalists wanted to protect the Spotted Owl. I still remember driving through the area and seeing all the signs in windows " This family supported by timber dollars". One sign stood out from the rest however...  "Out of toilet paper? Wipe your butt on a Spotted Owl"  ha