Quartzsite Tractor Show

We were really excited to find out that Quartzsite would be having a Tractor Show.  We were expecting to see lots of antique tractors; however, my brother-in-law has more tractors in his tractor barn than were at the show.  However, we were able to buy tickets for the Clare Lynch show on Jan 6, so not a total wasted day and I was able to take some tractor pictures.

Seaside Aquarium, Seaside, Oregon

Seaside Aquarium was opened in 1937.  It is a very small aquarium.  You encounter harbor seals when you first walk through the door, and, for a $1 you can buy some fish to feed them.  If you do so, get ready for a show as the seals try to attract your attention by making sounds or hitting their flippers against the water or the wall; don’t get too close or you may get wet.  Touching pools are available for those who don’t mind touching sea plants or animals.  Enjoyed our short visit.

 

this harbor seal would slap the wall with his flipper in order to grab your attention

wolf eel

Columbia River Maritime Museum, Astoria, Oregon

Great museum.  We started our visit by watching a movie about how the pilots get on the bigger ships to pilot them down the river.  Have to say, would not want that job.  The Columbia River is really dangerous and many ships have been lost trying to make it up the river.  There are lots of models of many of the early ships that went up the river.  Well worth the time.

Imagine going fishing on the ocean or river on this boat.

The pilots have to climb this rope ladder to get on the large vessels.  Imagine trying to do this with waves about 10’ or higher.

Model of one of the many steamboats that took people up the Columbia.  It was faster than traveling overland.

Engraved ostrich egg.

Feiro Marine Life Center

Feiro is located in Port Angeles, Wa.  Very small aquarium with 3 petting pools.  However, I did enjoy the various starfish.

 

Olympic National Park Rialto Beach

Rialto Beach is located 12 miles from Forks, Wa.  There is a sign that tells you to watch out for the logs when the tide is in or if there is a storm.  We were able to see the Hole in the Rock while we were there.  Well worth the drive.

one of the logs

hole in the rock

Olympic National Park Hoh Rain Forest

The Hoh Rain Forest receives about 200 inches of rain each year.  This is the only coniferous rain forest in the world.  We took the “Hall of Moses” trail to discover the rain forest.  Sure wouldn’t want to be there on a dark night.  By the way, the rain forest is about 20 miles from Forks, Wa.  Forks, Wa was the setting for the Twilight series which featured vampires and were wolves.

 

moss covers everything, sure don’t want to stand in one place for very long.

Olympic National Park Hurricane Ridge

Olympic National Park covers a lot of territory.  We took our first trek into the park by touring the Hurricane Ridge section.  17 miles up the road to Hurricane Ridge where you can hike 1.6 miles to the top.  So far we have enjoyed the park, but I think the Mt. Baker Scenic Byway was a lot more beautiful.

Dungeness River Audubon Center, Sequim, Wa

The Dungeness River Audubon Center is not very large, however there are lots of birds on display.  Hard to get pictures when the objects you are shooting are behind glass. 

Olympic Game Farm, Sequim, Wa

Olympic Game Farm worked with Walt Disney providing animals for movies such as “The Incredible Journey” and Charley the Lonesome Cougar, as well as The Grizzly Adams Show.  We were able to drive through the park and could have purchased wheat bread to feed the animal.  We passed on the bread as we did not want any animals sticking their heads through our windows.  Very enjoyable drive.

Mt. Baker Scenic Byway

Wow, what a beautiful drive.  The sun was shining and the car was running great.  We drove all the way up to Heather Meadows expecting to get to hike the Artist Trail Ridge but it was under the snow, even the restroom had to be dug out of the snow.  Picture lake was a short hike where we enjoyed the reflections of the mountains.

you can see the top of the restrooms

the trail is under the snow

reflection from the snow makes the ice turn blue.