Spit Take

Our latest summer road trip took us to the west coast of Washington. Yes, that's Seattle's famous Pike Place Fish Market in my previous post. I was standing right behind one of the employees as five huge King Salmons were launched at him. I couldn't take the pictures fast enough. Did you know that Pike Place Market celebrates its 100th birthday this Friday?

However, before we wandered through the crowded market with the hordes of tourists, we spent a few peaceful days out on the Olympic Peninsula. First stop was the Dungeness Spit, the longest natural sand spit in the country and home to a wildlife refuge.



Quite honestly, I wasn't expecting much. A lot of sand, to be sure. But the simplicity of the place is what charmed us. The Spit is five miles of sand, driftwood, and ocean. And it was absolutely mesmerizing.



I've never seen my kids happier than when they gazed out over all that driftwood and began mentally designing tri-level forts and castles. The sand and the ocean were a blur to them. All they cared about was building stuff.

I walked exactly half a mile down the Spit before giving up any thoughts of traveling the entire length to see the lighthouse at the far end. Maybe we'll do that long hike some other time.

And there will be another time. My whole family is falling in love with the Olympic Peninsula of Washington. Olympic National Park is one of the most diverse, and least crowded, recreation areas I've ever visited. The roads are good, the distances not too far, and the scenery is some of the most spectacular in the country.



Most of all, the Peninsula reminds me that the simple things are sometimes the best. Children certainly don't need a lot of bells and whistles to have fun on vacation. A simple walk on the beach can spur imagination and creativity like nothing else. That's what will keep us returning to places like Dungeness Spit and Rialto Beach (the second stop on our road trip - you know I've got more photos).