Day 7 continued ...Rialto Beach

 Because the tide was in, Salt Creek wasn't going as planned and the boys needed a nap, we headed out (WAY OUT) to Rialto Beach.  We had to cross over into vampire territory.  No, seriously, there were signs stating that we were now entering "Vampire Territory".   If you haven't heard, Forks, WA is the home town of Bella Swan. 

The beach was made up of little pebbles.  Not sand, but little black pebbles.

 Joe and I stayed cuddled in our beach towel while Ben and Max walked up the beach.

 

While they were walking Joe and I built a rock wall.  To find rocks this large you had to watch as the tide went out.  The water leaving would reveal them, and we would try to pluck them before another wave came to get us wet.

Once Max was helping the construction moved right along.

Ben and I watched the kids play til sun set.

 And then it was cold and time to go, the moon was up and the fog was rolling in.

Day 7 - Salt Creek

Eggs and hash browns for breakfast and then off to Salt Creek.  We checked the tide charts and figured we would have enough time to get a little way out there, but...it was coming in too fast to get very far. Ben went out on Tongue Point while the boys and I threw rocks.

This is the cliff my brother Josh and I would slide down to get to the beach when the tide was in.  Now, it is all fenced off.

After hiking on the trail we decided it was warm enough to go and play in the water. 

 Max on the same boogie board that I used when I was his age.

After being told that we must move tot he OTHER side of the creek (long story), we got frustrated and decided to go to Rialto Beach. 

Day 6 continued...

 On our way down from Hurricane Ridge the boys fell asleep.  We pulled into the parking lot by the aquarium.  Ben set out on foot to find us some lunch.  I fell asleep in the car with the boys.  By the time we were all awake and had fries and a shake from the DQ (which should be torn down.  It smelled like I remembered and still had yucky floors and bathrooms) we had missed the little kid aquarium by 5 min.  They had closed. I was hoping Max and Joe would have been able to squish a sea slug or something.  So we went out on the dock. 

 Joe wouldn't venture out on the dock.  He barley even walked on the pier.  He doesn't like bridges, planks...things with cracks.  Max was a little leery of the dock also, but I think that is because Ben kept rocking it. 

 At the top of the tower the breeze was strong and the height was "freaking" Max out.  Notice Joe not standing on the platform?  Max didn't like how the tower was swaying...so we headed down and to the store for some crab legs for me for dinner.  Ben ended up making crab cakes for himself. 

Beautiful Port Angeles.  Too bad the kids on the dock (in the picture) were all dressed in black with studded jackets, chains and baggy skater pants and were cursing up a storm. To bad that while Ben was on foot he was approached by a guy who wanted a cigarette and insisted that Ben had one to give to him.   None the less it was a great day. 

Day 6 - Hurricane Ridge

Some of us slept in, some of us got up early to see the sun rise through the fog.

And of course Max got up to play PBS Kids on the computer. 

Our vacation house had wireless internet, DVD player, and a full kitchen.  We had french toast for breakfast and then we were off to Hurricane Ridge.  If we had been aware of the new "Parks Green Pass" we would have bought one first thing upon entering WA.  I think a pass is $30.00 and it gets you into all of the State Parks.  So after our trip I think we payed $45.00 because we paid at each park.   Hurricane Ridge with out the "Green Pass"  is $15.00 a car load.

Beautiful views!

The boys were troopers.  The trail was easy enough, just long for them.  It was actually hot so we had to rest in the shade.  We didn't think to bring bug repellent. When ever the breeze wasn't there, there were mosquitos. Lucky for us an elderly couple shared theirs.  They thought the "bug" dance that Max and Joe were doing was hilarious. 

Ben and I were glad to be amongst the trees.

Max on the run.

We got to a certain point and this was the general consensus from the kids. We were so close to the top so the kids and I rested and had a snack, Ben ran to the top.  The passer by's looked oddly at the boys, being they were the youngest ones on the mountain and they were not decked out in "hiking gear" like all of the tourists.  Then they were looking oddly at Ben because he was running up this "mountain".  Little did they know Ben has ran up many mountains.(ie Speed Goat 50k)

We met back up and headed down.

down...

( I love this picture of My Boys)

At the Visitor's Lodge we had Black Berry Honey Lavender Ice Cream.  So Yummy.

After a few bites...

Joe was back to normal.