This photo journal includes a few of the 300+ digital pictures taken during our recent Pacific Northwest roadtrip. Our trip covered 1,200 miles by car over nine days. Planning the trip was assisted greatly by the tripadvisor and Roadtrippers websites, as well as the websites of individual motels and restaurants.

driftwood and James Island

La Push, Washington

La Push, Washington, is a small village on the northwest coast of the Olympic Peninsula. The Quileute Tribe has lived there for over 1,000 years. The rocky beaches are strewn with driftwood and small islands have been carved by the ocean.

sunset behind James Island

La Push, Washington

The ocean view from First Beach at La Push is toward the west. Even an overcast day can end with a beautiful sunset.

Moonset over James Island.

La Push, Washington

We were lucky to wake up to see a spectacular moonset at dawn over James Island.

Cliff, rocks and ocean at First Beach

La Push, Washington

The day before had been overcast and foggy, but that did not stop us from enjoying hikes along Second Beach and Rialto Beach, both a short drive away from the La Push settlement and First Beach.

After the morning moonset, the sun broke through on the day of our departure. Our next stop was Victoria, British Columbia, which we reached via the Coho Ferry out of Port Angeles, Washington.

Victoria’s Inner Harbour is the backdrop of downtown. The banner picture at the top of this post and the picture below show sunset at the marina on different nights.

Inner Harbour at sunset

Victoria, British Columbia

Victoria is an eminently walkable city. We left the car parked at our hotel and walked all over. We probably covered more than 10 miles on foot during our two-day stay.

Those who tire of walking can take a water-taxi to get around in Victoria. We worried about getting sea-sick.

water taxi crossing the Inner Harbour

Victoria, British Columbia

Our journey next took us north from Victoria to the town of Qualicum Beach, which hugs the eastern shoreline of Vancouver Island by the waters of the Strait of Georgia.

blue heron in the water at Qualicum Beach

Qualicum Beach, British Columbia

The sunset at Qualicum Beach provided another tranquil moment for reflection.

sunset

Qualicum Beach, British Columbia

The boat set sail the next morning, and, figuratively, so did we.

sailboat in the morning

Qualicum Beach, British Columbia

But we stayed long enough in Qualicum Beach for a walk through Milner Gardens. The 70 acres of gardens and woodlands are the legacy of the late artist Veronica Milner. Veronica’s mother was a cousin of Winston Churchill, and both Veronica and Winston were descendants of the First Duke of Marlborough, which made them relatives of Princess Diana. The Prince and Princess of Wales visited the garden in 1986, and Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip stayed at the estate for three days in 1987. The estate was acquired by Vancouver Island University in 1996.

The gardens are noted for their collection of some 400 rhododendrons, which, unfortunately for us, were not in bloom during our early September visit. Well, that is another reason to go back.

Leaving Qualicum Beach, we turned the car back south and spent the night in Duncan, notable for its collection of more than 80 totem poles. I took lots of totem pole pictures but have omitted them from this water-themed photo journal.

sailboat heading out into the Strait of Juan De Fuca

Victoria, British Columbia

We returned to Victoria to catch the Coho Ferry to cross the Strait of Juan De Fuca again, this time southbound for Port Angeles. Our next stop was Astoria, Oregon.

marina at Astoria, Oregon

Astoria, Oregon

We walked through the small marina near our hotel the next morning. Although not shown in this picture, the marina has been occupied by a large herd of mostly slumbering sea lions. The ones not slumbering spend their time barking at each other. This has caused some guests at the hotel to complain about the noise.

morning fishing

Taft Beach, Lincoln City, Oregon

The last stop on our Pacific Northwest roadtrip was Lincoln City on the Oregon coast. We awoke to heavy fog and a misty morning, but the weather seemed perfect for fishing. Meanwhile, the seagulls made breakfast out of whatever it is that seagulls find in the sand.

seagull foraging in the sand

Taft Beach, Lincoln City, Oregon

The sun broke through the morning mist just for us and only for the little while that we took for our morning beach walk before getting on the road and heading for home.

beach and surf

Taft Beach, Lincoln City, Oregon

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