Awesome, thanks! Was just worried about snow/ice but not sure how the peninsula is over the winter so wasn’t sure if that was a valid concern

This makes a lot of sense - motorcycles skip ferry lines in WA, and are cheaper than a walk-on fare.

https://www.dhs.gov/cross-us-borders

There is a critical housing shortage in Bellingham. Directing people to move to Bellingham without qualification is not telling the whole story.

Odd take. If OPs purpose is to be in the forest and near the ocean, then there’s unlimited things to do in Forks. Just walk around.

Port Angeles has a pier, and Ediz Hook is often overlooked. Fun way to spend a couple hours scanning for orcas.

One of our family friends is a photographer in the PNW and has done a few photo shoots specifically for wildflower & mountain shots - her IG is @photosby.cassandra. I remember last year her showcasing what different areas looked like as far as trees/flowers, so you may want to check out her page. Iirc it was May.

PA has a little more than Forks at least, and I spent a nice afternoon in a bookstore and outdoor shop there, plus the waterfront. Trust us when we say there’s truly nothing in Forks. I planned to spend a morning there on a road trip this summer, but ended up continuing on after about 45 minutes. Shi Shi and the coast are gorgeous, enjoy!!

Go with the car, I think you’ll end up finding it worth it in exchange for less stress worrying about your connections. It’s a beautiful drive by way of Kitsap->PA, and I think you’ll appreciate being able to stop off wherever might catch your eye.

Maybe they're into Twilight?

Yep, that all tracks.

Honestly? Rent a car. One hiccup and you're seriously SOL. You're going to the most remote, unpopulated, disconnected location in the Lower 48.

You'll see what I mean when you're here.

That's very optimistic, considering there's not a days worth of stuff to do there, unless you really like the very small logging museum and general store.

Regardless, I hope you have a great trip.

The flight I'm looking at arrives at 10:15, and there's a bus at 11:50 I could try to catch. Waiting at the airport for the 7:00 bus would be... unfortunate. Hah

I'd say the variety of a new place could hold my attention for a day. Almost anywhere can be more exciting than where you are.

NP, And at least all the people hounding you goes to show how much we love our nature!

This will be my first trip to the Pacific coast in 25+ years, and I'm really looking forward to it.

The trip from the airport is tight timewise with only a little over an hour between stops unless i build in a hotel stay. I'm landlocked in Kansas and didn't think about the ferries being delayed. That may be enough to drive my decision.

Thanks again!

I agree. It is hard to tell. And it is easy to make it look like they are in the flowers, while staying on the trail. That was the intent of my comment.

I do trust OP to do the right thing. I read other comments by OP. Others read this too. So having a good smack down telling people to stay on the trail is a benefit to the people reading this, and not commenting. I also tried to word it as both supportive, and firm.

We are full

having an extra day on either end would make that plan super solid. there might be delays with the ferries and/or tides. shi shi to rialto is amazing, you will have a blast

Evans Creek Preserve in Redmond (though it may be a bit flooded, I went in the summer once and the water level was high)

> Forks looks more interesting

It's not. Neither is PA.

I guess it's possible. Do you arrive in SeaTac before 11am? Do you want to be on a bus for 7 hours and sit in PA for an hour?

Dungeness is what I'd come up with and worked out a route plan. Seemed solid. Due to flight times would add a day on each side of the hike that would be nice to avoid, but that would allow more time in Forks or Port Angeles. (Forks looks more interesting)   We'll be hiking from Shi Shi Beach down to Rialto.

Edmonds.