Sometimes fate takes us down a road we didn't expect but once we arrive, we're delighted. This is what happened to us this week. Kaylanne has been reading the Twilight series of books, written in the setting of Forks, Washington, and she was intrigued to see what the town was like in 'real life'. We have this great atlas that Robert Donald gave us from State Farm that is pretty much our travel bible, and it showed a state park near Forks, so we set out to find it, missed it, found ourselves headed down a very pretty road that had no where to turn around...remember we're towing a forty foot fifth wheel...at the end of the road was the Quileute Indian Reservation and the village of La Push. We stopped at the La Push Sheriff's office (since the deputy was standing in the doorway and we were turning around in their parking lot) and asked about a camp ground only to find that a few more miles down the road was a relatively new camp ground with RV spots. On we trekked and as the deputy had directed us, found a really nice spot, with pull through sites and a view of the Pacific Ocean with great giant rocks scattered in the bay, some with trees, others standing like silent sentinels guarding the beaches which were littered with the bones of huge trees that had been washed up during a storm, apparently years ago since they were sun bleached and some even hollowed out. It is one of those scenic places you'd expect to find on a travel log or post card that we would never have found had we not "gotten lost" while looking for some place else. Kaylanne was more than happy since First Beach,where we camped,is named in the book,as are the Quileute tribe and she even got a picture of the house where one of the characters 'lived'. We checked in at the park office and met Nathan, one of the local guys, got settled and spent a restful night listening to the waves crashing on the rocks nearby. The following morning Kaylanne and I went for a stroll and ran into Nathan again and were invited to the Drum Circle that evening which turned out to be a pot-luck dinner to boot. The locals were warm and receptive and many visited with us throughout dinner. During Circle we were introduced to everyone as were the few other visitors who were also there. The drummers sang, telling stories of Quileute history and lore while the dancers told the story with their dance, reminding me of the many hula dances I have had the privilege to witness. It was such an unexpected and amazing evening of entertainment and fellowship that lasted for hours; both Tom and I wondered at how the singers, whose resonant male voices harmonized so richly and mesmerized us so completely, would even be able to talk the next day.
The following day Kaylanne, Tom and Isabella spent at the beach, much of the time in the company of our new found friend Vince. I enjoyed the quiet and darkness of the camper as I nursed a migraine. That night most of the residents of La Push participated in a great bon fire on the beach with fire works. The following day we spent exploring the little town of Forks where Kaylanne was able to take pictures of various sites mentioned in the book. That evening Vince joined us for a fun game of Crazy Rummy.
And now tonight I can barely walk after a six mile hike through the woods (in dappled sunlight) to find the waterfall we heard about during our visit to the Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort. In re-reading my little diary of events, I can see that my time line is all out of whack, but that's not important. Somewhere along the way Kaylanne and I returned to Port Angeles to see the latest installment of the series of films. Of course we just had to see it in the theater where Bella and Edward,(two main characters) had gone for a date, and we had lunch in The Lodge Restaurant in Forks, another scene from one of the books. I have never read any of the books myself, but Kaylanne pretty much filled me in on what they're about and it was kind of fun to be with her as she followed the journey of Bella throughout much of the countryside.
About half way between Forks and Port Angeles, along Highway 101, is one of the prettiest lakes I've ever laid eyes upon. It is crystal clear, like Lake Tahoe on the border of California and Nevada, and changes color from turquoise to steel blue depending upon the depth and angle of the sun. Homes flank the lake on the far side, sparsely, some had wisps of smoke that drifted up from stone chimneys and the road follows the bank so closely at times you can actually see the bottom of the lake. Fortunately there are several pull-outs along the way so we could stop and soak in the beauty and mystery of this seldom visited lake. It is forested all around and sits surrounded by steep hills, maybe mountains since some still had the remnants of winter snow at their peaks and near the banks are purple fox gloves, the sweetest little snow white daisies and myriad wild flowers. All this beauty for one's eyes and rich spicy and woodsy smells for one's nose...it is surely a place to feel the work of our Almighty God! We have driven by this lake three times during different times of the day and there has always been a little fog or low lying clouds following the curvature of the hillsides and valleys. I was completely enchanted with this place. Tomorrow is Sunday. I think I'd like to go back there, find the pull-out with the circular stone wall and pathway and have a family service with Kaylanne reading to us from her current study of Proverbs. I know for sure that we will be in His presence there and I'm pretty sure He'd approve.
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