I started on the morning of the reunion (Saturday, August 16) from Suquamish after a superb breakfast at a little farmhouse out in the country. I had spent a couple of days with Margaret and Randy, and the breakfast was their treat as I set out on my journey to Forks. The weather was not cooperating; it was cloudy and gloomy and threatening to drizzle. But, then, that's why it's so green in this part of the country. The first part of the trip, along the Strait of Juan de Fuca's southern shore, was through country that by now is fairly thickly populated, up until one reaches Port Angeles.

I stopped in Port Angeles at the urging of my bladder and found a public restroom. After powdering my nose, I went on to a supermarket, where I bought gifts for the people I would be staying with later in the trip. Then I resumed my trip down 101 towards Forks. Once you leave Port Angeles, the country is beautiful, as you dip into Olympic National Park at Lake Crescent. Miraculously, at the same time, the sun broke through and I was able to wonder at the beauty of God's country.

My first sight was awesome.

Each curve brought more spectacular views.

I continued on toward Forks through the spectacular scenery. On the way towards Forks one crosses rivers many times, particularly the Elwha and the Sol Duc. For the first time in my memory, I saw these rivers nearly dry, just beds of gravel with small trickles of water, a result of months without rain, so highly unusual up here.