Sol Duc and Lake Crescent

Next up, we were headed into Olympic National Park via a different valley, to the Sol Duc (pronounced "Soul Duck") hot springs area. On the way, we stopped a Lake Cresent for a bit.

Historic ranger station at Lake Cresent, with the coolest name ever.

Lake Cresent Lodge - they also had quaint cabins on the lake, though it's not cheap.  [Sarah's note: Fortunately, all facilities are open to the poor public (aka us) who can't afford to pay their rates, but want to wander around with the rich and famous (aka people who have jobs and can afford to stay there).]

Ahh, summer is not over yet

We thought hey, let's go for a paddle.  If we're going to to the Bowron Lakes canoe circuit one day, might as well put in some practice in idyllic conditions.

Our relatively trusty canoe. [Sarah's note: When I nervously asked the lodge person if it could tip over, she said "you'd have to be pretty special to do that."  Those of you who know how clumsy I can be will know that I was not particularly reassured by that response!]

Sarah in the prime viewing seat

The water in this lake is unbelievably clear and blue - almost as clear as the Blue Pool in the McKenzie River Valley in Oregon that we visited earlier in the summer.  Here are a couple of shots taken from the canoe with our waterproof camera.

The water is at least 20 feet deep here, and still crystal clear

Deeper water with waterlogged trees fading into the depths

Destination for our 2-hour paddle - this walking bridge

You can paddle underneath...

...into a tiny cove

Sarah at our lunch spot

Chad takes a break from doing most of the paddling grunt work [says Sarah - Chad was too gracious to point this out in his post, but I am not exactly a paddling machine].

Great sky

Wouldn't a bearded canoe guide seem more credible and confidence-inspiring to you?

Chad takes a refreshing swim after the paddle

That afternoon we headed into the mountains and stayed at Sol Duc campsite, near to the hot springs of the same name.  It was pretty popular, and full of non-campers staying on the cheap next to the springs.  (Olympic National Park campsites are very well maintained and super cheap at $12-$14 a night.  These were the lowest prices we paid all summer, and most of them were as nice as or nicer than the others we were paying $20+ for.)

At Sol Duc, despite signs about food handling posted all over the campsite (on every entrance, washroom and campsite picinic table), most people left all of their food out all day long, and we got to watch stellar jays and squirrels go to town and rip it all to shreds.  [Sarah's note: When the couple at the site across from us returned to find that a squirrel had eaten through the lid of their dish soap the lady mused, "maybe squirrels like to eat dish soap".  Right...]

Our Sol Duc campsite - now this is luxury.  The site is tiered!

We were going to go on a day hike the next day, but ended up feeling lazy so we just went to the hot springs and then a quick walk to the nearby falls.

Sol Duc hot springs - very minerally and slick without too much sulphur aroma [Sarah's note: Chad didn't think there was much of an aroma, but I thought the place stunk of rotten onions.  Despite the fact that these weren't my favourite hot springs ever, they were incredibly relaxing.  We wandered around in a happy hot springs induced haze for the rest of the day].