Friday afternoon we packed up the car and headed to the Edmond’s Ferry (next year we will get an earlier start – got to the terminal at about 12 and waited for a couple hours) for a weekend getaway on the Olympic Peninsula. Of course I had forgotten it was Lavender Weekend in Sequim (if you like Lavender then this is for you) for us this just meant lots of cars driving 25 in a 60 so it took us a bit longer than planned to get to our destination.

About an hour from Port Angeles, just past the double bridges over the Sol Duc River, we arrived at our home for the next two nights…Sol Duc Tent #glampingnotcamping. Very cute tent with a queen bed, outdoor shower, a firepit with twinkle lights on the trees overlooking a peaceful pasture of wildflowers and beautiful sunsets.

After a long day we were starving so we drove back into Port Angeles for dinner.  I was craving oysters so after going over our options we settled on Kokopelli Grill. The New Orleans style oysters; Fresh Sequim Bay Jades, fire grilled with a garlic tequila butter, topped with parmesan cheese and cilantro, were amazing but we ate them so fast I forgot to take a picture (I have asked the restaurant if they will send me one). My main course was grilled halibut with a basil risotto cake, another delicious dish. I highly recommend this restaurant (make reservations as it gets very busy).  After dinner we watched the sunset over the pier and on our drive home. Back at our tent, we sat by the firepit and made s’mores (P.S. I use Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups not Hershey’s).

We woke up early (its hard to sleep in when the sun comes pouring into the tent) and drove to Lake Crescent Lodge where we decided to spend the entire day. We started out by hiking up to Marymere Falls, this is a pretty easy hiking with only a 500′ elevation and 1.8 miles roundtrip. The view from the top is lovely as is the walk along the lake and through the forest getting to the trail. I am hoping to be able to climb Storm King next year, with a 2000′ elevation and 3.8 miles round trip it is the steepest hike on the Peninsula.

After our hike we walked back to the lodge for lunch before kayaking. I ordered the Heirloom Tomato Bruschetta and their Northwest Seafood Chowder, the perfect lunch before heading out to kayak on the Lake.  We spent about an hour and a half on the lake, it was pretty windy so I was not sure how my inflatable kayak would perform but it was great.  My shoulders are a bit sore but it was worth it.

After a long day of hiking and kayaking we decided it was time for wine so we headed out to Harbinger Winery. After our tasting with the lovely Kelly and Molly, our hosts, we stayed for a glass of wine and a cheese plate.  Loved relaxing on their patio and I left with a bottle of the Roussanne and their Blackberry Bliss (I plan to use this to make a spritzer by adding club soda).  We decided to end the day back at the lodge for dinner and sunset. Their Dungeness Crab Spaghetti Aglio e Olio  with Parmigiana Reggiano, Taggiasca Olive Oil, Garlic, Lemon Zest, Crushed Red Pepper was amazing.

Sunday morning we woke up early to enjoy brunch at First Street Haven before heading home.  I recommend the Blackberry Bran Muffin and the Farmers Omelet.

If you are looking for a great weekend getaway look no further than the Olympic Peninsula and Lake Crescent.

Happy Travels