pnw adventures: ruby beach

View from the trail

Our last stop during on day at the Olympics National Park ended up being Ruby Beach.  Ruby Beach is on the southwest corner of the Olympic Peninsula.  It is a long drive to get there.  We made it during sunset.  It was mid tide when we arrived but rose quickly while we were there. 

Traversing the driftwood.

We walked and climbed over the driftwood.  It was not close to the water at this time, but you still had to be cautious of shifting.  The driftwood was beautiful and has given an idea for a bathroom re-do.  I want this beach to be the theme in my bathroom.  It's not what you think of as a typical beach.  You expect swimsuits, sun tanning and swimming at beaches.  If that's what you want, go somewhere else.  This beach is untouched and protected landscape. 

Tanner capturing the sites.

There is a large creek named Cedar Creek that runs into the ocean.  We did a little biology lesson.  I, even, had Tanner taste the water to figure out what type of water it was.  (Mostly fresh with a salty after taste)

We spent quite a while along this creek, skipping stones and collecting them.  I have a fun video from them skipping stones.  Tanner is an expert.  At Ruby Beach, you can take one handful of stones, rocks and/or shells that you collect.  I did find a beautiful stone to bring home, but I left it in my cousins car. :( I was going to add it to my front porch, next to my rocks from Crazy Horse.

Peyton

Peyton is hanging out on the beach.  He did go to touch the water and decided against getting any more wet.  In the background, there is an island with a huge lighthouse.  The island in the background is named Destruction Island because of the battles between the Quinault Tribe and British/Spanish explorers.  The island is named in remembrance of those who died.  As you can see, the waves are quite large and the tide is coming up fast!

My niece, Scarlett, is in the foreground.  There are a few sea stacks in the background.  Sea stacks are created by erosion.  They used to be a part of an outcropping of land.  The erosion lead to them being completely surrounded by water.  The waves erode the softer rock and leave the more resilient rock behind.  Sea stacks provide sanctuary for birds to nest.  Some birds do not come any closer to the land than the their homes there.  The sea stacked pictured is Abbey Island and it is the most photographed feature at the beach.  Wonder why?

All three of my kids are on top of a sea stack that was not surrounded by water at the time we were there.  It was a great place for climbing. 

Alli enjoying the sunset.  She did go looking for tide pools, but it was too high at the time.  We did find a small one but it had one creature in it.

The sun was in the perfect spot.  It really was the best way to end the day.

Ruby Beach is located about 3.5 hours from Seattle.  (We arrived back around 1 am)  The beach is right off highway 101.  There are many marked signed where you need to turn in.  It is a short jaunt from the parking lot to the beach.  It is all down hill to get there, all uphill to get back.  It is not difficult.  You can also pick edible fruit that you see along the trail.  There are some raspberries and blackberries.

This is the driftwood that is inspiring me.