Sam and I had been on the road a few weeks by the time we found the campground at Kalaloch Beach  (“clay-lock”) in Olympic National Park, Washington.

For this last Scamp I had set up what turned out to be an exhausting pace, driving hither and yon (that’s a real place on the west coast, I swear) to see the National Parks. Sam and I were both ready for a major slowdown – long beach walks, no driving, naps.

We found a sweet spot at the Kalaloch campground, a two-minute walk from the path down to the shore. We went to sleep with the roar of the ocean, and woke up to fog and a blissful cool and damp after so much fire and smoke. We walked on the beach morning, noon, and evening, with Sam off leash and me poking along behind. Heaven.

Kalaloch Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington

Ahhh.

Kalaloch Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington

Otherworldly landscape.

Kalaloch Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington

There were random trees embedded in the sand.

And then, there was this:

Kalaloch Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington

Didn’t you just feel your heart rate slow down?

Kalaloch Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington

Oh. My.

Kalaloch Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington

Okay, one more.

Plus, sea anemones:

Kalaloch Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington

Asleep.

Kalaloch Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington

Awake!

Kalaloch Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington

Someone had made a wall by the trail out of charred tree trunks.

Kalaloch Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington

The texture and colors were gorgeous.

If you get a chance – go. If you’re not into camping, there’s a lodge down the road which has a great little restaurant (with a view of the ocean, natch), and the cabins are supposed to be comfy. Kalaloch was definitely a highlight of the trip.

If you liked this post, feel free to share it with the buttons below!