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(Day 760 TN) 52°F. 6:00 am, sunny
Journey On, Day 47
Day Two in the Rain Shadow
Overnighting in a parking lot
Awake, dress in my fall blues, start the jammer, drive to the trash receptacle to dump my garbage into, then drive out of the parking lot, back onto US 101 and west a short distance to the first stand alone w-mart which is on the east side of the city. I pull into the cafe, park, grab my computer bag and go inside for coffee, com and to update today′s journal entry.
I stay in the cafe until about nine this morning when, I pack out, return to US 101 west, drive through the rest of Port Angeles and out the west side of the city towards my destination of Neah Bay, Washington.
Not long after leaving the city of Port Angeles, Washington, located on the north coast of this state, I arrive at SH 112, turn right and then continue west on this state highway.
This Roadpath Journey begins after leaving US 101 when I turn onto SH 112, and unbeknownst to me at the time of this roadpath journey, it is also known as the Strait of Juan de Fuca National Scenic byway.
As I turn onto this highway I see a road sign indicating the state scenic byway status which I had believed to be true even long after completion of my drive upon this day. It was only later, when I learned this roadpath is a
National Scenic Byway.
(m6fi-ntr-wa-west-2023-0616.1105) Strait of Juan De Fuca Scenic Byway
My GPS indicates to me that it is only about sixty miles before I arrive in Neah Bay, however, highway 112, the Strait of Juan de Fuca National Scenic Byway, is an old state highway with many curves, inlets, and rivers to circumvent along the north Washington coast as well as many view point stops.
(m6fi-ntr-wa-west-2023-0616.1148) Northern Tier Route, Coastal Inlet
(m6fi-ntr-wa-west-2023-0616.1206) Northern Tier Route, Coastal Inlet
(m6fi-ntr-wa-west-2023-0616.1210) Northern Tier Route, Coastal Waters
(m6fi-ntr-wa-west-2023-0616.1212) Northern Tier Route, Coastal Waters
(m6fi-ntr-wa-west-2023-0616.1213) Northern Tier Route, Coastal Waters
(m6fi-ntr-wa-west-2023-0616.1214) Northern Tier Route, Coastal Highway
(m6fi-ntr-wa-west-2023-0616.1215) Northern Tier Route, Coastal Waters
(m6fi-ntr-wa-west-2023-0616.1220) Northern Tier Route, Coastal Waters
(m6fi-ntr-wa-west-2023-0616.1225) Northern Tier Route, Coastal Waters
Makah Indian Reservation
Thus, with the numerous opportunities for photos, the drive to Neah Bay takes about two hours and I arrive in Neah Bay just after noon, where I stop at the Makah Mini Market and purchase a recreation permit.
(m6fi-ntr-wa-west-2023-0616.1238) Northern Tier Route, Neah Bay, WA
Cape Flattery Scenic Byway
Next, I leave Neah Bay, Washington on Cape Flattery Road and drive through the thick growth of fog enshrouded forest.
I drive first southwest, then northwest for several miles before I arrive at the end of the road which widens into a large parking area. I park in one of the spaces and then get out of the jammer to prepare my day pack for the walk to the observation deck. From what I have learned about this trail, it is almost entirely flat and has quite a few benches to rest on, so, I decided to venture out and walk this path of just over a half mile to see the
lighthouse on Tatoosh Island just off the coast, something that I have desired to do for a very long time.
After donning my day pack, I walk across the parking lot to the
Cape Flattery trailhead and begin my walk to the observation deck. The trail is wide and well graded making walking quite easy, still, I walk slow and stop often at each rest stops.
The Return Drive East
I get back into the jammer and begin my drive east from the furthermost paved road on the lower US 48 states. From the parking lot at the Cape Flattery trailhead, I will continue east, first along the Strait of Juan de Fuca Scenic Byway to where it connects to US 101 near Port Angeles.
The next day, I continue my drive along the Northern Tier Route to the Port Townsend ferry where I purchase a ticket and get in line to board the next ferry to Coupeville, Washington.
Once I arrive at this ferry landing, this will complete the Washington Western Section of the Northern Tier Route. Well, at least for this year.
Furthermore, once at this eastern landing of this ferry crossing, I will begin what will be my Summer Sojourn, also know as a summer hiatus for the next three months before I start my fall migration back southward.
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