Wild West day 20

Leaving Fort Stevens, we continued on up Hwy 101, crossing the bridge at Astoria. As we approached, we could see work being done on the bridge. It was a bit disconcerting because it looked like a big Band-aid wrapped around it just to the right of the big span support. It was a pretty long bridge. In a distance we could see Mt. St. Helens or, at least, what's left of it.  We both wished we could get closer, but we were beginning to run behind schedule and needed to move on.  Rosie was waiting for us in Idaho. We traveled most of the day through the spruce and fir forests, still on Hwy 101. Our goal was the Makah Indian Reservation at the extreme NW of the Olympic Peninsula. But, as the day wore on, it became obvious that was a bigger bite than we'd like. Just too far for the old folks. So, we began looking for a suitable substitute campground. We found one in the Hoh Rain Forest in the middle of the Olympic National Forest. The sign said 12.5 miles. A bit far off the road, but what the heck. We were on an adventure. The road was narrow with huge trees closing in on both sides all covered with heavy moss. We finally came to the ranger gatehouse, waved our "old farts" card at him and proceeded on. The next sign read "campground 6.5 mi." Huh! That makes it 18 miles back here. It better be worth it. It was. Then I noticed the blond and brunette camped right across from us in a tent.