If future generations are to remember us with gratitude rather than contempt, we must leave them something more than the miracles of technology. We must leave them a glimpse of the world as it was in the beginning, not just after we got through it.
— President Lyndon B Johnson
Date Created: June 29, 1938.
Location: Olympic Peninsula in the state of Washington, USA.
Size: Approximately 922,650 acres (373,699 hectares).
Olympic National Park protects vast wilderness in Washington State. From snow-capped mountains to a long stretch of shoreline nearly a million acres of land is protected. It is breathtaking! Before dawn we arrived at Hurricane Ridge to marvel at the sunrise overlooking the Strait of Juan de Fuca and valley below. The glow of red surrounded us in a brief surreal moment of tranquil peace. Hoh Rain Forest on this beautiful sunny day defied the typical drippy, muddy hike through massive moss covered trees. Near the town of Forks, ocean breeze, pounding surf and the smell of saltwater on a driftwood covered beach ended our spectacular day. Believe me, to do justice to Olympic National Park take a few days to explore this incredible gift of nature. I certainly want to return.
