Mt. Walker - Olympic National Forest

Yesterday, we decided we wanted to go on a picnic. I said we should go to Dosewallips - a State Park over in the Olympic National Forest. So we packed up our stuff, and set out for another adventure. We drove across the Hood Canal Bridge, and turned onto the road to get there. We were driving for a while, and I happened to remember Mt. Walker and the beautiful viewpoints up there. It was on the way, so I said to Andy we should stop there. He agreed, so up the mountain we went. About halfway up, mine and the girls tummies started grumbling. We were hungry. Andy suggested we should just eat when we got to the top. There were no complaints from any of us!

After lunch, we hiked around a little bit, looking at the different viewpoints. First, we explored the North side.

It was cool. Lots of wildlife (birds, bugs, little creatures, etc.)

Kassie found a little squirrel and fed it. It was not scared, it ate right out of her hand. Then we found this cool plaque thing in the ground.
We searched around a little bit more, and then we headed off to the South side. In the middle, between the two viewpoints, we encountered a family that had run out of gas.

They had not realized the gas light came on while ascending the mountain. Poor guys. So of course we helped them. At first we were just going to let them syphon some gas from us. We tried that, but it didn't work. I guess my car has an anti-syphon thing on it. Good to know. Anyway, they had a gas can, so I suggested that we go back into town and get the gas for them. They were so appreciative. But before we took off, we went to the South side to check out that viewpoint. It was a much cooler view over there. You could see Mt. Rainier, Seattle, Puget Sound, Bainbridge Island, the Kitsap Pennisula, the Silverdale Waterfront, Bremerton, and the Hood Canal all in one sight! It was truly awesome!

We spent some time on the south side with our new friends. We found out that they are from Bainbridge Island, and that we actually have friends in common! Small world! We talked for a while, and then we figured it was time to take off. So off we went back down the mountain. We got into Quilcene, and found out that the three gas stations they had, were all closed. Not closed as in the end of business day, closed like shut down, out of business. Well, that sucked. So we asked someone for the nearest gas station. They sent us up the road even further. They said 6 miles, but in actuality it was 12. We were sent up to Chimacum. Far from where we were and wanted to be. At this time, I told Andy we should have just gone south to Brinnon. I knew there was a gas station there. So anyways, we got the gas, and back we went, up the mountain again. The whole trip was 54 miles. Ugh! But it really was worth it to help someone in need. When we got back up there, an hour later, they started waving and cheering for our return. I was worried that they might have thought we ditched them, you know not knowing us and all. They were excited to see us. We told them of our adventure, and that we wanted to follow them back down the mountain to get to a gas station. We didn't think they would be able to make it into Chimacum (24 miles away), so I suggested we go to Brinnon (12 miles away), where we should have gone in the first place. They agreed, and off we went back down again. We followed them and made it there safely. We said our goodbyes and off they went, safe and sound. It was such an adventure. I only wish that if I were in that same situation, we would find the same kind of help! It was inspiring. Another adventure for the Happy Ketter Family!