★ {Olympic Peninsula Loop} Part 3: Rialto Beach & Fort Worden ★

It was day three of our Olympic Peninsula Loop which meant, two more days before returning back to reality of corporate America (insert sad face).   We enjoyed a breakfast of chocolate croissants, coffee and hot cocoa. With maps spread out over our morning table we began analyzing how our day would be spent.

“Can we go to the beach mommy?” B asks me pointing to Rialto Beach on the map . . .

Hubby and I looked at each other — “Yes! Let’s do that.”

And off we went . . .

Rialto Beach is easily accessible.  You literally drive, park, get out and walk on the beach.   Even though it was a drizzly day, our time spent here was truly enjoyable.

We loved the sea stacks, pretty vegetation and wildlife galore.  B had a blast exploring the twisty driftwood.

I wish there was a way I could explain how the cool salty air smelled — many times we inhaled and closed our eyes.  Such beauty here! ♥

Canine and Kid Wanderlust was strong this particular day . . .

The waves here at Rialto are pretty intense.   Also when the tide comes in — it really comes in.  Towards the end of our walk on the beach we had to jump over a log to get to higher ground.  We all laughed after but *phew* — it would not have been pretty if we got caught in the water.

Speaking of wild waves — surfer’s love it here. No wonder . . .

After Rialto Beach we went back to camp and got ready to head over to our next destination.  Fort Worden State Park.  I had no idea but this was the place where the movie “An Officer and a Gentleman,” was filmed.  As soon as we pulled onto the park property I immediately recognized it and about died.   That movie was one of my favorites growing up so it was pretty cool to be able to walk around and explore pretending Richard Gere was there with me, lol :)  (more on that part coming up in Part 4 of this loop series).

It’s pretty awesome here.  We really liked it — big sites and full hookups and plenty of places to explore.  Also there were kids galore — B made some new friends.  These friends introduced him (and us) to Battery Kinzie.   Now totally abandoned these bunkers are full of empty rooms that are connected with winding narrow hallways with heavy doors that slam very loud (we could hear them down in our campsite).  Kids were SCREAMING like crazy — apparently this is a great place to for them to come and explore (with flashlights) to scare the bejeebers out of each other.  At first B was completely excited but once we got there, he wasn’t so sure . . . .

B decided it probably wasn’t the best idea for him to partake in the “scariness,” so we headed for the beach.  A much quieter alternative, lol :)

Eventually we made our way back to the Airstream.  Everyone was starving and chicken pad thai was on the menu ♥  I used this recipe but instead of rice noodles, I used “bean” noodles.  I also added the hot sauce on after it was finished to spare B’s tastebuds ♥

That is my father’s motar and pestle that I was able to get since his passing.  It’s special when I am able to cook with his kitchen tools in my Airstream (and at home) ♥

And here are the bean noodles — next time I’ll use rice noodles per hubby’s request.  But still good!

Part 4 will be our last post covering our 2013 Memorial Day Olympic Peninsula Loop.  I’m excited to share with you a new way I have discovered how to make delicious crepes with eggs!  Stay tuned and in the meantime hubby, B, Oliver and I are wishing you happy travels xoxo

~ Monica ♥