Many people surprised to find out that Washington has a rainforest, but we do. In fact, we have two! One of the few temperate rainforests in the world, the Hoh Rainforest (named after the Hoh tribe) receives an average of 150 inches of rain a year (380 cm). The other nearby rainforest is called the Quinault Rainforest (also named after a Native American tribe). Both rainforests are part of the Olympic National Park, one of the most beautiful places in America (and the world) in my opinion.
All that rain makes for a rather lush forest with cedars and spruce draped in moss and a lot of vibrant green. While hiking I came right up to an elk. I even had my camera and tripod set up and ready, but I was so excited I managed to fuck up the photos by focusing on the trees instead of the elk. Argh! I was really upset when I got back home and saw how bad the photos of the elk were, but still rather excited I got to see one. Animal sighting have been declining the Olympic National Park. When I was younger it was not at all uncommon to see elk, deer, and even occasionally cougars and bears. That rarely happens any more.
