COPYRIGHT © GIVEN PHOTOGRAPHY 2019
RUBY REACH, Olympic National Park. © Given photography 2019
Ruby Beach
Olympic National Park, Washington
This cool little beach is on the southwest coast of Olympic National Park in Washington state. It’s just a bit north of Kalaloch Lodge. A short, slightly steep trail leads to a wondrous span of beach with giant sea stacks that sit right on the beach at low tide. Walk north for close-up views of these jagged giants. Also, you’ll find a small sea arch in these sea stacks. Along the way, you’ll cross a shallow creek. Wear rubber boots or take off your shoes for a nice foot massage in the soft wet sand. Lots of driftwood is piled up on the back beach—great for sitting. Look up for eagles, gulls, shorebirds and other sea birds. To the north a high bluff topped with common pacific coast trees such as sitka spruce, douglas fir, alder, and western hemlock leads to a high headland with a rocky shore. It’s best to visit the beach at low tide. Bonus: If you visit during low tide as the sun dips below the horizon, you’ll feel delighted by the picture you capture for your photo book.
LARABEE STATE Park. © Given photography 2019
Larrabee State Park
Washington
This park is located off Chuckanut Drive. It’s a 26-mile scenic byway that overlooks Samish Bay. Larrabee SP is situated about midway along the drive and well worth stopping for exploration. It’s a short walk from the parking lot to the water. You’ll find a mix of trails and stairs to explore that lead to the shore. Sloped rustic stone steps with an old wood handrail lead to a small beach along the water. Beautiful formations of sandstone make up most of the shoreline. Hemlock, fir and madrone trees make up the forest. On the day we visited, I spotted towhees and bushtits in the brush around the trails. Bonus: Immerse yourself in the simple beauty and serenity of this park to feel instantly relaxed.
second beach, olympic national park. © given photography 2019