photoprospect

<p>Thanks everyone for you help. I'm now back home and would like to say that your help is really appreciated. It was an excellent, I would say exceptional, trip - and the place was chosen solely based on <em>your</em> feedback! Probably in part due to not being prepared for the view, I was awed by the views offered by the Olympic park and Skagit valley. I'll say it's definitely in the top 4 of my trips, and given that it was much shorter than the others on this list (Galapagos islands, New Zealand, Croatia) and how easy it is to get there for some of you - it's quite a feat.<br /> When I'm done sorting through 3.5K photos made in a single week, I'll post some to <a href="http://www.photoprospect.com">www.photoprospect.com</a> - but even those made with a cell phone are beautiful, so I'm attaching one as a teaser. It comes straight from the phone, with only resize and resharpening done at home.</p> <p> </p><div></div>

<p>I'm looking for help planning the itinerary in the Olympic NP and its vicinity<br> After combing the net for places to see and photograph, I came up with the following list:<br> Must see:</p> <ul> <li>Lake Quinault (starting place - coming from Portland, OR this is as far as I'm willing to drive in one afternoon)</li> <li>La Push - Ruby beach, beach #2/#4</li> <li>Cape Flattery - light hike</li> <li>Hoh Rain Forest - light hike</li> </ul> <p>Nice to see:</p> <ul> <li>Lake Crescent</li> <li>Ozette Lake</li> <li>Hurricane Ridge (probably on my way out of the park)</li> </ul> <p><strong>Fixed dates:</strong></p> <ul> <li>June 7th - I'm driving from Portland, OR (in the afternoon) and Lake Quinault is as far as I'm willing to drive</li> <li>June 14th - Have to be in Redmond by the end of the day</li> </ul> <p><strong>Actual itinerary:</strong><br> <em>June 7th</em> - Lake Quinault<br> Sleep and move on in the direction of LaPush, can visit some of the beaches on the way<br> <em>June 8th</em> - La Push<br> I'm currently thinking to spend 3-4 nights in La Push, which should give me enough time to photograph the must-see places above. Anything else would be a bonus. In theory I could spend one less day here, but it would reduce my chances of catching a nice light.<br> <em>June 12th - 13th</em> <strong>???</strong><br> This is where I'll probably start moving in the general direction of Redmond. <br> I'd also like to see a sample of Skagit Valley and of Seattle, but it seems to be too much for the time I have - and this is where your recommendations come it :-)<br> <em>June 14th</em> - Redmond</p> <p>Suggestions please! Much appreciated! :-)<br> Jean</p>

<p>@Charles - Can't make it two weeks, it's a week sandwiched between two conferences/events, so the dates are pretty much fixed. Your closer locations went on the list though, so thank you!<br /><br /><br> @Robin Great advice, I'm not a power-hiker, and with 12kg of gear it's even more strenuous<br> @Sheldon You recommended some beautiful places in Oregon, but I had a chance to visit part of them (Multnomah falls, waterfall road, and Cannon beach with a few hours in Ecola park) a few years back. The visit was way too short to do the area justice, but still - I'd like to see more places.</p>

<p>@Stephen, @Bob - thank you very much for your help.<br> It's decided then - I book the flights to have a free week in WA, and then will have a couple of weekends to do some more detailed research based on your recommendations.</p>

<p><strong>Backround</strong><br> I was just notified that I'm going to the US in a couple of weeks (and need to book the flights ASAP).<br> Sorry to be asking this question w/o having researched first, but if you'd be so kind as to throw in a recommended place or two it would really help me out.<br> <strong>What I'm looking for</strong><br> I love shooting natural landscapes (examples are <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/110752296968089205692/SelectLandscapesImages?noredirect=1">here</a>) with mountains/forests/water and clouds are also important to have, and will have a week in June either in Ann Arbor, MI <em>or</em> in Redmond, WA.<br> Which area would be better? Any specific locations/ national parks?</p> <p>I'll have a car, but yours truly is not a fan of long drives (well, unless they're very scenic and have places to stop and make some photos). Some short (up to several hours) hikes can also be a great idea - as long as they serve the main purpose, i.e. making photos.</p> <p>Thanks!</p> <p> </p><div></div>