Mom Spot: All Things Pacific Northwest

As promised, today begins a week long journey through the Seattle-area and the Olympic Peninsula. Honestly, it's mostly about the peninsula and a few rural stops along the way. Although traveling with children is exhausting, if I close my eyes and remember the beauty and vastness of the land, I find myself smile and sigh... even relax a little bit. I've visited plenty of national parks, but I was particularly "wow-ed" by Olympic National Park and so the quote of the day is a reflection of that:

Newton B. Drury, NPS Director, 1940-1951:

"The American way of life consists of something that goes greatly beyond the mere obtaining of the necessities of existence. If it means anything, it means that America presents to its citizens an opportunity to grow mentally and spiritually, as well as physically. The National Park System and the work of the National Park Service constitute one of the Federal Government's important contributions to that opportunity. Together they make it possible for all Americans--millions of them at first-hand--to enjoy unspoiled the great scenic places of the Nation.... The National Park System also provides, through areas that are significant in history and prehistory, a physical as well as spiritual linking of present-day Americans with the past of their country."

 Welcome to the Journey...