Last Thursday I had the honor to be the guest speaker at the
Friends of Olympic National Park's annual meeting in Port Angeles, and enjoyed giving a narrated slide show presentation to a packed auditorium in the
Olympic National Park Visitors' Center.
I really had a LOT of fun sharing my experiences in the park; everything from coast trips to extended backpacks into the interior, to the Bailey traverse and ascents of Mount Olympus. Of course, I shared many humorous stories from these trips as well!
The audience included the likes of Don
Stoneman, Dave Skinner, and many other names of trail notoriety over the last several decades. I also got to meet new Deputy Superintendent of
ONP, Todd
Suess - a very nice guy who is bringing a fun attitude and wealth of experience to his new position.
Talking with the likes of Don
Stoneman after the event was a real honor and treat for me. I also enjoyed learning more about the park from Larry
Baysinger, whom I will have to take up for a guided trail ride with my family soon! Of course, the icing on the cake was seeing Dave Skinner arrive and getting a chance to catch up with him (and poke some fun with during my presentation!). I called Dave a week prior with an invite. He received my message only an hour before the event and still found time to attend!
I have so many people I would like to personally thank, beginning with Rod Farlee of
FONP who really made it all happen, and who's efforts have gone far beyond this event. I would also like to thank
FONP President Larry Stetson, Vice President Greg
Halberg, Secretary Karen
Jenson, and Treasurer Dan Peacock. All were very nice people who went out of their way to welcome me and
acquaint me with their group. If I am forgetting anybody (and I probably am), I apologize.
Finally, a very special Thank You to
ONP staff members Greg Marsh and Chris
Eckard for their hands-on help in setting up the equipment for my presentation and making sure everything ran smooth. Chris in particular was a great help during my presentation.
The picture of Mount Angeles above was taken the next morning during a drive up to Hurricane Ridge. I followed it up with a drive out to the coast and to the
Hoh Rain Forest, capping off a wonderful trip to the peninsula.
