That's My World - The Olympic Peninsula

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Over the past year I've written about many of the gorgeous places in my world and many of those are located on the Olympic Peninsula, so today I thought I'd share some of beauty of the whole peninsula. The area has such a variety of things -- starting with weather, which in several areas is strongly effected by what is known as the "rain shadow" effect. Most photos and history are courtesy of Google.

To begin with here is a map of the peninsula.



The Olympic Peninsula is home to some of the few temperate rain forests in the world, including the Hoh, Queets, and Quinault. Rain forest vegetation is concentrated primarily in the western part of the peninsula, as the interior mountains create a rain shadow effect in areas to the east, resulting in a much drier climate in those locales. The Olympic Mountains act as a wall that protects the northeastern Olympic Peninsula and San Juan Islands from the bulk of the rain that moves into the Pacific Northwest.



This is the home of some of the world's largest trees, many draped with thick cloaks of moss, and an astounding array of mushrooms and lichens. The northern slopes are sheltered by a rain shadow that protects the lush valleys and provides the perfect climate for growing colorful, long-lasting flowers, especially lavender. Lodging ranges from quiet bed and breakfast inns, to fishing resorts, country motels and famous historic lodges.