We convinced Subaru to loan us a Crosstrek to fuel some adventure at Leatherman. Handing the keys to some of our employees, we’re sharing why we love calling the Pacific Northwest home. What’s up for our next story? Olympic National Park.

Lake Quinalt is about three hours north of Portland, and there’s no shortage of campgrounds around that area, but Willaby Campground turned out to be an absolute beauty. If you want to take your boat on the lake, be sure to get up early and head to the Quinalt Lodge for a boat permit. The Quinalt Tribe owns the lake and limits the number of vehicles allowed on the water per day as to preserve its quiet, serene beauty.

For our next two nights we headed further north two hours to Sol Duc Campground and Hot Springs. The hot springs are heavy in therapeutic minerals and can be quite relaxing if you don’t mind the smell of rotten eggs!

The next morning, we ventured just north of the campground to Lake Crescent and put our kayak and SUP into the water at the Storm King boat ramp. Lake Crescent’s clear blue waters and surrounding mountains easily made this the most beautiful lake I have taken my kayak onto yet.

A handful of friends met us back at Sol Duc, and we walked the trails of the campground until we found the perfect spot to have our elopement ceremony. We knew we wanted to get married here, but had no idea if there would be a good spot for a small gathering. It was amazing to create a wonderful memory there amongst those ancient trees.

The next morning we headed further north still to Port Angeles, WA where we took the ferry to Victoria, BC. Victoria was a total mystery to us, but after three days in the woods we wanted showers and food we could walk to. Victoria did not disappoint, and neither did the sunset atop Mt Douglas. What a great way to finish off our Summer adventure. And many thanks to Subaru, for making all of it possible with the Crosstrek.