(This article by Louisiana-based writer Kathie Rowell originally appeared in the June 2022 issue of Military Officer, a magazine available to all MOAA Premium and Life members. Learn more about the magazine here; learn more about joining MOAA here.)

Vacationers who prefer a peaceful retreat have a refuge in Washington’s Hoh Rain Forest, known as one of the quietest places on Earth. One of four temperate rain forests in Olympic National Park, it’s also one of the most beautiful.

Named a World Heritage Site and a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, Hoh receives as much as 14 feet of rain per year, making it one of the world’s lushest rain forests. Its ecosystem, unchanged for thousands of years, features enormous trees draped with huge clumps of hanging moss and ferns creating a wonderland of different textures of green.

But there’s more to the park — which encompasses nearly a million acres — than rain forests. Head east to the Hurricane Ridge area for mountain hikes and panoramic views. A wild coastline to the west offers rocky beaches and roaring waves where you can hike, observe birds, and explore marine life in tidal pools. Lucky visitors might even spot a whale.

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If you’re serious about catching a glimpse of nature’s largest creatures, book a whale-watching tour, plentiful in the Seattle area. Taylor Chaffee, a manager with Puget Sound Express, says experiencing the sight of a whale in the wild should be on everyone’s bucket list.

“I think whales are one of the most majestic creatures in Mother Nature, and we are super lucky here in the Salish Sea to have four different species of whales,” she said. “We’re also tucked into what we’d call inside waters, so you’re not necessarily having to venture out on the open ocean where you could be in pretty heavy rolling seas. We’re more protected.”

If the water is still calling your name, hop the ferry to the San Juan Islands for a guided kayak tour along the rocky coastline, or book an exhilarating jet boat ride on the Columbia River.

WASHINGTON FOODIE FACT: Nothing says Pacific Northwest like fresh salmon. Try it grilled on a cedar plank, which imparts a subtle smoky flavor, at Dockside Grill in Sequim, where you can enjoy your meal with a view of seals, herons, sea otters, and sailboats in Sequim Bay.