The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-07-02
Span Brings
Wonderland
Closer Home
Vdst BeoutY Of
Olympic Peninsulo
EdsilY Accessible

L0Slly Accessible
Completion Of majestic Tacoma
Narrows bridge brings the wonders
Of Olympic peninsula to Tacoma's
front door.
No longer need n make elab-
crate plans for an outing TO this
wonderland of the Northwest, for.
with completion of the bridge, 1t is
truly only q matter Of minutes be-
fore the motorist can be enjoying
the scenic and recreation centers
Of this vast area.
Elaborate plans for a trip to this
virtual fairyiand are not necessary.
Many resorts are to be found en-
route. which afford the most home
like conveniences for the traveller
or vacationist.
Natural Beauty
Olympic peninsula has a wilder
ness e of some 5000 square
miles, covering approximately two
million acres. Its natural beauty
overshadows the richness of its
untapped mineral deposits.
Snow-crested mountains are to
be found within its boundaries,
along with glaciers and alpine
meadows. beautiful rivers, lakes
and innumerable streams. Al
home in great Olympic National
forest are deer. elk. bear and a
host Of other animals. Many of
the giant fir trees In the deep
forest are believed to be more than
1000 yer-s old.
One Of the attractions to be
found m hot springs. invigorat-
Inc and healthful. bubbling up in
the very heart of the mountains.
Olympic peninsula is encircled by
Q broad highway. one of the best
In the west. which was recently
completed at a cost of more than
ten million dollars. On either side
Of the scenic highway, which
stretches for $50 miles. one will
view with amazement the numer-
u trees and flowers, among
which Ia the rhododendron. the
official flower for the state of
Washington.
Hood Canal
But wait, that is not all. Among
beauties on the eastern section Of
the drive is Hood canal. This land
locked bay, formerly the bed of
an ancient glacier. extends so miles
inland from Puget Sound. II is the
southernmost OF a series of deep
fjords cutting the north Pacific
coast Dotting the wooded shores
are resorts where one may swim.
enjoy boating and find fishing
facilities.
Attracting thousands of visitors
every year Is Discovery bay. be-
cause Of its part in history. II was
here Capt. George Vancouver. dis
coverer of Puget Sound. anchored
and repaired his boats during that
winter In 1892.
Located in the center Of unsur-
passed salmon fishing waters and
famous for its annual Salmon
Derby, is Port Angeles. Here. in
terest Of visitors has been attract
ed by the oddly of a sandspit which
extends into the waters of the
Strait Of Juan de Fuca. A light
house and coast guard airbase are
located on this hook.
Cameramen's Haven
One OF the wonders OF this won
derland" Is the trip across the
mountains. The highway makes
its way to the coast Of the mighty
Pacific ocean. where it parallels
II for 10 miles, and affords the
motorist an unexcelled view of
that giant body Of water to the
west. This 10-mile strip is a haven
for the photograph enthusiast.
Hundreds of enchanting scenes are
to be found for the Gamers hobby
lat.
Hundreds Of visitors pause at
Ocean View state park before pro-
ceeding on the highway which
swings eastward to Lake Quinauit
and then continues south once
more into Grays Harbor country.
where Hoquiam. Aberdeen and
other interesting towns are situ-
ated.
One Of the highlights of the trip
II = stop at Olympia. the capital
Of Washington. and. incidentally,
where the Olympic highway is con-
cluded.
Stately buildings. where depart
ments Of state government are
located. together with beautiful
homes. streets and parks. entice
an exclamation Of surprise from
visitors to the capital city.
One of the organizations exert
ing untiring efforts in constant
Improvement to Olympic peninsula
II olympicsns. Inc. II is entirely
within eason to assume that
within not many years distant this
vast wonderland will become the
playground of the nation.
Nature UnhAmpered
Olympic peninsula. which forms
. giant thumb In the extreme
northwest portion Of continental
United States, IL virtually q para
die for the lover Of unhampered
nature. sportsmen by the thou
sands N attracted to this spot