Last summer, I took a road trip with a few friends from the East Coast to the Pacific Northwest, and our first stop was Washington D.C. We spent a few days exploring the city's historic landmarks and museums, including the National Mall, the Smithsonian Museums, and the National Archives. One of the highlights of our time in D.C. was visiting the Lincoln Memorial at night when it was lit up, and we could see the Washington Monument and the Capitol in the distance.

After D.C., we headed north to the Olympic Peninsula, where we spent a few days hiking in Olympic National Park. We hiked through lush rainforests, saw stunning waterfalls, and even caught glimpses of some wildlife, including a family of deer and a bald eagle. The highlight of our time in the park was hiking to the summit of Hurricane Ridge, where we were rewarded with breathtaking views of the Olympic Mountains and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

We also spent some time in Seattle, where we visited the iconic Pike Place Market, sampled local coffee and craft beer, and took a ferry ride to Bainbridge Island to see more of the Puget Sound. The highlight of our time in Seattle was visiting the Space Needle, where we got panoramic views of the city and the surrounding mountains and waterways.

Washington was a great start to our road trip, and we all left feeling inspired and energized by the natural beauty and cultural richness of the Pacific Northwest.