Here are a few wonderfully short Western U.S. road trips. Please scroll down to the adventure below or follow the blue links for more.

*ASTORIA, OREGON

*FIVE FERRY LOOP: SEATTLE, OLYMPIC PENINSULA, VICTORIA, SAN JUAN ISLANDS.

*NORTH CASCADES LOOP, WA

*PALOUSE COUNTRY, WA

*HELLS CANYON SCENIC BYWAY, ELKHORN DRIVE NATIONAL SCENIC BYWAY LOOP, OREGON.

*OREGON SPRING LOOP, TULIPS! WATERFALLS! BEACHES!

*HIGH LAKES ROAD, WA, MOUNTAIN PEAKS AND LAKES.

*NORTH CASCADES LOOP, WA

*PALOUSE COUNTRY, WA

*COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE; OREGON, WASHINGTON LOOP.

*OLYMPIC PENINSULA LOOP, WA.

*VANCOUVER ISLAND, B.C., CANADA.

*OKANOGAN LOOP DRIVE.

*CURRENT EXHIBIT, ASSIGNMENT

Olympic Peninsula Loop Drive

Begin this loop on the east side of any Washington State Ferry leaving the Seattle area, and head on out over to Hansville, just north of the Hood Canal Floating Bridge. Entering picture perfect Hansville, take a right and drive a short half mile to the Point No Point lighthouse. After backtracking to the bridge, cross to the Olympic Peninsula and follow Highway 101. On your way to out to Sequim, visit Port Townsend, Marrowstone Island, Sequim State Park or John Wayne Marina and take a break relaxing by Sequim Bay. In Sequim, take in the Lavender Farms and visit Dungeness Spit and Dungeness Recreation Area. Leaving Sequim, just before Port Angeles head south (left) on Deer Park road for a climb on an excellent dirt road to spectacular Deer Park, the best drivable mountain and water views in Olympic National Park. (Closed to motorhomes and trialers.) Return to 101, strike Port Angeles and decide on either another left into Olympic National Park for famous Hurricane Ridge, or out along the Strait of Juan de Fuca a few miles to Freshwater Bay, Crescent Beach, and Agate Beach, all gems. Back on 101 again pass Crescent Lake, and head out the road from Forks to Mora and Rialto Beach. Again, back on 101, a hundred stops are possible. On this trip we chose Moclips Beach, then a drive into Lake Quinalt in the park. The loop is closed back in Seattle. Lighthouses, beachcombing, spectacular mountains, kayaking, fishing village, and rivers all in as little as a weekend!