The Hall Of Mosses - Fantasy Photoshoot In The Hoh Rainforest
I will be the first to admit, that the beauty of this forest is best seen in person. The beauty is overwhelming, and it’s everywhere you look. Anytime I am in an ancient place in nature such as this, I just wish I could have been a fly on a tree hundreds of years ago, watching the life flourish and pass me by. Or maybe I’d rather be a faerie on a tree, much better than a fly. It’s not just about what you see with your eyes, it’s also the sounds and the history and the general feeling you get while being in this most beautiful place.
The beautiful Hoh Rain Forest is one of four rain forests on the Olympic Peninsula. Its unique ecosystem has remained unchanged for thousands of years and it is now the most carefully preserved rain forest in the northern hemisphere! The most common types of trees that grow in the Hoh Rain Forest are Sitka Spruce and Western Hemlock, which is Washington's official state tree. The Western Hemlock can reach over 300 feet high and seven feet in diameter. Most of them are covered with huge beautiful textured clumps of hanging moss and ferns. I imagine these clumps of moss are full of micro eco systems. Moss is an epiphyte, which is a plant that grows on another plant without harming it (as opposed to a parasite). Epiphytes get their moisture and nutrients from the air, rain, fog, and debris that accumulates around them. How freakin’ cool is that?
The drive was pretty far from Seattle, I think 4.5 hours if I remember correctly. We met at The Rainforest Nature Trail in the Quinault Valley because I brought my little familiar, Ezme, and this trail allows dogs. We walked this short loop trail and caught up on life, and let Ezme get some old growth forest under her paws before we left her in the car for the short loop that is the Hall of Mosses, which does not allow dogs.
I brought one dress just incase there was something irresistible to photograph.
When I saw this tree, it was meant to be.
The Hall of Mosses(below).
We almost had the place to ourselves. The rain loomed above threatening us the entire time as you would expect in a rain forest, but it held off and allowed us to play.
I read a little about the Hoh Tribe, who were “created along the river”
“When K’wati got to the Hoh River he discovered that the inhabitants of the area were upside down people, who walked on their hands and handled their smelt dipnets clumsily with their feet. They weren’t very good at it, so they were famished and skinny. K’wati set them rightside up and showed them how to operate their nets with their hands. For that reason, Hoh elders still sometimes refer to themselves as p’ip’isodat’sili, which means “Upside down people”.
from THE HOH TRIBE WEBSITE
Exciting news, Rhiannon and I were recently published in WITCHOLOGY MAGAZINE with a witchy motorcycle story with a few photos by me and words by Rhiannon. Check out the Winter Issue! It’s worth a subscription to this magazine, or just a digital copy works too.
If you are into motorcycles and witchy things, or one or the other, or just into cool ladies who inspire, check out MOTHERLINE MAGIC and THE CHOPPER WITCH on Instagram, both of Rhiannon’s creative spaces.
Thank you Rhiannon for being such a sweet beautiful profound soul, and for making this long trek to The Hall of Mosses to explore with me. This experience was unforgettable and I cannot wait to visit again!
