Mercy Rule

Sometimes, the only thing better than camping is not camping.

- Elisabeth Kwak-hefferan

AS WE APPROACHED THE COAST, the conversation in the car slowed, then died completely. Over the past 50 miles, the rain had gone from mere storm to deluge to a wretched, windshield-smearing torrent that painted the world outside with an impressionist’s brush. The day’s plan was to hike out to Olympic National Park’s Shi Shi Beach for a long-overdue backpacking trip with my two close friends, Laura and Matt. But the weather was not cooperating.