Unplugged. That's how it feels at Lake Crescent Lodge at Olympic National Park. No television. No phones, No Wi-Fi or computer access. Just you and the pristine lake and the forest of trees and the beach and the ducks.

Yes, ducks. We became entranced with the resident family of seven the first evening we spent sitting in Adirondack chairs, watching the ducks surfing. Yes, surfing. The wind had come up and there were little waves lapping at the shores. The ducks were stoked.

The Lake Crescent Lodge, dating back to 1916, is a cluster of cottages and three two-story buildings. It was a visit to the lodge that inspired Franklin D. Roosevelt to designate much of the Olympic Peninsula as a national park. We so get that.

The location is spectacular: a crystal-clear emerald lake with pine trees rising up from the water to Pyramid Peak. Not even a lake house in sight. It's serene, quiet, private and relaxing.

Lake Crescent Lodge is not for the lovers of night life. There isn't a lot to do in the evenings, and that's just the way we liked it. We sat on the beach — often we were the only ones there, despite the picture-perfect weather — and talked and read and, well, just stared.
One evening a park ranger gave a talk around the beach bonfire about the Roosevelt elk. Her enthusiasm was infectious.
During the day there are plenty of hikes that start right at the lodge, from an easy woodland stroll to Mary
mere Falls to some all-day serious hikes. They offer complete solitude. We saw deer and squirrels and chipmunks. The lodge will pack you a lunch if you plan to be out all day.
There are also ocean kayaks (the kind that are hard to tip over) for rent. We did see one person swimming, but maybe he's from Michigan and is used to cold lake water. We aren't.
A highly recommended day trip is a drive to Hurricane Ridge, which offers sweeping views of the glacial peaks of the Olympic mountains.
As we were checking out, I asked the front desk person if I could have a press kit. "A what?" she asked. That wasn't surprising.
There's nothing commercial about the Lake Crescent Lodge.