Lake Crescent–Freshwater Bay–Ediz Hook and Rhubarb Shortcake

There is no telling  how many miles you will have to run while chasing a dream.

Lake Crescent

What a day Saturday was!  We did it all.  Well, we did just about everything we intended to do.  It started fairly early.  We were planning to meet Lee and Loralie at the Farmer’s Market aka Open Aire Market held every Saturday downtown Sequim at 10:00.  This town is pretty small so we thought we’d take a little drive to check out a couple marinas, a restaurant and the city park.  Now that sounds a lot to do in an hour but it wasn’t considering that no one point was more than five minutes from the other. 

Dungeness School House

Our first stop was at the 3 Crabs Restaurant.  We wanted to check out the location and the restaurant with the thought that we might return for dinner.  We also stopped by a couple of the local boat launches and viewed the tidelands.   The area is protected and wildlife can find food and shelter from wind, waves, and pounding surf. Shorebirds and waterfowl feed and nest along the beaches. Seals haul out of the water to rest in the sun.  This was just a drive-by even though I did walk out and on one of the wildlife viewing stations.  That was just about all that time allowed and we did arrive at the market just before 10:00.

Dungeness Tideland and Bird Sanctuary

Sequim has a nice little Open Aire Market and it’s not too big or too small.  We enjoyed walking through and checking out all the little booths.  We didn’t spend much money but certainly did a lot of looking.

Lee and Loralie sampling the goods.

Afterwards, Terry and I took off for Lake Crescent and Lake Sutherland.  Both of these lakes are just a few miles west of Port Angeles.  It had been years and years since I had been to them.  I thought it would be fun to see how they had changed.  We used to swim in the public swimming area at Lake Sutherland.    Now everything around the lake is private.  At least we couldn’t find any public areas after driving around it.  Needless to say, it was rather disappointing.

Lake Crescent

We visited the Log Cabin Resort on Lake Crescent.  It’s a beautiful lake with brilliant blue water and exceptional clarity.  We used to say that Lake Crescent was the bottomless lake because it’s so deep.  The official depth is a little over 600 feet but that’s only because the equipment used to measure it at the time could only read to that level.  It is estimated that it is really at least 1000 feet in places. It is considered the second deepest lake in Washington State but my thought is if they can't measure it, how do they know.

 

Lake Sutherland

Wally at work

We also, made a stop at Wally’s place (my cousin) which is right down the road from Freshwater Bay.  My dad did a lot of fishing around Freshwater Bay.  We caught Wally cutting timber and decided this probably wasn’t the best time to visit.  He has a gorgeous home overlooking the Straits.  He has a couple RV sites on his property and tried to twist our arm to move the rig there.  However, we were thinking we might be heading a little in the other direction this time at least.

Freshwater Bay

There were a couple other places we always have to stop at when we visit the Port Angeles area.  One is Ediz Hook aka the Spit and the other is Swain’s.

Ediz Hook

 

Ediz Hook is a 3 mile sand-spit that is paved with a beach on both sides.  The views from here are spectacular.  The view to the north is of the Strait of Juan de Fuca plus the landscape of British Columbia, Canada.  You can often see marine traffic traveling between the Pacific Ocean and Vancouver or Seattle.   Orca pods travel these waters too and if you happen to be watching, you just might see them.

 

Canada in the distance

The view to the south are the Olympic Mountains and Port Angeles.  Even on a clear day, you can often see heavy clouds being held back by the mountains.  A coast guard base and the lighthouse is at the end of the Spit.  This area is not accessible to the public.

View of Port Angeles and the Olympic Mountains

Next, we were off to Swain’s General Store.  This store has a little bit of a lot of things.  It’s fun to stop by and see what’s in stock.  It used to be just an army surplus store but over the years many other items have been added.  They’ve added a few other stores around the area but none of them are like the original.

Dungeness Crab Louie

Terry's oyster stew

It definitely was another full day but we still needed to eat.  After checking on Duchess we decided to return to the 3 Crabs Restaurant for dinner.  It was more oyster stew for Terry and Dungeness crab louie for me.  We loved the food and the beachie ambiance.

But …………. the day wasn’t over yet.  Loralie invited us for dessert.  It wasn’t any dessert but it was rhubarb shortcake!  Again, it was fantastic.  We enjoyed the food and the company.  By the time we caught up with everything we had going on in the past, the present and the future, we drove home and dropped into bed.

This is the view just across the road from where Lee and Loralie have their RV.  Isn't it gorgeous and peaceful?

It was Saturday.  It was a long, long day.  We did it all.  Sunday ….. we’re off to Whidbey Island and a visit to Spiker.

***  This is an RV park where Lee and Loralie were staying.  They were there for a month.  Since they had stayed for a full month, they were responsible for mowing and weed eating their site once a week.  The lawn mower and weed eater were provided.  All they needed to provide was their time and landscaping skills.  Anyone else been asked to do this? That's actually not the end of their story though.  When they went to get the lawn mower they were told not on Sunday because people there were on vacation.  How funny!  

RV parks and their rules or guidelines never seem to amaze you.  There was also the park we stopped at recently to check out.  On their paperwork they indicated they offered a monthly rate.  However, if you wanted to stay a month, you had to fill out the necessary paperwork for a background check!  Now do people really turn over all their personal information in order to stay a month?  ***

    

Port Angeles and Sequim

Never be afraid to try something new.  Remember, amateurs built the ark.  Professionals built the Titanic.

Our arrival at the Sequim Elks was before noon leaving us lots of hours in the day to do other things.  Once we were set up we were off towards Port Angeles.  We didn’t exactly know where we were heading just that we were heading.  There’s so much to do and see in this area that we knew we wouldn’t be bored.

There is a view point on 101 just before you get to the main center of town in Port Angeles.  It’s always been another must-stop place for us.  We’ve seen that view hundreds of times but we always stop because obviously we can’t get enough of it.  The view is over the top of the Red Lion Hotel which is across from the ferry dock, the Port Angeles harbor and Ediz Hook (the Spit).

This time we again discovered a couple little beggars.  Two raccoons were mingling among the gawkers.  They were asking for handouts.  We contributed some potato chips to their bad habit of begging.

View of the Port Angeles harbor and Ediz Hook

A public beach is next to the wharf and the Victoria ferry dock. It’s about an 18-mile trip across this portion of the Strait of Juan de Fuca to Victoria, Canada.  On a beautiful day it’s an easy crossing.  However, these waters can get very, very rough.  We know.

 

Marine traffic can be very busy.

If the timing is right, you can also see groups of whales (orcas and gray)  in the Strait.  We saw lots of them in our little fishing boat.  Of course, at those times we really didn’t want to see them.  It wouldn’t take much for a whale to turn us over.  The salt-water is very, very cold.  We didn’t want to swim in it then.

Port Angeles Harbor

This area of Port Angeles is very active with tourists.  For those taking a day trip on the ferry, there are many parking lots available.  Other people just park to visit the wharf or the public beach.  The wharf has shops, restaurants, an information office on it, gorgeous murals and often has concerts.

One of several murals on the waterfront.

This was just a quick trip but we'll be making another trip into Port Angeles and the area. We still have to visit Swain’s, the Spit, Lake Sutherland, Lake Crescent, Freshwater Bay and my cousin, Wally. Whee! Can we do all of this in one day?  Maybe not …. but maybe.  At least we're certainly going to try.

Port Angeles is another town featured in the Twilight series.  There’s even a shop on Main Street dedicated to the show selling all kinds of souvenirs.  It’s usually packed with tourists.  We didn’t stop this time since we did the last time we were in town.

The Winery

On the way back to Sequim we stopped at the Winery. This winery was built from what used to be a huge red barn. I had always wanted to stop. This time we did and walked inside. Now we’ve been there, done that.

Just a gorgeous rural setting in Sequim with Olympic Mountains in background.

A couple miles from the Sequim Elks is another boat launch.  Water, beaches and boat launches seem to be just about everywhere.  We made a trip to check the beach area out.  I thought it was gorgeous.  The day was fairly nice in Sequim when we arrived but the sky and clouds toward the Olympic Mountains sure looked threatening.

Beach and boat launch area a short distance from Sequim Elks.

Next we followed the road down to the John Wayne Marina.  Yes, John Wayne actually owned property in this area.  He purchased it because he loved the Sequim area.  Later some of this property was donated for the marina.  Thus, it is named after him.

Sequim area beach.

Lee and Loralie are staying at the Sequim Bay RV Resort which is right by the marina.  We stopped, visited and caught up with each other’s adventures.  By the time we left and with all their talk of luscious rhubarb they had seen at a market, I was hungry for rhubarb pie.  Needless to say, it was 8:00 and many of the little cafes in town had already shut down.  Sequim has become a senior retirement area  so we figured that’s why they shut their doors early.  They probably figured all the seniors would be home getting ready for bed so no need to stay open.  All I can say is that they don't know the seniors I know!!

A great place for a picnic at the John Wayne Marina.

If you think you’re seeing a lot of water pictures, you’re right.  I love the water.  After all, my whole family (even the spouses) love the water.  I think it’s one of the questions we ask on our marriage applications.  Whether it’s swimming, canoeing, diving or just walking on the beach, we’re all water babies.  

Remember this one?

SEE -  WE’RE WATER BABIES!

A Trip Back to Portland and then to Sequim

As mentioned several times previously (I like to whine often), we needed to stay fairly close to the Portland area because of an appointment Terry had on Thursday.  We considered the distance of about 134 miles from the doctor’s office fairly close.  Well, that’s actually a lie.  We didn’t consider it close at all but we wanted to go someplace so at the time we thought it was worth it to drive a little bit.

Instead of taking off around 4:30 AM Thursday morning for this appointment, we left Wednesday afternoon.  That was the new plan.  It actually worked best.  We spent the night with our son and his family.  Now that part of it was really nice. 

We got to see Jordie’s new-to-her car all cleaned and polished.  Of course, she’s not 16 yet but she’s close and she’s ready to get that license and go, go, go.  Do you remember when it was you?  I guess not too much has changed between now and then.  We still want to go, go, go.

We didn’t get back to our motorhome until about 5:30 Thursday night.  It was just in time to get in all the Tacoma – Olympia – Fort Lewis work traffic.  That wasn’t fun.  We were glad to get that drive behind us.  However, it was also the last night on the lake.  One thing in the Pacific Northwest at this time of year, it’s not quite dark yet even at 10:00 pm.  The farther north we go the longer the daylight hours.  The only problem with that is it starts getting light out around 4:00 am.

Two eagles were doing acrobats low to the water right out our window.  Perhaps, they were actually just putting on a show to tell us good bye.  Did I get that picture?  Heck no.  By the time I grabbed my shoes and the camera, they were tipping their wings someplace else.  It was all a tease.  The good thing is they did return.

After clicking at least a thousand pictures, we figured it was time to head onto our next adventure.  

It was time to say goodbye to our little park on the lake.  It was a good day for traveling and it was a short distance. 

This is the Hood Canal Bridge.  I remember when there used to be a ferry across this stretch of water but it’s not needed here anymore.  The bridge goes right across the water.

Friday morning we moved … again.  It wasn’t a long drive.  The Sequim Elks was only 100 miles away.    How long will we be at the Elks?  Well, three nights for sure and then …………………………. ?  We don't know but we do have some places to re-visit.

This is where we are at least right now!

 

Point Defiance -- What a Gorgeous Place!

It’s all about your attitude … Some people complain because there are thorns on roses, while others praise thorns for having roses among them.

Tuesday was such a gorgeous day.  Well, it was after the fog lifted which was fairly early.  Actually, even the fog was interesting to look at.  The eagles were active in the trees, boaters were on the water fishing and others were out with their canoes.  It was pretty nice.

 

After Duchess went on a long walk and was fed, Terry and I took off for Point Defiance.  This is a park located just 18 miles from where we were parked.  After checking it out online, we figured it would be a highlight.  I can’t say we were disappointed.  How can anyone be disappointed on such a beautiful day with so much to see?

This park is one of the busiest in Washington State and with 702 acres has a lot of ground for those visitors to check out.  In addition to the gorgeous views, there are numerous walking trails, saltwater beaches, a marina, the zoo and aquarium.  Anthony’s Seafood Restaurant also offers a fabulous menu with local seafood items along with outside seating at the marina.  There is also a place for the public to throw in their fishing line and catch a salmon, lingcod or even put in a crab net.  There’s just so much to see and so much to do that you’d need days to do it all in.

First of all, I had to walk through the rose garden, the fuchsia garden, the oriental garden.  Those are things I just had to do first.  It was beautiful and so fragrant.

Next, we headed off to the marina for Anthony’s.  As we walked along the boardwalk, we watched them lower a boat into the water via the boat elevator.  If you choose not to launch your own boat at their 8-lane boat launch, you can have them lower you and the boat via this elevator.  Cool, huh?  That would be the way I would want to do it.  Nothing but the best and the easiest.  Of course, I didn't check out the price.  That could change everything.

We sat outside on the deck at Anthony’s.  It was an absolutely gorgeous day, a gorgeous view and wonderful food.  We had a view of the Puget Sound, Vashon Island, the ferry and Mt. Rainer.  Terry even discovered oyster stew on the menu.  He loves oyster stew and he really loved the bowl of it he was served.  I opted for lingcod.  You don’t see lingcod on the menu many places other than the Northwest.  Again, it was amazing.

Next, we took the 5-mile drive around the edge of the park.  There were several turnoffs and we stopped at all of them.  The beach was packed with people.  School was out and it seemed everyone that could, was there.

We also came across several hungry raccoons begging for food.  As you drove along the road inside the park, they would sit on the driver’s side waiting for you to toss food out.  It was so funny.  I guess they’ve learned that humans pack food with them.  They just wanted some.  We donated a strawberry.

It was a great day.  We would have loved to check out the aquarium and the zoo but we were totally zonked.  This is one place you can’t do in just one day.  However, it was back to the motorhome.  Duchess was happy to see us.  Even though it was close to bedtime, we still crashed for a nap.

Some days are full and other days are really full.  This was a really full day.  Tomorrow is laundry day.  We’ve put it off as long as we could.  If we don’t do laundry, we have to go shopping.  So, we’ll do laundry instead.

Well, you know my blogs aren't always up to date.  This was Tuesday and this is how the rest of the week went.  Wednesday ended up being another travel day.  Thursday was a travel day and so was Friday.  I can guarantee you that Saturday will not be.  

(  ......  to be continued, of course)

Neighbors at the RV Park

If you think you are too small to be effective, you have never been in the dark with a mosquito!

We have neighbors at this park. Not only do we have a family of little geese wandering around on the ground and in the water. We have other neighbors watching over us in the trees. Check out this gorgeous Eagle. I certainly did. It’s amazing how fast you can get dressed and out the door in the morning when you want to take a picture of something. The Eagle is definitely what I wanted to take a picture of.  This Eagle was posing.  We had seen a few others going back and forth to the trees but this one seemed to be just waiting for me to get out there and take his picture.

This is the geese family we have wandering around.  I even got hissed at as I tried to take the picture.  Obviously, I backed off pretty fast.

Tuesday morning was a foggy morning over the lake.  It didn’t take long for the fog to clear off but it was certainly beautiful and eerie.  I love having the water to look at.  We’re getting many different views of it from where we sit.

When I originally scratched out this blog I was going to say that we still didn’t know where we were going on Friday but just that we were going.  We actually have to go.  There is no availability at this park over the weekend.  Not having a place to stay over the weekend could be a problem anyplace one decides to go since weekends are not proprietary to any park.  They are everywhere.  Wal-Mart probably has accommodations but hopefully we aren't forced too often to find one.  Staying at a Wal-Mart doesn’t sound fun to me especially when we want to do more than just drive through.

 

Actually we had thought about Sequim Bay RV Resort where Loralie and Lee are.  If I had thought about these things during business hours, I would call but I usually don’t.  So, I sent an email requesting information on availability.  When I didn’t get an answer, I sent it again several days later but just changed subject line to 2nd request.  Wanda was pretty fast at responding that she didn’t get the first one.  She also added, “Perhaps if you contact us earlier to make a reservation next time.”  Hmmm.  If you know me, that probably won’t happen.  If it does, I’m sure my mind would be changed by the time the dates rolled around.

So, where are we going?  We're going to the Sequim Elks.  I'm originally from Port Angeles (16 miles west of Sequim) so this is kind of like going home.  I did call the Elks and they do have lots of empty sites. They were certainly friendly on the phone so I'm just sure they're going to roll out the red carpet for us!

The fog has cleared and I see lots of blue sky.  We’re going to be off shortly to Point Defiance Park in Tacoma.    I love having an opportunity to see different places.  The day will be gorgeous and I’m sure we’ll have fantastic scenery to enjoy.