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!