Stillhowlyntravels: What we mostly didn't do......

Sunday, August 18, 2013

What we mostly didn't do......

In past years we've spent our two weeks, all that is allowed in this site, madly running around to see all there is to see; long drives and all-day trips were the norm. The area contains an abundance of sightseeing opportunities and we were determined to see them all. Now this time, not so much, but here are a few tidbits on what can be done:

1. Hurricane Ridge, in the Olympic NP, is up from Port Angeles, about 55 miles west of our location. One travels from sea level to 5242' in 17 miles only to be greeted by the most magnificent subalpine landscape, meadows of wildflowers, patches of snow with grazing blacktail deer, and lots of tremendous views and hiking trails.

2. Cape Flattery: How about a hike to the most northwestern point in the lower US, along boardwalk trails to the very edge where the Strait of Juan de Fuca meets the Pacific ocean. Again the trip entails a drive to Port Angeles, then pick up SR 112 for another 65 miles to Neah and the Makah Indian Reservation.

3. Seattle: Ready for a tourist day? Bainbridge Island is a destination in itself, but also the take-off point for a short 35 minute ferry ride to downtown Seattle. Just grab a map, cross the impressive Hood Canal Bridge, the world's longest floating bridge, and you'll soon be trolling the aisles of Pike Place Market!

4. The town of Sequim provides all our shopping needs plus a beautiful drive along Discovery Bay. The Dungeness Recreation Area, on the banks of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and the Sequim Lavender Farms add another full-day side trip from Port Townsend.

5. The trip to Victoria, BC involves a very long day: up early for the drive to Port Angeles and the 8:10 ferry departure for a 90 minute sail across the Strait and into the beautiful "Garden City". The Parliament Buildings, The Empress Hotel, and many shops and restaurants are within easy walking. Or you can hop on a double-decker bus for an extended tour of exotic Chinatown, Historic Antique Row, the Inner Harbour, and exclusive residential areas of Uplands and Oak Bay. Well worth the price.

Yes, these were all on past trips to the Olympic Peninsula. In the last weeks we have visited with friends and had wonderful dinners out, drove over to Marrowstone Island and out to Fort Flagler.

And to Poulsbo, a charming Scandinavian seaside village for yet another visit and good food. Thank goodness for all the walking we do around town, especially uptown for the Wednesday and Saturday Farmer's Market.