Sequim, WA - August 3 - 16, 2008
After scenic drive up the west coast of the Olympic Peninsula we arrived at Gilgal Oasis RV Resort in Sequim on the Peninsula's north shore. While not easy driving, the route was fine, beautiful and enjoyable. However, one bridge north of Forks should have been marked as a 'one-lane bridge', or 'not advisable for two RVs crossing at the same time'. We encountered another RV on the bridge with no time to stop or divert our path. No damage was done, except to our nerves.
Gilgal Oasis is a small RV park located within walking distance of downtown Sequim and very near the Olympic Discovery Bike Trail. The park's restrooms and laundry are sparkling clean, the grounds are very well kept, and flowers are in abundance. The only drawback is the sites are rather narrow.
Our first evening in town we met George and Claudia at their home on the Dungeness Golf Course, then joined them for dinner at the 7 Cedars Casino on the edge of town. We'd met George and Claudia in Sutherlin, Oregon in July and knew they would be in Sequim if their home hadn't yet sold. We must have brought them luck, because their home sold the very next day. We hope to see them this winter in Arizona.
Linda, Susan's sister, would join us for a week while we were in Sequim so we saved much of the fun stuff for her visit. However, before her arrival we walked the 5-mile long Dungeness Spit to the Lighthouse, , biked the Olympic Discovery Trail and hiked part of the Gray Wolf River Trail in Olympic National Park. On the trail we met with maintenance folks and their equipment packing llamas. They told us the previous winter had been so fierce they had to clear more than 300 fallen trees from the trail. We saw abundant evidence of nature's winter fury during our hike.
We also visited the Jardin du Soleil lavender gardens. Unfortunately, we just missed the annual Lavender Festival that celebrates the abundance of the fragrant fields in the Sequim area. After our visit to Jardin we understand the regions boast to be the Provence of North America.
Very early on August 11th we drove to the Bainbridge Island Ferry for the short ride to Seattle and SeaTac Airport to meet Linda. It was very overcast as we crossed Puget Sound, but fortunately by midday the clouds lifted and we had wonderful views of Seattle.
Linda arrived on time and after lots of hugs and kisses we headed north to lunch at the Space Needle and take in the views of the Emerald City from the revolving restaurant. After a scrumptious lunch and a tour of the observation deck we caught the monorail to the 'mall', then walked to Pike's Place Market.
Pike's was very, very crowded. Oy! We became more intimate than we intended with several hundred (thousand?) strangers. But the Market was so festive with colorful produce and flowers, happy tourists, and flying fish we didn't mind the crowds. After watching the artisans and tasting the yummy samples at Beecher's Handmade Cheese and taking in the street artists and musicians we meandered back to the 'mall' to catch the monorail. Alas, it was broken - again. However, we successfully found the right bus, retrieved our car at the Space Needle and made our way to the ferry terminal.
The eastbound crossing was beautiful in the bright sunshine and we were treated to breathtaking views of Mount Rainier and the Seattle skyline. We all had a magnificent day and were happily weary as we arrived back in Sequim.
After a day of relaxing and showing Linda some of the sights around Sequim we headed for Cape Flattery, the northwestern most spot in the lower forty-eight states. We had been to the other three corners so we absolutely had to do this trek.
On the way we stopped at beautiful Crescent Lake and did a short hike through a majestic old growth forest to Marymere Falls. We also took a short side trip to an area noted for its lush shamrock carpet. Alas, no leprachauns.
After a picnic lunch overlooking Clallam Bay, and being watched over by Rosie the strolling fish, we moved on to the Cape - just in time for the fog to descend. Although visibility was limited, we could see and hear how rugged this corner of our country is. Not a place one would want to be during a winter storm.
The next day was our big adventure to Victoria, British Columbia and initiating Linda to international travel - on a small scale. We caught the Victoria Express Ferry out of Port Angeles, then rode the bus to the world renowned Butchart Gardens. Our bus driver, surely a repressed comedian, kept us thoroughly entertained during the 45-minute ride.
Bill and Susan had visited the gardens years before but never during the summer, and this was a first time treat for Linda. The Gardens, fountains and sculptures are indescribably beautiful, of course. During this season we were especially impressed by the perfection of the enormous Dahlias and the rich pure colors of the Begonias.
We caught the bus back to Victoria and an excellent lunch at Milestone's overlooking the Inner Harbor. Then things went horribly awry. Susan insisted on visiting Craigdarroch Castle. Getting no serious objections we wandered a bit downtown then trekked the 1.5 miles UP to the Castle - in the midday heat. Frankly, the castle was more impressive on the website and the heat was making some folks in our party a bit surly, so after a brief stop we headed back to the harbor area - or so we thought.
Apparently, Susan's gyroscope was on the fritz and she led us off in the wrong direction. After walking some distance Bill suggested we were being misguided and Linda confirmed the assumption by asking for directions. After walking several more miles we were finally back on the totally inadequate tourist map. Susan had turned a 3-miles round trip to an unimpressive castle into a seven-mile forced march in the hot sun. She was summarily relieved of her duties!
On the early evening ferry back to Port Angeles, with a golden glow on the city of Victoria and a spectacular view of the Olympic Mountains all was forgiven and peace once again descended on our little world.
The next day we were off to Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park. With its glaciers, rugged peaks, wildflowers and wildlife this is truly an awesome place. We were still a bit footsore from pounding the Canadian pavement so only did a short hike and absorbed the mountains' majesty.
That evening Linda treated us to her special Alaskan King Crab Leg Louis. It was a perfect ending to a perfect day.
Saturday, our last full day on the Olympic Peninsula, we headed off to stroll the charming streets Port Townsend. We visited the Farmer's Market, browsed the shops and galleries and lunched at Fins overlooking the marina. We then drove out to Fort Worden to check out the lighthouse and dip our feet into the Straits of Juan de Fuca.
We really enjoyed Sequim and were blessed with good weather during our stay. The Olympic Peninsula is a place to which we would like to return.
On Sunday we packed up, disconnected and headed south to visit Sue and Mike, our stepsister and her husband in Roy, Washington. This was the first time Linda rode in the Beast. She had two requests, 1) that she could ride shotgun, and 2) that Susan wouldn't drive. Both requests were granted.
