Once a 200 acre farm owned by the Blake family, Carrie Blake Park is a 52 acre park on the east edge of Sequim.
This wonderful park has just about everything – picnic areas, an off-leash dog park, two playground areas, a Japanese garden, three ponds, pickleball and tennis courts, soccer and softball fields, a skate park, an amphitheater with a large expanse of lawn, a water reuse demonstration area, but my favorite are the lovely, peaceful, well maintained walking paths.
The weatherman predicts a week full of rain, so grabbing my camera, I took the nine-mile drive along the western side of Discovery Bay.
Somewhere, in between running errands around Sequim, I noticed a banner strung across Washington Street at the west end of town, announcing the eighth Olympic Peninsula Air Affaire set for August 28. Well, I thought, that would be fun! Saturday morning was sunny, clear and a perfect 70 degrees, so I kidnapped my mother and we went to the Sequim Valley Airport.
Despite the clouds, I set from Sequim headed for Joyce, about 35 miles away. Founded in 1913 by Joseph M. Joyce, the little town of Joyce breaks out in a big way the first Saturday of August. Blackberries grow very well around here (too well if you ask me and my pinpicked hands after pulling them out in what feels like a vain attempt to keep them out of my yard.). The Joyce Daze Wild Blackberry Festival celebrates this tasty and prickly bush.
The Port Townsend Aero Museum displays roughly 19 vintage aircraft (dated from the 1920s to the 1940s), all lovingly and beautifully restored and in flying condition. Some of the airplanes are rotated in and out of display, so it's never quite the same from visit to visit.
Fort Townsend Historical State Park has all but returned to nature. Other than a World War II era munitions tower, no structures from the fort remain. What it does have is 417 acres, 6.5 miles of wooded trails, and secluded campsites, only 3 miles from Port Townsend.
Graysmarsh Farm is a locally-owned lovely 1,000-acre lavender and berry farm just northeast of Sequim, next to the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Settled by 1897, the farm is still a working farm where you can pick berries (or buy pre-picked flats on a first-come-first-served basis), as well as preserves, honey, and a few assorted veggies.
Anderson Lake State Park is a 496-acre day-use park surrounding a 70 acre lake. There are 8 miles of hiking trails, 7 miles of bike trails and 5 miles of equestrian trails.
Running from May 1 through October 31, the Sequim Farmers & Artisans Market is a small (roughly 40 vendors) outdoor market that is always fun to visit. Held at the Sequim City Hall Plaza, you can find farm fresh produce, artisan and handmade crafts, and a handful of prepared food vendors.
If you're wondering where to start exploring the Olympic National Park's nearly one million acres replete with hiking trails, mountain peaks, 70 miles of coastline and beaches, a temperate rainforest, campgrounds, fishing, and wildlife, Hurricane Ridge is a great place to start.
A brilliantly sunny Saturday, a four hour jaunt through Oak Bay, Port Townsend Bay and Admiralty Inlet, boats, seals, and fun with my sisters - this is the Olympic Peninsula at its best.
If you're taking a roadtrip along the Olympic Highway, don't just go west to the coast, head the other direction as well. Highway 101 loops in and out of the eastern edge of the Olympic National Park and is a such a scenic drive. Make a stop and spend some time at Whitney Gardens & Nursery in the town of Brinnon.