You might think that during the short and often damp, foggy days of the winter months here in the Sequim-Dungeness Valley there isn't all that much to see. Or that while the Dungeness Spit and its National Wildlife Refuge offer terrific birdwatching, there's not much bird activity in the farms and wetlands a bit inland. Maybe I can interest you in a burgeoning population of trumpeter swans?
Located on Sequim Bay, about .3 miles from the John Wayne Marina, the easily accessible 4.2 acre Pitship Pocket Estuary is a wonderful place to look for birds.
Located in Port Ludlow, just across the Hood Canal Bridge, this small waterfall (about 25 feet) and well-designed half-mile interpretive nature trail loop is a good place to stop.
Originally built in 1879, the Point Wilson Lighthouse has been automated since 1976 and is monitored by a computer located at the Coast Guard Air Station at Port Angeles. It’s a bit battered from sitting on the exposed point, and closed to the public except for scheduled weekend tours in the summer, but still guiding boats safely around the entrance to Admiralty Inlet, which connects the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Puget Sound.
A lovely sandy beach along Jamestown Road looking out over the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Though parking is virtually nonexistant, unless you're extremely lucky, take the drive from end to end of the road. And don't be ashamed to pull off to the side to snap some pictures. I do!
The old Knutsen Farmhouse, built around the turn of the century, sits right on the Old Olympic Highway. I've driven past it numerous times, and finally decided to see what information I could uncover.
Taking advantage of rare break in the last week’s worth of wind and rain, I headed out to the Blue Mountain School, a one-room schoolhouse built in 1903. Located on a 5-acre lot, both the school and the cemetery are on the National Register of Historic Places.
Located about 15 miles west of Port Angeles, this state park has something for just about everybody -- camping, hiking, picnicking, play park, tidepools, stunning views, and military history! And best of all, there's no entry fee or day use fee (though there is a fee for overnight camping).
Despite the short days, usually accompanied by fog and rain, I do love this time of year. The holiday lights in Sequim and Port Angeles go up right around Thanksgiving, adding plenty of brightness and cheer.
Take a trip from Port Angeles, WA to Victoria, British Columbia aboard the Black Ball ferry. A short and scenic 90-minute sailing puts you in Victoria's Inner Harbor with so much to see and do.