Taking my camera out and about the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State.
Sequim Irrigation Festival Float Unveiling and Kickoff Dinner
The Sequim Irrigation Festival is the longest running festival in the state of Washington. 2024 marks the event's 129th year! This year's festival theme is "Mountains to Shore, Whatever You're Looking For" and will run from May 3 - 12, but the build up to the festival starts months ahead of time.
Fort Townsend Historical State Park
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
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
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.
Sequim Farmers Market
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.
Hurricane Ridge
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 Day on Port Townsend Bay and Admiralty Inlet
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.
Whitney Gardens & Nursery
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.
McAlmond House
This Gothic-Revival style farmhouse was built in 1861 by Captain Elijah H. McAlmond (1825-1919), and is the oldest frame residence in Clallam County. At the time, it was considered one of the finest houses in all of the Puget Sound area. It is the only house still standing from the early settlement of New Dungeness.
Littleneck Beach
Down at the end of Sequim Bay, across from the 7 Cedars Hotel & Casino, is a gem of a beach that exists due to the herculean restoration efforts of the Jamestown S'Kallam Tribe, Clallam Conservation District, North Olympic Salmon Coalition, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and a host of others.
Freshwater Bay
72 degrees and sunny means it’s time to hit the beach. Just 10 miles west of Port Angeles is Freshwater Bay County Park, a 21-acre park on the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
