Visiting Sequim

Due to a mix-up in our reservation, instead of staying in Port Townsend (WA), we had to find an RV park quickly.

Now for someone who makes reservations between two and six months in advance, being required to find a spot in a couple of hours is a challenge.

But while I was settling up our cancellation, Kate found an ideal spot in Sequim (pronounced “skwim”) about 20 miles west of Port Townsend. Here we met Lee and Beth, two of the friendliest and most helpful park managers we have met in our travels. We were given the last remaining site in this small oasis and ended the evening believing that all the events of the day were meant to be.

Approaching Sequim, we noticed the Elk Crossing sign with lights. We learned that eight elk in the herd of about 80 in the Sequim area wear transmitting radio collars.

When the elk begin moving toward the highway to reach the greener grass of the town, the collar signals are sent to an innovative system of receivers along Highway 101 just east and south of Sequim. These receivers pick up the elk signals, triggering flashing lights on the elk crossing signs to warn motorists when elk are close enough to be a collision danger. Sure made sense to me--humans and elk all are safer.

Sequim is tucked between the Olympic Mountains to the southwest and the Strait of Juan de Fuca on the north coast. The three photos below show the view toward the mountains from the RV park.

A walk in the meadow found these two fading flowers.

Sequim, with a population a little over 6,000 is currently in a “slowed growth” status, with the current city council trying to hold off any future development by adding sizeable fees for development.

The town is a very walkable town with the businesses located along the main street through the middle of town.

Sequim's landmark grain elevator, the tallest building in the area, was built in 1945 to accommodate grain production and operated until 1977. It has been home to the Mexican restaurant El Cazador since the early 1980s and now also serves the area as a multi-purpose communications tower.

Stretching 5.5 miles into the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the Dungeness Spit is the world's longest naturally occurring sandspit and home to the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge. Since this National facility was closed due to the federal government shut-down, we could not travel into the area that serves as a sanctuary for over 250 species of birds, 41 species of land mammals and 8 species of water mammals.

Interestingly enough, however, the Dungeness Lighthouse, operated by the Dungeness Light Station Association since 1994, was open. So, the only way to reach the Light Station is limited to small boats and kayaks in calm seas.

We caught a Market Faire on a Saturday morning. Because it was nearing the end of the growing season, more of the booths were for vendors other than growers.

One merchant with a unique product was selling yarn bowls (shown in the next two photos).

A person from the Raggedy Rug Company was selling handwoven rugs made from discarded material.

The vendors selling vegetables had some beautiful examples of their crops on display.

And one of the most interesting merchants was at this booth selling powdered green onions.

Interesting and a very good seasoning.