To the Washington Coast

June 30, 2009

Long Beach,WA

We are now at Andersens RV Park in Long Beach, WA, about 100 yds from the beach. Beautiful drive from Sequim, mostly on 101. Of note were the zillions of firs blown over in Oct. 2007 by 120 mile an hour winds that lasted for 3 hours. Most of the fallen trees had been harvested---a ‘windfall’ for Weyerhauser who owned most of the treed properties.

Now for a little recent history-update:

Up early on Sunday, we headed to Seattle by the Bainbridge Ferry, Annika along for the ride. The highlight was Pikes Public Market, where just about anything could be purchased from the numerous vendors and shops. Mouthwatering crabs at the fish-market, well into the 2 lb range. Same price, $7.99 a pound, but these were truly fit for royalty. This is the fish market where the employees toss 20 lb Chinook salmon to workers behind the counter for filleting. A good show. Walked about a mile to Pioneer Square, which was a non-event. Annika remained in the parked car (beneath the freeway), wisely snoozing while we were pounding our sore feet. Next moved to a location near the new park with the artistic statues, gazing at the shipping traffic. Finally a drive through a residential neighborhood, winding up at an arboretum.

Headed to the airport where Julie boarded an earlier flight to Lost Wages. Janice and I returned with Annika on the ferry, about a 2 hour trip overall.

Yesterday was spent visiting Port Townsend and nearby Fort Worden, where parts of "Officer and a Gentleman" were filmed. Nice RV park at Fort Worden if the weather is OK. Port Townsend featured numerous tantalizing restaurants. We decided on Sirens overlooking the water for a bowl of yummy clam chowder.

Hopping the 2:15 ferry to Whidbey Island (by foot) with Annika on leash, we were met at the Keystone landing by Tom and Patti Heerhartz, transplantees from Sacramento, who hosted us for a fabulous scallops/prawns/pasta dinner on their deck next to Puget Sound. The best meal on the trip! After too short a visit, we were hustled back to the ferry landing for a 7:30 departure. Per ferry rules I spent most of the ½ hour voyage chilling outside on the upper deck with Annika, later to be advised by the crew that because she is so well behaved, it would have been OK to bring her inside. Next time, buddy!

Sequim crab dinner update: Pound for pound (and dollar for dollar) the worst crabfeast ever. The crabs were not only small (3 weighed 3 ½ pounds compared to 2 lbs each for the big succulent ones) but there was a stringiness in the meat in one of them. Janice quit eating after 2 pieces, leaving Julie and I to gobble up the rest. Of course we did! French bread, asparagus and chardonnay all OK.