Traveling Sisters - Port Townsend, Sequim and Fort Worden - July 18-20, 2016

Since 2012 Phil has had his annual family picnic on the 3^rd Sunday of July.  Typically it is just us local siblings and families, and Heather brings Skyler up from CA.  We always have a good time and its fun to catch up with everyone.  This year Ruth and Earl joined us from Minnesota. 

Carol, Ruth and I arranged for a little sister trip Monday 7/18 to Wed 7/19.  We decided to drive over to Fort Worden on the Olympic Peninsula.  We also thought it would be good to check it out for a possible family reunion in the future, as we had heard it was a good setting.  On the property you can rent houses (single or duplex type), dormitories, and more. It’s a great setting for conferences as well as family gatherings. Carol rented a house for the 3 of us so we headed out Monday morning.   I drove to Fauntleroy and caught the 10:20 am ferry to Southworth (Port Orchard) which stops at Vashon.  Ruth and Carol boarded when we got to Vashon.   It was a beautiful warm day and we enjoyed catching up with each other and hearing all about the kids and how everyone was doing as we drove along.  We also enjoyed the scenery and stopped a couple times along the way.  We got to Port Townsend about 1 or so and walked around a little, then went to the Fountain Cafe for lunch.  Port Townsend is a cute little town, with lots of Victorian houses and Bed and Breakfasts.  It is right on the water and has beautiful views. The town has some cute little stores and highly recommended restaurants / bistros.  After lunch we walked around and checked out a few of the stores before going to check in at Fort Worden.     
 

Fort Worden is about 10 minutes north of Port Townsend, so about 4pm we drove up there to check in.  The house we rented was two stories, with 2 bedrooms and 2 baths.  Although rustic looking on the outside, they had painted and cleaned up the inside.  Still had beautiful wooden floors, high ceilings, individual rooms but it was comfortable and cozy.  It didn’t have a TV, hair dryer, microwave, but it worked for us.  After we settled in we checked out the grounds then drove up to Safeway to get a few things, then stopped a picked up a pizza at Waters to take back to the house.   We used Ruth’s computer and watched An Officer and a Gentleman which was filmed on the grounds of Fort Worden, and around the town of Port Townsend.

On Tuesday morning we got up and took a walk around the property then drove to Farms Reach Cafe and picked up sandwiches for lunch.  We drove up to Sequim, then on past Port Angeles to Marymere Falls.  After eating a quick lunch in the park, we decided to go to the falls.  It’s a short loop hike (1.8 miles) through beautiful old growth forest to the falls, with a little climb at the end.  Of course I lagged behind at the end.  I teased that this is the day that will be known as the day my sisters tried to kill me.  I’m glad I did the hike and it was beautiful, and well worth it. 

We drove back to Port Angeles and drove up to Hurricane Ridge.  Although the weather was a little cloudy in Port Angeles, (clear and sunny in Sequim), as we drove the 17 miles to the Visitor center it became more and more foggy.  When we finally reached the visitor center it was completely fogged in and was quite a bit colder.  We didn’t stay long as we really couldn’t see anything.  We then drove back to Sequim and looked around a few shops then went to Galare Thai, which Mike had recommended to Carol.   It was a 5 star place, and lived up to its reputation.   After a great dinner, we drove back to Port Townsend for ice cream at Elevated Ice Cream.  That evening we shared pictures and talked a bit before going to bed. Ruth gave us each a book that she had made with pictures of the 3 of us over the years, growing up then on our sisters trips.  Such a special gift that will be treasured forever.

Wednesday morning we went to Sweet Laurette Cafe and Bistro, a French bistro.  We were served our lattes in bowls (European style).  I had poached eggs (cooked perfectly!) and toast with fruit.   After breakfast we walked around the town a little more before getting on the road.   We met up with Mike in Tacoma and had an early dinner at Boathouse 19, then Ruth and I headed to my house for the night.  

Thursday morning Ruth and I met Phil for breakfast at Countryside Café, then he offered to take Ruth to the airport and I left for work (can’t wait to retire!).  Quick little sister’s trip, but even so we had a great time.  Can’t wait to do it again!