Checking out Port Angeles

The sun came out and we took off for another glorious day! Our plan was to check out Port Angeles to see if it should be a destination with the kids. We seem to have way more to do than our week will allow.  But no matter the decision, today we would enjoy the sun and views of mountains and sea.The town of Port Angeles is on the San Juan de Fuca Strait directly across from Victoria. As such it is a shipping port, fishing center, and ferry terminal to Victoria.

The town has views of the strait on one side and the snow topped Olympic mountains on the other side. One of the entrances into the Olympic National Park is outside of Port Angeles.

It was very interesting talking with the locals and the comparisons they made with Sequim. It seems Sequim has the wealthier populace with retirees from California and Seattle. However, the restaurant choices seem to be better in Port Angeles and there is certainly more shopping as well as a hospital.

After checking out the small marine center with its touch tanks we walked over to the Saturday market and had lunch. I had a terrific pulled pork sandwich and Lee had the best fish and chips we’ve had yet.

A quick stop at the National Park visitors center confirmed the fact that we need to be there early in the morning for the drive up to Hurricane Ridge. With only a few entrances into the park, each one can become crowded during the summer days. So instead of driving on up, we chose to check out a playground (a must for little guys) and then the outdoor art space.

The Port Angeles Fine Art Center was a gift from Ester Barrows Webster to the city of Port Angeles. One of its claims to fame is that it is the ‘west-most center for contemporary art in the lower 48.’ The ART OUTSIDE is a walk through the forest with surprises at every nook and corner. It was very easy to miss some of the more hidden art works. Lee and I were constantly saying..oh look at that!

 

We have seen several beautiful buildings made with glass bottles but this was a first for plastic water bottles… maybe not so beautiful, but surely interesting.

The views of the town were also beautiful. The mountains in the distance are in Canada.

A cultural difference in the northwest compared to the east are the great number of drive through coffee shops. They seem to be on every street. This one was much larger than most so we figured it would be an easy stop with the truck. I had an iced mocha and Lee had a regular coffee and we enjoyed a few leftover donut holes from the Cock-a-doodle Donut shop in Port Angeles.

Then back home. It is supposed to rain tomorrow (again) but now I know the sun will return in all its glory!

Hope you had a glorious day too!

A few extra thoughts:

We were lucky last week to have Jeri and Terry come to the area for a few days. We’ve gotten together a couple of times and enjoyed sharing our stories and laughing. She writes a great blog and you can find it here: http://blog.willywagon.net/ Today Terry left Lee a little gift on their blog!

For some reason I am having trouble writing comments on some blogs. Weaver, Ederlys, Camping Millers… don’t know why, but I want you to know I am reading and you are in my thoughts!

And welcome to our newest reader…Longdog2! Do you have a blog? I would love to read it as well if you do.