On the Point in Port Townsend

 July 7 - 14, 2021

Port Townsend, Washington

A quick 30 mile drive in separate vehicles takes us north to the quirky and quaint town of Port Townsend. We've visited several times, and this time we're staying here. Point Hudson Marina and RV Park is on Puget Sound - full hookup utility posts divide a dirt and weed lot into very snug sites. Making the reservation in January, I was able to get us one space from the water's edge with full views in front. In addition to the beauty, we're a few blocks from town. A little town with a very busy main street where Fed Ex and UPS park in the middle of the road. Making for a challenging final few blocks to the marina :-)

A first for us is a fabulous restaurant a few yards from our home! Docs Marina Grill has great food, service and wine - we enjoy it a few times during our stay.

When we pulled out of Gig Harbor the steps failed to go out when Bill was getting out. With everything going on while in Sequim we scheduled a mobile tech for this stop. In the meantime we're up and down the step ladder, and Tessa is making the big leap in and out. Sigh.....

Front yard views.

Point Hudson Marina is very busy.

When we don't have a waterside neighbor our views are even better!

Fortunately our very, very close neighbors on the other side are quiet and friendly, since our slides nearly touch.

With our beautiful views we spend more time than usual at home. Port Townsend is one of my favorite places to shop, because there are so many unique and adorable places to browse. I spend a couple hours one afternoon, and bring home a couple scoops of ice cream from Elevated! Per usual, we take a few day trips, including a ferry ride to Whidbey Island.

Fort Flagler parade grounds and officer housing overlooking the Sound.

USGS research center at the beach.

Fort Flagler SP Campground has many tall whirligigs and flags - they're colorful and fun!

A foggy day at Fort Worden takes us to Point Wilson Lighthouse. Active from 1879 to 1913, restoration efforts are ongoing.

Fort Worden is an active part of the Port Townsend community, with vacation rentals, museums, classes, galleries, and a pub. 

I love this old theatre, currently sitting dormant.

The old schoolhouse currently hosts adult classes.

We've taken ferries in the rig, in the Jeep and on foot, and never "felt" the trip across the water like we do this time. Both of us are feeling a little green by the time we arrive in the Jeep at Whidbey Island. We're soon fine, and don't have similar effects on the return trip. Hope it was a one-off!

Whidbey has a wonderful diversity including beaches (of course), mountains, forest, farmland and small towns. Deception Pass is incredible, but with zero parking available on either side of the bridge I'm unable to get a photo. There is also major construction on most of the bridge.

Monochromatic morning leaving Port Townsend on the ferry.

North Beach at Deception Pass State Beach.

Tessa and I walk awhile on the pretty beach, but it's too rocky for zoomies :-(

Admiralty Head Lighthouse at Fort Casey SP. Like the other state parks in the area, the campgrounds are at or near capacity. 

Mike from West Sound RV arrives as scheduled on Monday morning, and within an hour has our steps working! So nice not having to use the ladder anymore. Not so nice is trying to find a rental car for our upcoming time in Sumner to get the hitch installed on the Jeep. I finally give up when the only available option in a 100 mile radius is $700 for three days! 

Also challenging is getting reservations for the next leg of our route. I was waiting to confirm Canada was not opening for tourists and that we would need to use Plan B on Hwy 20. But I waited too long and every place I call for a couple days is either full or I'm waiting for a return call. Plans C and D are mapped just in case. 

Our final day is a real treat when we get a visit from our high school friend Katie. We visited during our last trip to Seattle where she's lived for a couple decades, and this time she makes the drive to see us. Lunch at Docs and hanging out in our waterfront yard makes for a perfect afternoon. 

Just after Katie leaves, Tessa gives us a real scare with violent sneezing that she can't stop. There are a lot of foxtails here, and I'm afraid she's got one stuck in her nostril. I call the ER vet in town only to find out they can't take her in because they're slammed. The next closest vet is 40 minutes away with up to a five hour wait!! It's terrifying that we can't get her any help if it becomes serious. Fortunately she eventually gets rid of whatever she had and is eating, drinking and playing normally. I call to take us off the waiting list and take my own deep breaths.

Katie and Bill - and the ferry coming into port.

Mt Baker in the distance. Nesting boxes up close.

Just before we leave this momma and fawn stop for a bite to eat.   

Like most of our stops, our time goes too fast, and I'm already looking forward to coming back in 2024 and staying longer. 

Next we return south driving separately, where hopefully we'll get the rig and Jeep connected once again.