Sequim, WA

A quick visit

We had made several visits to Sequim while working in Seattle and Bremerton over the years. This is one place we could return over and over and never get tired of being here.

By the middle of August, the lavender fields have faded and many harvested. But riding our bikes along the Olympic Discovery Trail by these lavender farms, stores and farm markets is always a treat. It has one of the driest areas in western Washington and considered the "banana belt".

The pole at the Sequim Civic Center was carved by the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe’s carvers and watched over us as we enjoyed the farmers market.

Baby and big artichokes

I am not sure why we wanted to share the waffle but you can't go wrong with lemon custard on a crispy vanilla Belgium waffle.

Olympic Discovery Trail

The Olympic Discovery Trail over the Dungeness River at Railroad Bridge Park as we rode 25 miles over the mostly flat rail trail. 

Whimsical Woods along the bike path makes fun bird houses from natural items found around the area.

We could see the Dungeness Lighthouse at the end of the 5 mile Dungeness Spit which is part of the Dungeness Wildlife Refuge, watching the barges bring their wares from China through the Strait of Juan de Fuca. You can even become a lighthouse keeper and stay at the lighthouse.

 Looking up into the trees there were bald eagles perched on a snag. I think he was looking at us.

On our walk back up the trail, we watched what looked like a kangaroo mouse according to the wild life person at the trailhead. Maybe he was a deer mouse, but he was sure cute and not concerned with us and he bounced around gathering seeds.

Crescent Lake

Marymere Falls is a nice short 1.5 mile walk from Crescent Lake and was a good stop on our way to Sequim.

Relatively easy walk up through the forest along a good trail crossing two bridges and then steps up to the viewpoint.

 I had hoped for another ride on the Coho Ferry to Victoria, British Columbia from  Port Angeles. But with limited time in Sequim, that would have to wait this time.

Now on to Port Townsend 30 miles down the road.

Sequim, WA

Sequim is a great place to spend the weekend since it’s the driest spot in western Washington, getting just 18” of rain each year. (You can thank the Olympic Rain Shadow for the dry weather.) We would walk Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge, which is home to more than 250 species of endangered birds, fish, and mammals.

There is a great campground just above the spit without hookups but a great place to watch the ships pass by.

We happened to be here for the Lavender Festival and enjoyed a bike ride along the water and found a great farmer's market with lots to take back with us.

We could return here and spend much more time. When we rode our bikes along the Discovery Trail and ended up In town with a flat tire, so many people would stop and visit with us. We met several couple at a downtown coffee shop that had moved from Colorado.