Port Townsend, WA

We moved to Port Townsend located right by  Port Townsend Bay.  We set up in our campsite and then walked into town and enjoyed seeing all the old buildings they have saved from destruction, most from the 1880s.  Many of those are quite ornate. The town is one of the best-preserved Victorian-era seaports in the western U.S. 

Our first jaunt the next day was to look at one of the most flamboyant mansions uptown along the bluff, the Ann Starrett Mansion which was built in 1889.  It was built by the town’s leading contractor as his wife’s wedding gift.  The Queen Anne Victorian home is now a restored hotel with lavish period appointments, a spiral staircase, and a four-story tower complete with frescoes.  Reading reviews written by people who have stayed in the hotel, it is in need of many repairs.  FYI:  it is for sale! 

The campground we are in looks across deep blue Admiralty Inlet, dotted with sailboats and ferries.  How nice to be able to walk in to town.  It is not unusual to see deer walking on people’s lawns.













Many homes have a railed in area on the roof known as a widow’s walk.  They were usually on the homes of sea captains.  When the wife expected her husband’s ship home, she would go on the roof searching for it on the horizon.















We had  dinner at a great restaurant recommended by the campground manager.  Mike fell asleep within 5 minutes of returning to the trailer after sitting down in the recliner.  Eating well makes one tired!









Fort Worden was our next stop.  In 1902 it was a military fortification which has been turned in to a state park.  The commanding officer’s quarters is open for tours and a barracks serves as the Puget Sound Coast Artillery Museum, telling the story of early Pacific coastal fortifications.  While there we also drove to the Point Wilson Lighthouse which is ‘off limits since it has been automated. 


We are now in Gig Harbor, WA.  Gig Harbor is one of several cities and towns that claim to be "the gateway to the Olympic Peninsula".  Due to its close access to several state and city parks, and historic waterfront that includes boutiques and fine dining, it has become a popular tourist destination.

From here we move just outside of Mt. Ranier National Park, where there is no Wi-Fi. We'll relate our adventures to you once we again have service.

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