Sequim, WA

Copalis, WA - Sequim WA
5/31/24 - 6/2/24

Miles Traveled    183
Trip Total           5155
Travel Time        4:29

States visited: FL, GA, AL, MS, LA, TX, NM, AZ, UT, NV, CA, OR, Washington

We started our trip to Sequim by heading out to get fuel.  Normally we try to get fuel along our route but logistically it made more sense get fuel before we left. We left the car at the campground for a quick fuel run.  Fuel on the west coast has been much higher than we are use to.  Chevron has been our best option but they are not RV friendly at all.  Chevron has a special going on, if you join their "Loyalty" program you get $1.00 off per gallon for your first three fill's.  It has been worth the hassle!

After fueling up we went back to hook-up the car before getting back on Highway 101 and heading to the Sequim Elks Lodge.  Other than rain it was a easy ride, and I think all four of us are more than ready to be done with Highway 101!!!   Sequim Elks has 18 RV sites with water and electric. They also  allowed us to sign Mark & Karen in as our guest.  Not all Elks allow guest RV's but so far we have been very lucky!  While we were signing in they told us that they were having a pork chop dinner at 5:00pm.    Dinner was delicious!  During dinner one of the local members suggested that we head to Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park, but to go right after dinner.   Sequim lies in the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountain Range, they recieve less than 16" of rain a year, but guess what the forecast calls for rain the rest of the time we are there!

The drive up the Olympic Mountains to Hurricane Ridge was awesome, each ridge we passed was more spectacular.  In addition to the many curves and twist, most with no guard rails, we also had to keep our eyes out for the deer.  Dusk was quickly approaching and the deer were constantly running across the road. Once we reached Hurricane Ridge we quickly agreed it was worth the drive.  Once again the view was incredible and the photos do not do it justice.  Both the parking lot and fields around the ridge were teaming with deer. Beside seeing people feed the deer, it was obvious they are use to being fed.  Anytime someone opened the back of their car, deer would walk up to the car looking for food.

Saturday rather then go back to the park in the rain, we took a "underground" historical tour of Port Angeles.   Port Angeles was built of the water front and major development started around 1850.  Many buildings were built on piers over the beaches and mudflats, and dropped their waste through holes in the floor. The town was plagued with two major problems, raw sewage dropped from buildings onto the beaches, and buildings flooding during heavy storms.  In 1914 the town built concrete walls and filled the area behind them raising the level of the town.  What at the time had been the store fronts instantly became "basements" behind the concrete wall.  The visitor center runs tours through the towns where we able to tour the few remaining "basements" and see the wall that was built in 1914.  They also told us much of the towns history. The are also has several murals throughout the town depicting the towns history. The largest mural has a ship in it, that no matter where you stand and look at it, the bow of the ship always appears to point directly at you.  Also if you stand next to the kids in the mural and have your picture taking it looks like the kids are not in the mural but standing next to you.

Sunday Angel Karen and I took a quick trip to a local Lavender farm.  Greg the owner of the farm gave us a very in depth tour of the 3 acre farm.  Him and his wife own and work the farm.  They retired and purchased the farm three years ago.  (Buying and running a farm, does not sound like retirement!)  It is still early in the season, and none of the lavender plants were blooming, they will start blooming the end of June and July is the highlight of their season.  You could tell Greg is very proud of the farm and it is a labor of love.  

After touring the farm we headed up to the Elks Lodge were Angel and Karen kicked Mark and my but in shuffleboard.

Monday morning we are heading to another Elks Lodge this one is in Bremerton Washington.