Port Townsend – One of the coolest small towns in America?

Harbor Port Townsend. RV over back of building

Port Townsend was recommended to us by a volunteer ranger we met on our overnight hike. She told us it was a lovely Victorian Port worth spending a night in. We took her advice and were glad we did. Arriving mid-afternoon – badly in need of laundry facilities after 9 nights dry camping – we drove up without reservation to a marina in town which also had RV places. We had the choice of  a beach side spot or one $17 cheaper just behind it. We took the cheaper one gambling the front one would remain empty giving us uninterrupted views – score –no one came! After completing the domestic chores of the washing, vacuuming the RV and showering we headed out to see the town of Port Townsend. 

We loved it (Terri we kept thinking of you as we wandered around). It was full of bookshops,

antique shops and other quirky shops. It’s quite an arty town and another ‘known’ vortex site, we think it’s the energy of the culture that’s being felt. As it was quite late the main goal was to find some dinner. Wow what a choice, there were lots of good looking cafes and restaurants with menus that looked very appealing.  The first place we tried was booked out but the second found us a table. After Duck with Amaretto Cherries and Risotto, Braised Lamb Shanks and some great fish and chips the Waller Family was feeling well satisfied. On the walk home we dropped into the town retro ice cream parlour complete with an old fashioned Giraffe porch glider. We all fell into bed that night  well pleased

Old Porch Glider

Next morning there was a light drizzle – summer in Washington is a relative term.After a morning coffee at a very popular cafe we set off for

a walk around the town suggested in the booklet we had found. In the late 1800’s it was thought that Port Townsend would become the major port on the Western Seaboard. In response to this the town boomed in the 1890s building 5 banks and lots of lovely Victorian houses. Five years later it was all over. Nowadays it is a tourist town that is a pleasure to visit. There are loads of antique type shops that are fascinating to browse through – almost like museums with bits and pieces from all periods (Katie there were amazing amounts of stuff we thought you would like).

Jensen anyone?

Rob struck ‘man gold’ with a 1917 Garage with all the motoring paraphernalia you would ever want to see or buy. There were all sorts of cars for sale at what looked like affordable prices (a 1952 MG TC 12000 miles, totally original @ $21000 or a Jensen Healy for $6000). Fiona’s Dad would have been in heaven looking at everything. We resisted buying any cars but did find a lovely bookshop where we purchased a small stack of books. All this combined with some good coffee and yes we agree – one of the coolest small towns in America – we loved it.

Mac - look for the Norton on the engine.

By lunch time we were first in line for the ferry. Being an RV we were loaded first and had an unobstructed view out the front of the ferry. 30 minutes later we drove off onto Whidbey Island and onto Deception Point State Park where we planned to stay the night. 

We arrived at Deception Point the evening of the Independence day weekend with no booking. Lucky once again we managed to get one of the last RV sites. Arriving there we were pleased that the rain had stopped and decided to unload the bikes and go for a ride as there were some multiuse paths. We set off to see the bridge from the Island to the mainland. The ride was quite hilly and Fiona surprised herself by nearly riding up a very steep hill. All that exercise must be strengthening some muscles! After a good look around we rode down the steep hill and along some quite technical single track down to the lake where Symi and Rob found some excellent skimming stones and spend a pleasurable half hour skimming.

Rob planning some more riding!

Deception Point Bridge 

Synchronized Skimming 

For those of you suffering from a lack of mountain bike posting - Whistler is coming! For those of you who are not Fiona is planning an alternate post on Whistler.