Port Townsend - ArtilleryHill - Fort Worden

Despite multiple stays at Fort Worden, we had never been to the top of Artillery Hill or visited any of the gun emplacements. One evening after dinner we decided to ride the bikes to the fortifications at the top of the hill.

Fort Worden was used for filming the 1982 movie "An Officer and a Gentleman"

Overlook part of Fort Worden on the way to the top of Artillery Hill

We were in our bikes' lowest gear on the way to the top.  We took a couple of rest stops on the way and enjoyed the great views.

While construction of Fort Worden began in 1897, these gun emplacements were started in 1903.

Today trees block what used to be an unobstructed view.

Sunset on top of Artillery Hill.

The command post for the guns.

The bike ride down the hill was coasting all the way.  Instead of backtracking, we went passed Battery Tolles and through a thickly forested area on the way back to camp.

Live well, Laugh often, Love much

Port Townsend - Farmers Market

The Saturday Farmers Market in Uptown Port Townsend was a delight. I understand now why it is considered one of the top ten in Washington. Locally grown produce, a wonderful variety of artists and craft persons, and lots of great food and beverages to try. Laura had salmon for lunch, while I had wood-fired oven pizza.

The wood-fired oven is an old buoy.  They served up some great tasting pizza on a thin crust.  I would definitely go back.

The focus on locally grown and locally made helps to set this farmer's market apart from others.  It had a good variety, combined with just an overall buzz that made it feel real good.

Laura buying an apron

Laura showing off her Farmers Market purchase from a 9-year-old girl who hand selected each element and described to Laura how to preserve the flowers. Laura thought it was very charming.

Laura practicing still life photography.

Home Is Where You Park It

After the Farmers Market, we moved the motorhome from Beach site 1 to Forest Campground site 67. While I had grilled pizza (my choice), Laura grilled herself a steak.

Laura modeling one of the two aprons she purchased at the Farmers Market.

We'd had a fun day experiencing some new things at Port Townsend.  As we continued our nomadic campsite adventure, we found that each site had something different to offer in terms of which parts of Fort Worden we wanted to explore.

Live well, Laugh often, Love much

Port Townsend - Boat Yard

One of the many attractions for me on this RV trip is the fact that Port Townsend is famous in the Northwest for hosting the Annual Wooden Boat Festival, so it's not an accident that the region has a lot of craft persons familiar with restoring classic boats. I love walking the boatyard at Boat Haven (less than two miles from our campsite at Point Hudson Marina and RV Park) because of the variety of vessels to be viewed under repair. My seventeen years in Sea Scouts was aboard wooden boats, the biggest being sixty-three feet. The experience of restoring and maintaining these craft created my deep love of wooden boats.

YB-701 (circa 1987)

As I walked about the yard, much to my surprise I came upon proof that our modern Navy still employs wooden boats.  Here is the YB-701 under repair.  Originally built in 1987. Currently operating out of Keyport, WA, and assigned to the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division.

Westward (circa 1924)

The Westward is a famous circumnavigator and Pacific Rim cruiser built in 1924.  The classic lines are gorgeous, and the rounded stern is a piece of shipwright magic.

Major framing and planking work being performed on Westward.  Yes, that is concrete that has been poured into the bilge. 

Wells Gray (circa 1927)

Built in 1927, the Wells Gray (www.wells-gray.com) has been completely restored.  Do visit the website, because it is a beautiful piece of floating furniture.

Hawaiian Chieftain (circa 1988)

Although built of steel, the Hawaiian Chieftain is a pretty craft to see in person.  Operated by the Grays Harbor Historical Seaport Authority, owners of the Lady Washington tall ship, the vessel is used for education and sail training.

Port Townsend Shipwrights Co-Op

The P.T. Shipwrights Co-Op is famous for their skills, particularly with wooden boats.  I got to takes some photos of a restoration in progress.

Laura cringes every time I look at some neglected wooden boat.  I do love working on them and sailing and cruising them, but it can be a lot of work to maintain.

Live well, Laugh often, Love much