Author: Kay

Best of the Peninsula – Hearing Aids and Hot Dogs

Voting in the Best of the Peninsula poll conducted by the Peninsula Daily News features many “best of” opportunities for businesses on the Olympic Peninsula. Today’s winner, Costco, offers one stop shopping in two categories: hearing aids and hot dogs.

I’ve not explored the hearing aid department but have dined on Costco hot dogs in California, Oregon, and Washington.  For $1.50 you can’t beat a Costco hot dog — the ones in Sequim are a good tube steak fix. And I suppose you can enjoy a quiet lunch at Costco while you wait for your hearing aid to arrive. . .

Then and Now – Red-Flowering Currant

Here is one of the early harbingers of spring in this area, the Red-Flowering Currant. It begins to burst forth with these bright blossoms as early as late March. These photos were taken in April and early May this year.

The blossoms are showy and attract hummingbirds and butterflies. These shrubs are a nice addition to a natural landscape and the Clallam County Conservation District sells them as part of their annual Native Plant Sale. Although they are reputed to have persistent berries, I haven’t noticed any in the many plants around the Dungeness Recreation Area. This is what a typical plant looks like now that fall has taken hold.

Some of the shrubs have a lot of bronze coloring, some are various shades of green, and some of them look battered and moth-eaten.

Point Wilson Lighthouse

The Point Wilson Lighthouse is located on the grounds of Fort Worden State Park and marks the convergence of the Strait of Juan De Fuca and Admiralty Inlet.

The lighthouse, activated in December, 1879,  was originally located on top of the lightkeeper’s house. It was moved to its current position in 1913 when the present structure was completed. The Coast Guard operates the lighthouse. It was automated in 1976 and is closed to the public.

If you’re interested in lighthouses, check back in a few days. I’ve just completed a week’s stay as a “volunteer lighthouse keeper” at the New Dungeness Lighthouse in Sequim and will post pictures and impressions from my visit.

Fort Worden Officer's Row

Fort Worden, located next to Port Townsend in Washington, was established in the late 1890s. Along with Forts Casey and Flagler, its purpose was to prevent hostile fleets from reaching targets such as the Bremerton Naval Yard and the cites of Seattle, Tacoma, and Everett. Construction of the fort began in 1897 and continued in one form or another until the fort was closed in 1953.

The Fort Worden Officer’s Row housing looks onto an open parade ground. The buildings were constructed between 1904 and 1915. To the far left, at the end of the row, is Admiralty Inlet.

Fort Worden Officer’s Row

Fort Worden, located next to Port Townsend in Washington, was established in the late 1890s. Along with Forts Casey and Flagler, its purpose was to prevent hostile fleets from reaching targets such as the Bremerton Naval Yard and the cites of Seattle, Tacoma, and Everett. Construction of the fort began in 1897 and continued in one form or another until the fort was closed in 1953.

The Fort Worden Officer’s Row housing looks onto an open parade ground. The buildings were constructed between 1904 and 1915. To the far left, at the end of the row, is Admiralty Inlet.

Fort Worden State Park

I love any excuse to go to Port Townsend, a neat town with an interesting maritime history that is about a 45 minute drive from Sequim. My boat lover husband often finds reasons that take us to ship’s chandleries or places like Edensaw Woods, a high level danger zone for anyone interested in wood or tools. But I digress. . .

Our latest trip found us exploring Fort Worden State Park which is next door to Port Townsend. The Fort is part of a network of early fortifications that guarded the nautical entrance to Puget Sound.  The park is now used as a conference center with accommodations in historic military housing as well as camping and has a beautiful view of the Admiralty Inlet. I’ll share more views of the Fort Worden area in the next several days.