Category: Parks

More Pioneer Park

When I posted twoshots of Pioneer Memorial Park earlier this month someone asked to see more of the park. Today and tomorrow I’ll do just that. Above is a shot along a semi-circular drive that takes visitors in and out of this little 2.5 acre gem. The rhodies were spectacular when I visited, a real treat.

There’s a small building in the park. It and the grounds are run by the Sequim Prairie Garden Club, which uses it for their annual spring plant sale. They also rent it for local events. Two people were using another nearby picnic table when I was there. It’s a beautiful spot to settle down for a visit and enjoy these beautifully manicured grounds on a nice spring day.

The days of bees and roses

The wild nootka roses are beginning to bloom again. For anyone fond of the adage, “stop and smell the roses” this is cause for celebration. Their scent is classic, heavenly rose. But my human nose wasn’t the only thing enjoying the roses. This bee was having a field day. It was lingering, almost lounging. If it could have rolled in the pollen I think it would have. And if I’d have been able to turn it into a cartoon, the thought bubble would say – with a French accent – “Oh, ma cherie! It has been so long! My heart has ached for the beauty of your soft petals and the sweetness of your pollen! At last! We are together again!” or, you know, something roughly like that.

And which makes me wonder: did you know that only female bees collect pollen?

Pioneer Memorial Park

Pioneer Memorial Park is located on East Washington Street, along the main drag of Sequim. It’s a small park – 2.5 acres – but it offers a head-snapping view for anyone driving by in spring when it pops out in a riot of blossoms and dazzling spring color. It’s an unexpected wow after a long winter.

The park site was a cemetery at the turn of the last century and was closed in 1914. Human remains were moved and eventually the Sequim Prairie Garden Club took over the site which by then was neglected and overgrown. The club presently has a 99 year lease – until 2051. A small clubhouse at the park is available for rentals and is the site of the club’s popular spring plant sale.

Winter light

I may have posted a view of this spot before. It’s part of my regular walking route at Dungeness Recreation Area. It regularly grabs me because it’s so nicely situated to catch slices of light in the late afternoon and early evening. During winter it’s particularly nice to emerge from the nearby forested area and see the light radiating across this part of the trail ahead.

Sequim's Olympiad

There’s a small, open structure off the main road into Carrie Blake Park. Inside it is a bronze bust of Sequim’s claim to Olympic fame. Native son Matt Dryke claimed a gold medal at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Dryke has bragging rights as an International Skeet Shooting Champion and world record holder.

Here’s the enclosure.

Judging by letters to the editor in the local paper there are plenty of strong feelings on both sides of gun control. I guess it reminded me that I wanted to have a shot of Matt, a sport shooter. A camera is my weapon of choice. I’ll leave the debate to others with the hope that cool, sane heads will prevail.