Washington Trip, July 13, Sequim--Day Two

July 13th:
I was up first.  Went outside to see the new day.  Off in the distance, I could hear howling wolves or coyotes, and hooting owls.  A hummingbird came over to check me out.  He hovered no further than three feet in front of my face for a few seconds, then flitted off.

When we all got up and ready, we had brunch at a popular (and expensive) restaurant known as  The Oak Table.  There was a wait to be seated.  The food was delicious and well worth the delay!  As we departed with full bellies, the sun was out and the day was growing warmer than any we had experienced so far!

After brunch, we drove to Port Townsend, which is on the northeast edge of the Olympic Peninsula on the Strait of Juan de Fuca (which splits the US from Canada).  In Port Townsend is Fort Worden, a long-ago military fort, now used as a nature area and education center.    We went to a beach area that also has concessions, the Marine Science Museum out on a pier.  The family headed to the museum/aquarium, while I stayed in the shade by the car with my rollator, just enjoying the nice weather and the scenery. 

When I go on these family excursions, it happens occasionally that I don't feel that I can do all of the walking required, even with my rollator.  (Depends on how I feel that day, the terrain, and the draw of the attraction.  Mother Nature doesn't adhere to the Americans with Disabilities Act.  Some places simply aren't accessible if one can't walk on unlevel ground, or for any distance!)  We use my handicapped parking placard to get as close to places as possible, but it is always 100% MY choice to make the effort or stay behind.  I always come prepared for these occasions.  I have my cell phone for communications and picture-taking, bring a book to read, and always have a puzzle book with me to occupy any potential down time.  The family and I have an understanding, of sorts, that I do not want to hold them back because of my physical limitations, and that I am perfectly okay with having them go off on an adventure for an hour or two while I stay behind at the car.  (If an "adventure" is going to take more than a couple of hours, I generally stay at home.  Again, my choice.)

It also occasionally happens that other people see an old lady all alone with a rollator in one place for an extended time, and worry that something is wrong.  This day was no exception.  I had been waiting, observing, and soaking up the day for about an hour in the shade outside of the car while my family was in the marine museum, when I noticed a young man--late 30s, early 40s, sporting a backpack--walk a good way across the parking lot near the beach to approach me.  He inquired after my well-being.  I explained that I was just waiting for family...that I was fine...that it was my choice to stay behind.  He was okay with that.  When I mentioned that I was on vacation from Indiana, he became a brief tour guide, suggesting local places to see, and explaining how things there, weather-wise, are different from the Midwest.  (I know!!)  I thanked him profusely for his concern and his information.  Just then, grandson Ryan came up beside me from the rear.  My family had arrived!  I slipped my arm around Ryan's back and said, "This is my baby grandson".  (My "baby" grandson who towers over me at 6' 5" !!)  You know, there are a lot of evil people in the world, but there are also a lot of people like the gentleman in the parking lot who care.  God bless them all!

I forget the order of things but here goes:

We also went to a wildlife museum on site on the other side of the road.  Since the family had already purchased tickets at the Marine Science Museum, I had to pay; HOWEVER, the delightful lady at the entrance "comped" my entrance fee.  This museum was all about the terrain, the wildlife (including orcas), and the way the info was presented was like a children's museum discovery method.  When we left, I bought a red hoodie that is way too big.  (It was on sale for a decent price.  It could shrink some, right?)

We drove through Fort Worden barracks area to near a trail that leads to Artillery Hill.  (The road to that place was closed.  One had to hike it, and it wasn't to be an easy hike.)  Meg, Denis, and Robin decided to try it, mostly to take pictures of old military defense installations, but Meg and Robin soon returned to the car.  Only Denis continued on.  Meanwhile, back at the car, Meg and Robin spied some deer grazing down by the barracks.  They went down the hill to take pictures of the deer. 

We went to the Point Wilson lighthouse, which is--or was--a Coast Guard site.  The place isn't open to tour.  (It is automated now.)  The day was waning, and, as is always the case, it was cooler and windier by the seaside.  Meg, Den, and Rob ventured to go over the hill to see the water, while Ryan and I stayed back at the car (to eat snacks!).  It was here, near the lighthouse, that I saw something I have never seen before.  Towering above a utility building was a tsunami warning device.  (I say "device" because it didn't look anything like the tornado warning sirens we have at home.)  Although there was no risk of a tsunami at that moment, it is still sobering to see.  I do so remember the Asian tsunami of 2003...

As we got close to the Guest House, and daylight was fading, we drove down to the seashore to see the Dungeness Spit.  (We were squeezing every bit of adventure out of every bit of daylight!!)  A "spit" is a marine feature that is basically a sandbar, but made in a particular way.  (Google it!)  This particular spit is 6.8 miles long, accessible only on foot and protected by the National Park Service.  The Dungeness Spit is one of the longest in the world--certainly worthy of seeing.  It was windy and quite cool, so we didn't stay long, but another visit to the spit was put on the rest of the agenda for our stay in Sequim.     

We returned to the Guest House and had a one-pot meal that Meg concocted.  Good thinking since we only had a one-burner hot plate!  It was a late meal but good.  Thereafter, we played Scattergories before crashing for the night.  Long day!!