July 5 we drive north to Edmonds, WA to get the ferry across Puget Sounds. We follow the ferry signs and then there’s a detour which didn’t make any sense at all. They want to us to climb a 12% grade hill, stop at the top and then make a sharp right turn! Not gonna happen. Backed down the road and used our Kentucky Windage to find the road we thought they wanted us on…Yup – we’re in the ferry lineup – yea! 30 minute shuttle and we’re in Kingston. Took highway 104 and crossed the Hood Canal on the “floating bridge.” Around the Olympic NF and then into Sequim! Found the Elks and got set up. Got the bike out and got muffins for breakfast and had supper at a Mexican Restaurant. Not many choices here in Sequim. To bed early.
Up really early and drive from Sequim Elks where our RV is and drive 20 minutes to Port Angeles where we catch the ferry to Victoria, Vancouver Island, BC. Be there at 7 AM for 8:15 AM ferry departure. Board at 7:45 am
Ferry lineup in Port Angeles
Beautiful Olympic Mountains as we leave Port Angeles
Jerry snoozes as we cross the Strait of Juan de Fuca. I ate a delicious bowl of Ivars’ famous Clam Chowder. Yum!
Arrive at 10:30 AM and go through customs and drive through Victoria North to Sidney.
Customs lineup as we debark
Victoria – beautiful flowers and majestic buildings. I haven’t been here since 1962!
How often do you see a sign advertising Murphy Beds?
On our way to Sidney. In Sidney, saw a sign for a business: FLUSH – Bathroom Essentials! Funny.
Sidney is a neat, tidy, lovely little town.
Free wifi so stopped at the Woodshed and checked email, etc. and had a delicious beer and pizza.
Mall next to the Woodshed. The flowers up here in the northwest are so spectacular!
Drive to Swartz Bay to board the ferry to Pender – a 45 minute ride. Our ship is The Queen of Cumberland. Bumper sticker on the ferry to Pender. They are laid back.
One of the many San Juan Islands.
Our host, Ian, was on the same ferry from Swartz Bay to Pender so we had a nice visit on the ride.
Following Ian to their home on North Pender.
Relaxing dinner and evening catching up with them. Hadn’t seen them since we spent a week in Abbeville, LA and met them in Nov of 2010.
On Sunday after a yummy breakfast, they took us around the island sightseeing. We stopped at Brooks Point Regional Park and walked a short shady path to the beach.
Spotted a bright purple starfish!
And a seal mom and pup. I was too slow with the camera and the pup dove into the water before I could get a photo.
Jerry, Ian and Vicki enjoy the warm sun and cool breezes as I take pictures.
Lunch was ice cream at the local shopping area called Driftwood. Really yummy ice cream! Mine was Mango! RG has me hooked on mango!
Back to their home to sit on the deck and chit chat. Then to the Cafe at Hope Bay for 6:15 dinner.
Ian built this entrance for them. Nice young couple, Rob and Amanda own it. Amanda is an amazing chef! Delicious food!
Took the scenic route back to their home. Stopped at Magic Lake across the road from their home. Pretty in the setting sun!
Monday was relax day. Jerry amused himself and one of the cats…
Vicki made us a delicious dinner with local Prawns.
Tuesday up and “attem” early with ferry at 9:30…be there at 8:30 to line up.
Stopped again at Sidney on the way from Swartz Bay to Victoria. Had several hours to kill, so shopped at Captiol Iron, which was a glorified general store with really wonderful kitchen accessories and lots of other items such as clothing, camping equipment, and bathroom stuff. Had lunch at a cafe in the same little strip mall, did email using Safeway free wifi. Then drove to Victoria to the ferry. Through customs.
Scenes from the Coho Ferry as we leave Victoria on the way back to Port Angeles.
Rowing club.
Tour boats – so cute! Lots of them running around the bay. Also sea planes landing and taking off.
Was foggy, windy and rough on the way back.
But as we came back in to Port Angeles, the Olympic mountains greeted us once again and the water calmed.
Stopped in Port Angeles at Next Door Gastropub. Sat at a high table for two right on the sidewalk in the sun. Had a beer and sandwiches. Really gourmet! I got my Dungeness Crab! A real treat! Home by 7 PM. A wonderful long weekend visit with wonderful friends.
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