Send a postcard from Sequim
As we leave the house and drive to town- there's cows to the right and
retirement homes to the left. This has become a very familiar street to walk on; it is only a few minutes' hike to town.
Sequim is a semi-rural community and there are
sheep, cows, goats, llamas, and other livestock at home here...as well
as golf courses and marinas for the active humans, too. The winds of change are blowing through the town. A large Wal-mart and, across the street, a mall with Home Depot and Albertson's grocery store as anchors are under construction at the west end of Washington Street (our main street throught town), Gardening is wonderful; Sequim is in a little sunshine hole in the Puget Sound area which is normally a cloudy/rainy region. Sequim-mers have been hard at work creating little spots of color along the street, and the hanging baskets will soon go up.
On any map of the area you'll notice the Dungeness Spit; it is part of the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge, a haven for sea birds, and a natural protector of the local waters. It is a protected piece of ground, totally non-commercial. At the end of the spit is the New Dungeness Light House, not only a beacon, but also a bed and breakfast- but be advised that there is at least a two year wait for reservations. And there's a long five mile hike to get to it. On foot. Only. The entrance to the Refuge is accessible by vehicle, and there's camping, reservation only, but the hike to the lighthouse is rather daunting. Every step outbound means one must be made later to return.
This place is a pearl in the necklace of National Refuges, and birdlovers will enjoy seeking the several species nesting here.
The first impulse for us retired Alaskans is to plunk down
every possible plant which catches the eye in the different shops;
once we stop and take a deep breath we'll organize this little garden and
reluctantly pass up some of the beauties. A legacy from the former owners is this cluster of
beautiful tulips.
More... much much more to follow in the weeks ahead. There's so much to explore in this little community.
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© Helen Hille and deebrrs; 2004
updated April 2, 2004