The Push North



Got d' Fever at Port Townsend 

After cruising numerous times over the years through the San Juan’s, Gulf Islands, and northern B.C., we anticipate making speedy progress northward, stopping for short stays in order to coincide with reservations at Haida Gwaii around June 1^st.  Of course boaters are always ready to change plans and reservations due to weather conditions.  Happy to be on our way, we departed Seattle around 2pm on 

Victorian Port Townsend

May 16^th and headed up Admiralty Inlet to Port Townsend where we had a lovely dinner at one of our favorite restaurants, the Fountain Café.  We always enjoy walking around this Victorian seaport listed on the National Register of Historic Sites.  One can’t help but appreciate the treasures in this town filled with buildings from the 1800’s and Victorian homes perched high on a hill overlooking the town below.  It seems such a shame that this town did not become a major shipping port as once hoped.  Settlers first came to Port Townsend in 1851 and by the late 1800’s the town was a well-known seaport.  Unfortunately when the Depression hit and the rail lines ended on the east side of Puget Sound, many people left the area.  

The Fountain, Port Townsend

It wasn’t until the 1970’s that the town reinvented itself as a tourist town refurbishing its historic buildings.  Visitors flock here every summer not only for the Victorian treasures, but also for the historic WWI Fort Worden State Park and the Point Wilson Lighthouse.  

Point Wilson Lighthouse, Port Townsend

Port Townsend continues to be a popular seaport for pleasure boats, offering two main marinas, public wharfs, and an annual wooden boat festival.  We had a pleasant stay at Point Hudson Marina, refreshed and ready to go the following morning.