Sunday, May 25, 2008
Sequim Town News May 2008
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Hiking at Sol Duc Hot Springs
After our last post about our visit to the Sol Duc Hot Springs we wanted to add some valuable information for those who want to do the same right now. When in the area, most visitors also want to get some hiking done once they entered and paid the admission fee to the Olympic National Park. We are lucky our Golden Eagle Pass - you got to obtain it at the Park's Visitors Center - allows us entrance to all the National Parks in the US. Some nice benefit for being older! For those, who want to read more about hiking and camping in the Olympic National Park, I found the Olympic Park National Camping Page most helpful. OK let's get to our recommendations when visiting the Sol Duc Hot Springs right now.
When you want to do the hike to the Sol Duc Falls right now, don't take the trail from the Campgrounds A Loop (A Loop just opened last weekend when we were there) and B Loop (was still closed last week). The trail needs a lot of work done to remove the fallen trees and winter debris. This is currently not a trail for family hiking. If you want to walk, take the street to the trailhead. There is no heavy traffic or just drive your car to the parking for Sol Duc Falls. It's a 0.8 mile walk from there. There was still one big tree laying across the trail when we went, which made it hard on those people who are not in athletic condition but one can walk around it.This area is offering lots of longer hikes to mountain lakes. Overnight camping is possible. Be aware that the trails can be buried under snow which often lingers into late summer. Route finding skills may be necessary. When we asked at Solc Duc Hot Springs Resort about the access to Lover's Lane (6 mile loop) and Mink Lake (2.6 mile one way), we were seriously discouraged and advised not to do those hikes yet. You may want to call the Wilderness Information Center 360-565-3100 for trail conditions before you head out. We tried our cell phone at different locations in the Park and had no connection whatsoever. So, don't rely on your cell phone for emergency situations.
The Sol Duc Hot Springs RV Park worked perfect for us. And the price was right at $25/nt. You got to have a self-contained unit. There are no showers or restrooms on the parking ground but water and electric plug-ins come with your lot. However, it's just a short walk to the hot springs with the cleanest showers and bathrooms - everything gets cleaned 4x a day! - we have ever seen. Pool hours are 9am - 8pm at $11/ adult, children 4 - 12 yrs $8 and seniors (62 yrs and older) $8. You will get a wristband for the day, so you can walk in and out of the pool area at your convenience. For those who are not coming with an RV, cabins with kitchen $172 (2 pers.)/nt. and w/o kitchen $141 (2 pers.)/nt. can be rented. Not cheap but they are very nice. And remember you pay for a unique location! We will be back at the Sol Duc Hot Springs soon!Sequim Vacation Related Articles
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Monday, May 19, 2008
Visit Sol Duc Hot Springs
Well we dusted off the motor-home from its long winter hibernation and took our first trip of 2008. Maybe motor-home is too strong of a description, its more a 19' camper van with all the conveniences of home just a bit more compact. We have had a long winter here in the Pacific Northwest, so spring is a bit late and the nights are cold, but last week the weather changed for the better and we got the urge to travel.
With the price of gas we didn't want to travel far and we only had 5 days. Of course on the Olympic Peninsula there are many beautiful places within a 2 hour drive too get away to and we chose the Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort, its located 50 miles west of Sequim and then 12 miles off Highway 101 in the heart of the Olympic National Forest.
We paid $25 per night with water and electric and $8.00 a day for us old guys to use the hot springs pools and facilities. We arrived late afternoon on Wednesday and after setting up the camper decided to take a walk, eat dinner and jump in the hot pools the next day. That night the electric came in handy as the night was a bit on the cold side and our heater from home keep us nice and toasty.
The next morning we went for a walk and then discovered the pleasure of relaxing in the hot mineral pools and then diving into a cold fresh water pool fed by the Sol Duc River. We spent the rest of that day except for a nap in the afternoon hanging out by the pools as the weather was warm and languid. We met quite an interesting group of people around the pools. Families from many east European countries on holiday found our neck of the woods as did many folks from around the state of Washington.
The next day we decided to first hit the hot springs pools and then take a hike up toward the Sol Duc Falls. There is a trail leading from our RV park through the forest that's about 2 miles and a 45min hike on a normal day. We started hiking and maybe got a fourth of the way there when the trail ran out crisscrossed by huge fallen trees and many patches of snow still 2 feet deep in spots. Lucky or unlucky for us, Brad the life guard from the Hot Springs Resort, came up behind us and talked us into continuing to climb trees and slough through snow to make it to the falls. There were a few times when I began to wonder if the trail still existed, though we finally made to the falls trail head and the falls were spectacular and the hike was an adventure to remember.
We could have driven to the falls trail head in 10 minutes and after that hike we were lucky to find a couple from Bainbridge Island who gave us a ride back to our home away from home. Thanks again, Janet and Larry. I tell you the hot pools never felt so go as after that hike, we spent the rest of the day lying around and relaxing. We headed home the next day, it's amazing how a short 3-day vacation close to home can make you feel. But of course we are lucky we live on the beautiful Olympic Peninsula with the most spectacular countryside and lots of fun festivals!p.s.
Brad, the life guard from Sol Duc Resort, actually took a photo of us at the Sol Duc Waterfalls. We hope he will email it to us some day for including it here on our Sequim Town blog. Thanks Brad for guiding us through the bushes, over and under fallen trees and through the snow! We will hopefully see you at the Hot Springs on our next visit, which is planned for the near future.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Sequim Irrigation Festival 2008 Photos
Before starting our new post about our visit to the Sol Duc Hot Spring Resort, we have to show you our photos from this year's 2008 Sequim Irrigation Festival. The festival had been a big success as usual and even Sequim weather showed sunshine for the Grand Parade on Saturday. We had the best seats for Friday night fireworks at Carrie Blake Park, right on our balcony. I took some photos but was always pushing the button too late. Too bad the firework photos did not come out the way I expected it but most important the firework itself was a great display of colors and shapes on the Sequim night sky. Hope I will be more experienced next year to take firework photos.
Well, here is our display of photos of the Grand Parade of the 113th Sequim Irrigation Festival. Washington Street was all lined up with lots of chairs and families, old and yound, cheering to festival participants. We noticed the same enthusiasm and excitement by participants and spectators alike as we saw the last 2 years of our moving to Sequim. We love living at small town Sequim with big town amenities. Our premier location between water and Olympic National Park makes Sequim a top vacation destination for hiking, biking, berrie picking and just relaxing. Plan your Sequim Vacation today.

Thursday, May 08, 2008
Sequim Vacation Rental open for Irrigation Festival
For all those, who come from Seattle for celebrating with us our 113th Sequim Irrigation Festival, our fully equipped 1 Bd/1Ba vacation apartment at peaceful location, with walking distance to QFC and Carrie Blake Park, has still a vacancy for this weekend. Take a short weekend Sequim vacation and stay at our 'Bell Hill View' Sequim Vacation Rental...2 nights at $85/nt. 1 Night at $99/nt. Tax is included. Call us at 360-504-1157!
We just received the May 2008 Senior Center News. It's amazing what trips and tours are available for this month. Here are a few dates which seem really fun to attend:
Tuesday May 13, Olympic National Park, Sol Duc Hot Springs $35/member, $50/non
Wednesday May 21, Tacoma's Three Meseums, Glass, Art and Washington State Historical $50/member, $65/non
Friday May 23, Brinnon, Whitney Gardens $20/member, $35 non
Here are a few Sequim Senior Center Social Events you might want to plan your vacation around:
May 20: Parents' Lunch
July 3: 4th of July BBQ
July 16: Aloha Luau Dinner
More information from our our Sequim Town blog and of course the Sequim Senior Center website down the road.
Stay tuned for photos from this year's Sequim Irrigation Festival parade!
Tags: Best of Sequim, Sequim Irrigation Festival 2008
Monday, May 05, 2008
Sequim Irrigation Festival -113 years old.
You may have missed the beginnings of the Sequim Irrigation Festival however there is much more to come.. On May 8th & 9th, the Funtastic carnival begins at 5pm on the Sequim High School green field.
On Friday May 9th you can attend the Crazy Days breakfast at the Elks Lodge on Port Williams Rd starting at 7am. Not sure of the cost on this one however businesses and individuals come in costume and perform skits so should be lots of fun and a breakfast to boot.
Friday May 9th also has the Logging Truck and Tractor Pull. This is an event for all ages featuring axe throwing,pole climbing, lawn mower races, tractor pull and more. Plus food stands.
Hang around after the logging show for the Fireworks display at 9:30pm
Saturday May 10 is the best Salmon Barbecue on the Olympic Peninsula, being served from 11am to 6pm at the Trinity United Church next to Carrie Blake Park.
May 10th also features the Super Cruzz Parade and Car Show. The parade starts at 11am down Washington St and the car show is in the Walmart parking lot.
Last but not least to round out the week is the 113th Irrigation Parade with entries from all over the Peninsula and beyond. Get your family together and find your best spot along Washington St, it starts at noon and is good fun.
Hopefully we will have some that fine weather I mention in my previous post.
Enjoy the festivities.....Keoki
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Sequim weather-It can't be beat!
This a post about the weather in Sequim and the reason I'm writing this is because its raining outside and unfriendly.
Now don't get me wrong I love Sequim including the weather but every now and then the clouds come in and just hang around making for a grey day and on occasion we have rain. That's the kind of day I like to sit in my nice warm house and read a good book or as now write a post.
The one thing nice about Sequim weather is how mellow it is, no SEVERE weather for us, oh no.
When I sit at home watching CNN and see all the SEVERE weather that hits other parts of America and the world I say to myself "lucky you live in Sequim".
We don't have tornadoes, hurricanes, floods or extreme cold or heat. Sure we might have a grey day once in a while but I've never been hurt by a cloud and as far as rain goes we average less than 15 inches a year.
In the winter we have very few days that are below freezing and in the summer we have hardly any days that get up to 90 degrees. If it sounds to you that I like Sequim weather, you are right, I don't know of anywhere in our country with a more consistant weather.
Check out our post on fall weather in Sequim.
Enjoy your weather wherever you are.....Keoki
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Book your Sequim Vacation Rental Now
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Best Things to Do in Sequim - Hurricane Ridge
When we came to Sequim in September 2005 for our 12-night Sequim vacation to check out the town for moving there, we not only checked out 'Sequim Homes for Sale' but also visited Hurricane Ridge, which is on top of the best things to do in Sequim. It was quite an experience for us people from warm Hawaii. The first snow of the season made it even more impressive. We were not the only visitors who had not expected snow so early in fall but hey these are the Olympic Mountains with hurricane Ridge elevation of 5240ft. A lot of the tourists showed up in shorts and short sleeves. We were at least in long pants and wore anoraks, which allowed us to stay longer and enjoy the spectacular views! The below photos are all from yesterday!
However, one thing can get in the way...it's the weather on Hurricane Ridge, which can be quite stormy. Why else the name?! That's why always make sure to call and check the 24-hr Olympic National Park Road and Weather Information Line at 360-565-3131 to make sure the weather has not shut down everything. Visit the Hurricane Ridge website for information on ski lifts, ticket prices and more.












