Sequim Bay Yacht Club starts boating season

With spring being here and warmer weather approaching, Sequim Bay Yacht Club members are gearing up for boating season. On Saturday May 5th, the organization will host its annual Opening Day ceremony at 1:30pm at Sequim Bay 'John Wayne Marina'.

Yacht club members are calling on residents to dress in red, white and blue, pack a picnic lunch and come come and enjoy the annual parade kicking off boating season. Sequim Irrigation Festival Royalty are expected to participate as well. After the parade, the club will host traditional ceremonies at John Wayne Marina flagpole. Club officers will be in their uniforms and be enjoyed by a bagpiper. There will be a blessing of the fleet as well as the traditional firing of the cannon.

Seems like a lot of fun to us. See you at Sequim Bay John Wayne Marina on Saturday. The Sequimers

Tags: John Wayne Marina, Sequim, vacation, travel

Sequim Vacation and Sequim Area Sights

Dear Sequim visitors,

Today, we noticed that lots of visitors checked in last night at the rooms and the cottages of the Sequim West Inn where we are staying right now for our transition before we can move into our new Sequim town house. Good news it's supposed to happen soon, maybe even in 2 weeks, bad news that our current vacation rental cottage is at a very bad location, next to laundromat!

Even when it closes at 9:30pm, some awfully noisy generator comes on during sleeping hours. No sleeping without ear plugs possible. So, if you consider one of the fully equipped cottages at the Sequim West Inn for your next Sequim vacation, ask for a rental cottage on the left side, away from laundromat!

Anyway, with May looking around the corner - weather is nice and sunny today - Sequim gets busy with weekend visitors enjoying the great outdoors and all the fun activities Sequim and area have to offer. Here are some great Sequim vacation links for your next visit to Sequim, maybe for the coming up Sequim Irrigation Festival.

Olympic National Park:
The beauty of the Olympic National Park is overwhelming and attracts many hikers and visitors each year. From mountains to ocean, rainforest to waterfall. Here are a few photos from our visits to the sights we visited in the Olympic National Park.
This photo is taken on our Sequim vacation in fall of 2006. We got a big surprise on our visit to Hurricane Ridge when experiencing the first snow with our visit to the Olympic National Park Hurricane Ridge

One of our first trips with our little RV motorhome (more van than home), we visited Lake Crescent and area for some easy hiking on a 2-day stay. Summer season was already over and the sandy beach on Lake Crescent was empty and only hikers like us were still roaming the woods and trails Lake Crescent.

On another visit to the Olympic National Park, we combined our trip to the Hoh Rainforest with the Sol Duc Springs
Sol Duc Hot Springs
The Hoh Rain Forest

Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge
The Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge is located near Sequim in Clallam County, Washington, on the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The 631 acres of the refuge include Dungeness Spit, Graveyard Spit, and portions of Dungeness Bay and Harbor.

Dungeness Golf and Country Club
A scenic course with the Olympic Mountains in the background. Par 72. Features a unique crab bunker. Open to the public.

John Wayne Marina
Enjoy boating at this lovely marina built on land donated by the film star who often vacationed in Sequim.

Fishing and Crabbing
Fishing, both fresh and salt water, is a primary attraction on the upper Olympic Peninsula. Winter and summer run steelhead in the numerous rivers can produce a contest any angler dreams of. Salt water fishing is excellent for salmon, and blackmouth fishing is excellent January through March. The area is also famous for its Dungeness Crab.

Interesting Excursions in Sequim and Sequim Area

New Dungeness Lighthouse
The New Dungeness was lit on December 14, 1857, the first to be lit in the Strait of Juan de Fuca-Puget Sound areas. It is still staffed by volunteers and is open to visitors hardy enough to walk out the 6 1/2 mile spit (or clever enough to arrive by boat).

Olympic Game Farm
The Game Farm is the home to many endangered and non-endangered animals, many of whom are veterans of the silver screen. Driving tours are offered year-round and walking tours are given during the summer season.

Historic Dungeness
Visit the sites of old town Dungeness on this interactive history map of the area. Click on places or names and learn their history.

Looks like we got a little carried away with our recommendations for places to see in the Sequim area during your Sequim vacation. There is no way to see it all with one visit. We heard from other Sequimers that they were coming back to Sequim for another vacation each year...till they finally moved to Sequim for retirement. It took us only one vacation to make this decision. Have a great vacation in Sequim!

Another photo from one of our hikes in the Olympic National Park on Olympic Peninsula.

Tags: Sequim vacation, Sequim sights, Olympic National Park on Olympic Peninsula

Sequim Irrigation Festival

Yes, Spring has arrived in Sequim and with it Sequim, the Olympic Peninsula and even areas in Seattle get ready for the 112th Sequim Irrigation Festival May 5th - May 12th, 2007. Whether you live in Sequim or are just visiting on a Sequim vacation, you don't want to miss it. This is a one of a kind.

To tell you the truth what we loved best at our first visit to the Sequim Irrigation Festival last year a few months after we had moved to Sequim was the Grand Parade in Downtown Sequim. The weather cooperated with beautiful sunshine. Washington Street was lined up with tons of people enjoying the beautiful parade of floats, marching bands, cheer leaders and cars. One has to experience the atmosphere and connection between paraders and their audience. The applause and cheers by the spectators were non stop.

By the way, the Sequim Irrigation Festival celebrates the initiation, development and support of the irrigation ditches which brought water to the once dry prairies of Sequim. The theme for this year’s festival is "112 Years and Still Rockin’", with a 50’s Rock and Roll concept.

We are looking forward to another great Sequim Irrigation festival with Arts and Crafts Fair, Kids Parade, Strongman Competition, Logging Show and last but not least the Grand Parade through Sequim. We see you there! Greetings from the Sequimers

Tags: Sequim Irrigation Festival, Moving to Sequim

Moving to Sequim

Dear friends of Sequim and the Sequimers,
This is a short update about happenings in our our Sequim life, personal happenings that is. As most of you know, we had moved to sunny Sequim on the Olympic Peninsula in January 2006 after selling our Hawaii property and vacation rental cottages. Weeks of Internet research and many talks to Mainland friends helped us to define Sequim as the best town to retire at. Our 2-week vacation in fall of 2006 confirmed our decision to move to Sequim. Never regretted it one bit. On the opposite, we are loving it in Sequim.

Well, here comes the big news for some of you. We always kept a close eye on Sequim real estate homes and lots for sale. When Keoki found this perfect lot on a gentle hill with oak trees overlooking Sequim and 180 degrees of the Olympic Mountains - a few yards from Carrie Blake Park and walking distance to shopping- he made his move and bought it at a great discount price. The odd shape of the lot had probably turned many buyers off. After Keoki had spent a few weeks designing a house with daylight basement guest apartment matching the lot shape, he came up with a version which would work with our main quarters upstairs and 1Bd/1Ba guest apartment downstairs for family (our kids from Alaska, Hawaii and Germany) and friends coming to visit us.

We sold our Sequim house in Sun Meadows to Bill from California who owns a boat in Sequim Bay John Wayne Marina. He likes to live on his boat but would also like to have a home base when coming back from his boat trips in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Bill will move into 'our' house at the end of this week. Unfortunately, our new Sequim house is not ready yet for moving in. Moving into new house is supposed to happen middle of May. So far, we are still on schedule with the construction. We hope it will stay that way. Sequim weather is cooperating so far.

For the transition time, we will stay at one of the 2Bd/2Ba cottages at the Sequim West Inn where we stayed on our Sequim vacation in fall 2006 when looking for a house to buy in Sequim. We liked the affordable rates and the full kitchen and cleaning service. Better than any hotel room.

Sorry guys but there are no new photos of the new house yet. The above photo (two balconies for sliding glass doors are missing) was taken a couple of weeks ago. It will probably take some time till we get new house photos taken and downloaded. This makes it more exciting and interesting for you and us! Greetings from the Sequimers

Tags: Moving to Sequim, Sequim house construction, Sequim Real Estate

Restaurant at Sequim Bay Marina

Greetings to everybody who is interested in moving to Sequim or a Sequim vacation,

I guess we told you that a great resource on events, happenings, jobs and real estate in Sequim is the Sequim Gazette. Before we moved to Sequim last year, this was one of our daily references and resources staying in touch with Sequim. It still is these days. Today we found a great information we would like to share with our Sequim town blog readers.

If you don't intend to retire in Sequim and are actually in the restaurant business, here is a great business opportunity for starting a new restaurant at Sequim Bay John Wayne Marina. It's a great location with big windows overlooking beautiful Sequim Bay. And most of all, there should be no shortage of visitors to the restaurants with all the boat owners being a round and Sequim Bay Marina being a nice sight seeing spot for people vacationing in Sequim.

Unfortunately, the old restaurant closed. The Port of Port Angeles is accepting applications from restaurant entrepreneurs to fill an opening the John Wayne Marina building overlooking the Boat Haven and Sequim Bay. Earlier plans for the building indicated the possible commitment toward a high-scale restaurant. McChesney said that demographic studies led the port to try and fill the vacancy with the best idea rather then holding out for a five-star restaurant. More information on this new restaurant project in John Wayne Marina.

Those interested in applying for the location can contact the Port of Port Angeles at 417-3456 or visit the Web site portofpa.com and click on marinas at the top for additional information.

We, Sun Meadows and Sequim residents, would love to see a new restaurant at Sequim Bay Marina opening soon. Not necessarily a 5-star restaurants, so visitors have to think twice whether they can afford a visit. Cafe style would be perfect, if you ask us. Enjoy Spring in Sequim. The Sequimers

Technorati Tags: Vacation in Sequim, Sequim Bay John Wayne Marina, Sequim Sights

Sequim Real Estate - Homes for Sale Analysis

This post is written by Jason Lee, Real Estate Agent at Sequim 'Welcome Home Realty'. Meet Jason for his Sequim Open House April 7 (info below).

We consider his realtor's Sequim real estate market analysis a great contribution to our Sequim town blog. Thanks, Jason, for taking the time to give us an insight into Sequim homes for sale of the present real estate market.

Hello to the all the folks who love Sequim whether they be residents or just wish they were. Spring has definitely arrived in full force this first week of April with temps hitting 65 degrees and my neighbors rhododendrons threatening to collapse under the weight of their own blossoms. The sun's out, lawn mowers are firing up and we come to that time of year when many people's thoughts are turned to love. Well. okay I'm probably not the person that should be writing about love, but I can write about next the most popular item of interest and frequently asked question in the spring, namely "what is the world is the current condition of our real estate market in Sequim?"

There is a lot of doom and gloom out there that just isn't justified. Sequim's real estate market is strong and if we are to believe the corporate folks who keep trying to plug the town with big box stores then there is no predicted end in sight to the area's growth. There is a misconception
because of all the homes on the market that nothing is selling which just isn't true. There is definitely a phenomenon of an abnormal amount of people trying sell their home right now brought about by a cooling of the economy, fear that home prices will continue to fall, rising interest rates and various other reasons. Home prices in Sequim did cool in the second half of 2006 and since early 2007 have started to level off. Many people will disagree, but the appreciation did need to stop for the time being and it's certainly in the communities interest as a whole to have some homes that people can afford.

That being said homes continue to sell at a brisk rate and all signs point to a busy summer in the real estate market. The amount of homes sold last year in the general Sequim area was a virtual tie for the 4th best year ever, which isn't too shabby considering if you believed the media it sounded like it was the 4th worst year ever. Year to date sales in 2007 are strong and only 3 homes behind 2006 at 109 and 112 respectively.

There is a general feeling of concern in Sequim that there are too many lots on the market. Whether there is or not does not seem to be affecting real estate prices in general. Lot prices have continued to remain high with more price increases over the last 6 months than reductions. As long as land prices stay high and affect the cost of having a house built homes will continue to hold their value regardless of how many lots are available. Another important variable is that as long as gas and material prices go up and make it more difficult to have a house built economically existing homes will be an attractive option.

As far as what is in the works for this summer in Sequim, well let's just say it's going to be busy. There are several new developments that have come on line with a mix of lots and homes for sale Several builders are trying to keep their prices in the mid 200's which is a little less that you could find a new home for last year. For the first time in a while there should be some smaller saltwater view lots coming on the market this summer on Bell Hill that will be priced significantly less than what we have now.

Enjoy the Weather, Jason Lee real estate agent at Welcome Home Realty
For your Sequim Real Estate needs, you may contact Jason at 360-460-8161 or email.

If you or your friends are interested in moving to Sequim and buying a Sequim home with mountain views in peaceful neighborhood, meet Jason for his Sequim open house April 7, 11am - 2pm.

Expansive views from this new home in The Estates neighborhood. Well-laid-out 3 bedroom home with a den and formal dining room. Hardwood floors, Corian counters, and vaulted ceilings make this the home you don't want to miss. Just minutes from shopping, with a neighborhood park and tennis court this is the best new neighborhood in Sequim. $359,950 ML# 224056 Directions: East on Washington to East on West Sequim Bay Road. Right on Morgison Loop into The Estates.

Tags: best town to retire, sequim real estate, sequim home for sale

Spring in Sequim

Spring has finally arrived in Sequim! I remember when we moved to Sequim last year and our new neighbors would say say "Wait till spring is coming!". Yes, they were so right. I guess after all those those many years living on a tropical island one forgets about the magic of the seasons, with spring being the most impressive. Blossoms in all colors, buds and greens everywhere. Don't we just love our life in sunny Sequim?!

Today, we woke up to blue skies and beautiful sunshine. Don't get me wrong. At 10am, the mountain air is still crisp with 50F in the shade but by now we are used to bundle up and just enjoy the most amazing countryside setting with the blue Pacific Ocean on one side and the still snowcovered Olympic Mountains on the other. And all in between...there is spring in Sequim!

With the speed limit being in most streets a meager 25miles/hr, driving through Sequim is like taking a scenic tour. They should call not only call Sequim the lavender capital of the world but also town with the most cherry blossom trees. I am still 'hunting' for this one special photo taking a view of the trees with the mountains as background but was not lucky so far. The trees in front of the Sequim Aquatic Recreation Center should do for now. Tulips, daffodils, primroses, forsythia, early rhododendrons and more complete nature's spring design in Sequim.

Just a short update on our Sequim house construction. It seems like everything is on schedule. We will be moving out of our Sun Meadows house in about 14 days. To bridge the time till we can move into our new Sequim house in the peaceful Carrie Blake Park neighborhood, we have already rented a fully equipped vacation rental place with kitchen. We stayed there when vacationing and real estate hunting in Sequim in fall of 2005. Sequim vacation rentals are not cheap, we noticed. It might be an idea to look into offering a nice vacation rental at an affordable rate. Our many Sequim outdoor attractions and festivals like the upcoming Sequim Irrigation Festival on May 5 and the Sequim Lavender Festival July 20 attract lots of visitors who are looking for a Sequim vacation rental. It's something to think about.

We are looking forward to your comments or posts. For comments, just click comment, then 'Other' and write what you would like to share with our Sequim blog visitors (we will get your comment for approval!). If you have an idea for a post on our Sequim Town blog, please, email us. Enjoy spring in Sequim! The Sequimers.

p.s.

Hope the Sequim Elks won't do too much damage to farmer's and nature's efforts. We know we will be facing the deer roaming around our new house (Oak hill has been their long time habitat) and will have to come up with some special landscaping ideas.

Tags: Sequim town, retire in Sequim, Sequim vacation