Sequim Aquatic Center SARC is closed

For all those Sequim visitors who are still on extended weekend Labor Day vacation or plan a Sequim vacation for the next two weeks, here is the not so good news: our most popular meeting place for exercise, swimming and socializing SARC (Sequim Aquatic Recreation Center) is taking time off for annual maintenance and repair jobs from September 1 (tomorrow) - September 14.

We told our Sequim Vacation blog visitors in the past repeatedly that the great outdoors with hiking and biking, the small town living with big town amenities and the amazing scenery all around Sequim is what has attracted us and so many other retirees to this town on the Olympic Peninsula. One of the biggest attractions of all the above is SARC.

Keoki's Stretch class at SARC has really taken off and had become an integrated part in the fitness classes at SARC. Of course, anybody who is interested in Keoki's Easy Stretch video or DVD for home use or giving as a present to a friend or family member, just email us, and we let you know how you can obtain it.

OK I am not an instructor at SARC but I am a very committed member using crosstrainer and bike, stretch facility and my favorite part is the lappool for swimming between 12noon and 1pm. The best part comes afterwards with jacuzzi and sauna and chatting with friends. It's amazingly easy to make new friends at SARC. Just ask 'How long have you been living in Sequim?' and/or 'Where have you moved from?' and you will get a very lively conversation going and have a new friend for your next visit at SARC.

Now, you can imagine how tough it is for us addicted exerciser when SARC is not open. Here is what we recommend: go on vacation, enjoy the last days of summer for bike rides and hikes and pick blueberries till they come out of your ears. Actually, I have started this year to freeze my extras. The recommendation (by a SARC member!) to spread them on a tray, freeze for 24 hrs and then fill them in freezer bags worked well.

Last but not least, blackberry season has started. I picked the first ripe berries at sunny spots in the park. Enjoy blackberry season in Sequim. Naturally, visitors who stay with us for a month at our monthly Sequim Vacation rental will get a bucket for picking berries.

Tags: Sequim vacation

Plan ahead if taking Ferry on Labor Day weekend

Sequim enjoyed some nice summer weather during the months of July and August - actually on a few days it was warmer on the Olympic Peninsula than normally. Still we could count the days we had to switch the air on to feel comfortable in the house. When we looked at the weather map of the entire United States we noticed that not many states were that lucky and got struck be permanent heat waves.

Recently, we were asked at Sequim Vacation Blog what the weather will be like in September in Sequim. Well, it's now our third September here. The past two were very nice, so my assumption is that September in Sequim can be still counted as summer weather. The Olympic Peninsula, especially Sequim town and area, can expect quite a number of visitors for the extended Labor Day, ready to hike the Olympic Mountains, bike the Olympic Discovery Trail, Watch the Birds and pick berries.

Graysmarsh Berry Farm manager told us the other day this coming week might be the last week for the raspberries but guys, if you love blueberries there are still tons - bigger and better each day of sunshine - and the blackberries have just started.

Anyhow, when you plan your Sequim vacation for the Labor Day weekend, consider that our WA state ferry service is somewhat 'compromised' at the moment because a few of the older big car ferries were replaced by smaller ferries.We talked about the Port Townsend - Whidbey Ferry in May 2008. Plan ahead if you are taking the ferry on Labor Day or Labor Day weekend.


The state's ferry division expects the longest backups at ferry terminals the Friday before the holiday August 29 between 3 and 7pm. Other backups you might want to avoid are Sunday 8/31 in the afternoon and evening and the morning of Labor Day Sept 1st. Strongest returning traffic is predicted for 8/31 afternoon and evening and the morning of Labor Day.

As ferry officials expect many sailings to sell out, it's strongly recommended to make a ferry reservation ahead of the time. Only vehicle reservations are available. For Reservations call 888-808-7977or go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries The same heavy ferry traffic is expected for Port Townsend ferry for the Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival September 5 - 7.

There is always the option the avoid the WA ferry dilemma all together and drive around through Tacoma. No waiting in line and easy driving for most of the part from Seattle to Sequim. Have a great Sequim vacation with no delays at the ferry terminals.

Tags: Sequim, travel, vacation, Sequim vacation, WA ferries

Bird Watching in Sequim

If you are not into heavy hiking the Olympic Mountain trails or biking the Olympic Discovery Trail and yet like being out in nature with a leisurely walk in the forest, then the Bird Walk at Railroad Bridge Park might be just for you, when on your Sequim vacation.

The walking tour begins at the Dungeness Audubon River Center at Railroad Bridge Park at about 8:30am on Wednesday mornings and takes about 2hrs. to complete. It's a leisurely walk. The peaceful sound of the Dungeness River and the birds singing in the forest makes this a wonderful experience for birdwatchers on vacation in the Sequim area.

Participants can bring their own binoculars but if you are from out of town, the Center will provide them for free. Remember morning hours in Sequim can be still a little chilly, so put on a jacket which you can take off when the sun comes out later. An average 15 - 20 people show up for the Sequim bird walks during the summer months July and August.

Have fun bird watching in Sequim for the rest of this summer. Tomorrow morning is another chance!

Tags: Sequim, vacation, travel, Sequim vacation, Olympic Discovery Trail

Free Concert in the Park

Most Sequim residents and regular visitors know of our free Sequim concert Tuesday nights during the summer months. Living next to Carrie Blake Park, we have all the advantages this wonderful park has to offer: walks and bike rides, watch Sequim the wild life like Canadian Geese, ducks, herons and of course, listening to the free concerts on Tuesdays. Even when we don't visit the concert, we can hear the music from the Park on our balcony.

Sequim Summer 2008 is slowly going to an end - right now it feels it has just arrived in Sequim with unusual high summer temperatures around 82 F - and with it the free concerts in the Park too. Concerts will continue through September in James Center bandshell just north of Carrie Blake Park. All ages are welcome. For all our Sequim visitors on vacation, here are the concerts which are still coming up for August and September:

August 19 - Kevin Magner and M'ellange mix original rock, folk and blues.

August 26 - Electric Blue Sun plays original jazz fusion. Followed by Move ' Over the Hedge'.

September 2 - Jubilee offers bluegrass and country

September 9 - The Stardust Big Band serves up swing.

You may park your car in the area around the stage. Bring your lawn chairs or blanket. It's a great place for a family picnic. Enjoy the fun. Even if you don't come prepared for a picnic, there is always a hot dog stand to help out. BTW, it's a great place for those who check out Sequim town as a place to retire to meet Sequim residents and hear what made them move to Sequim. There must be a good reason that so many people from Hawaii retire in Sequim!

Tags: Sequim, vacation, trip, travel, Sequim vacation

Hawaiian Party in Sequim

As everybody who has been following our Sequim vacation blog for some time knows by now, we moved from to sunny Sequim from sunny Hawaii Big island about 2 1/2 years ago. Within those years we've met quite a number of people who had moved from other Hawaiian Islands to the Olympic Peninsula with the main purpose to retire in Sequim, just like us.

We were happy to hear from our friend Margret - who is actually not from Hawaii but always liked and likes to vacation there - that those 'transplants' from Hawaii meet on a regular basis and that there will be a potluck Hawaiian luau in the Park close to the Dungeness Spit. All former Hawaiians and people in love with Hawaii were warmly invited to join the Hawaiian luau on Saturday 8/9/08.

When we arrived at noon in the Park by the Dungeness Spit, a big crowd had already gathered. Food was plentiful and mouthwatering. Even Hawaiian Poi, made from Taro root, was available. Here I must admit that in the many years of living in Hawaii, we both never got used to the Poi. I guess it's an acquired taste. But there was plenty of food and desserts to choose from.

First, the weather was a bit on the chilly and rainy side but it definitely did not 'chill' the aloha spirit and smiles of about 40 - 50 people. And when the hula dancers around their excellent teacher Mahina and Mike and Erma from Naki'i were ready to play their guitar and ukuleles and the hula, the sun broke through and warmed our hearts and spirits watching graceful hula ladies of all ages with happy smiles and listening to familiar Hawaiian tunes. It was amazing what a great job the dancers did after have practiced the hula only for 7 months with Mahina at The Senior Center in Sequim.

We all had a wonderful time with fond memories of our lives in Hawaii. We are definitely looking forward to our next Hawaiian luau reunion. The uke (ukulele) players and the hula dancers made this party really special. OK we did not roast a pig in an imu covered with T-leaves for 8 hours like at a traditional luau in Hawaii but that did not stop us from having a great time. Aloha (love) and ahui hou (till next time). Heidi (Pua) and Keoki

p.s.

If you want to learn how to hula, join Mahina and the other Sequim ladies at the Sequim Senior Center Thur 10am - 11am and Sat 10am. It's very spiritual plus gives you a great work-out.

Tags: Sequim, vacation, travel, best retirement town

August in Sequim

It's hot, hot summer all over the United States but there is one little corner in the Pacific Northwest, Sequim on the Olympic Peninsula which has pleasant temperatures for enjoying all outdoor activities, like biking the Discovery Trail, hiking the trails in the Olympic Mountains and pick berries at Sequim berry farms. If you are heading to Hurricane Ridge, read our recent article about traffic delays to Hurricane Ridge during the week.

It's now, beginning of August, that we recommend to come for a Sequim vacation to do all of the above. We are loving each of those Sequim fun activities and want to prove it with a few Sequim photos.

We bike regularly Carrie Blake Park, the Olympic Discovery Trail starting at Railroad Bridge or just bike to visit friends in Sun Meadows or Sunland, as we did yesterday. We looked at our friends' new Sunland home, which is very beautiful and peaceful. Together, we biked to the beach and explored more of the Sunland neighborhood by bike.

My favorite fruits are raspberries. I don't make jam or jello. I love to eat them fresh. Maybe this year, I will try to freeze some. Heard that a good way to do that is to spread the raspberries on a tray, freeze them and then put them in the freezer bags. I will give that a try. Our frozen blueberries worked well last year and lasted long over winter with adding them to our morning cereal. Right now is the best time to pick berries in Sequim. Not too many cherries, another favorite of ours, made it this year but again raspberry and blueberry bushes are full of delicious fruits.

I had a feeling that strawberry season was somewhat short this year but it seems a big blackberry harvest will reward us pretty soon. Blackberry bushes are covered with fruits. The first ones at sunny spots should be ready to pick in about 2 weeks. No need to pick them at the Berry Farms. They are growing plentiful everywhere. I would not recommend to pick them along the road as those areas get frequently sprayed for weed control.

Enjoy all the summer activities in August in Sequim, just as we do.

p.s.

For Sequim residents and visitors: The Sequim Senior Center has its 3rd Annual Benefit Sale coming up on Thursday August 7, 9am - 7pm and Friday August 8, 9am - 3pm. Great way to find something at a cheap price plus to support the community!

Sequim Vacation Articles

Cheap Sequim Vacation

Berry Season in Sequim

Biking the Olympic Discovery Trail

Sequim Vacation Rental

Tags: Sequim, travel, vacation, best of Sequim, Sequim vacation