Hurricane Ridge visit October 2011

Whenever we Sequim residents have visitors, we share with them the beauty of the Olympic Peninsula like Crescent Lake and Hurricane Ridge. Hurricane Ridge is attracting more visitors on their Sequim vacation after funds were raised last year to keep Hurricane Ridge open all year round 24/7. This is a big commitment for the Olympic National Park and the responsible authorities. Port Angeles and Sequim businesses expect more visitors this winter from skiers, snow-shoers and hikers to visit winter wonderland at the Ridge.

On our first Sequim vacation in September 2005, we encountered the first snow of the season on Hurricane Ridge. It was funny to see people in flipflops and shorts walking around in the snow. No snow this week though, and it's already end of October. We had paid attention to the general weather forecast for the Peninsula for this week and figured Tuesday would be a nice day to have some sun on our visit to Hurricane Ridge.


Before driving up, we checked with the daily Hurricane Ridge weather and street update 360-565-3131, which we definitely recommend to everybody to call who plans a visit to the Ridge. At 9am the fog was still hanging over Hurricane Ridge and the streets still had a bit of ice. We postponed to 2pm.


When arriving at the Visitors' Center, we double checked the Hurricane Ridge webcams whose images are now available there on good size monitors. Great for visitors who are still uncertain whether it's worthwhile driving up to the Ridge. The webcam images looked promising and we made our way up to Hurricane Ridge through some low hanging clouds into beautiful sunshine. No winds blowing which is very rare on Hurricane Ridge. We walked around to enjoy the views, sat a bit in the sun and took some photos. Please, enjoy our latest Hurricane Ridge photos.

Tags: Visit Hurricane Ridge, Hurricane Ridge photos from Sequim Vacation

Plan your 2012 Sequim Vacation

What about a 2012 Sequim Vacation?

If you are living in any of those hot summer states like Florida, Arizona, Texas or Pennsylvania and suffered through the 2011 double digit summer temperatures for months, why don't you plan your 2012 vacation in Sequim. Our Sequim vacation rental with a fully equipped kitchen, living room, bedroom and outdoor sitting area, where you can really sit during moderate Sequim summer temperatures.



You may enjoy our peaceful, upscale neighborhood next to Carrie Blake Park, Discovery Trail and a short drive to John Wayne Marina offers everything one needs for a monthly getaway in the refreshing and invigorating air from the mountains and the ocean in Sequim on the Olympic Peninsula. Sequim Vacation Rental amenities:

- high speed Wifi connection for your laptop

- FREE long distance phone within US and Canada

- 'Select Comfort Bed' for your best sleep at night

- comfortable lazy boy love seat in living room

- more TV and music channels than you have at home

and so many more top vacation rental amenities all for the same low monthly rate starting from $850/mo., a rate where you can stay at the Holiday Inn Express in Sequim for 4- 5 nights. OK our Sequim vacation rental doesn't have a swimming pool but SARC with pool, jacuzzi, steam + hot saunas + top scale exercise equipment is a short walk or drive away and available for affordable $49/mo. per person for your Sequim vacation.

Enjoy also all the Sequim wild life & magnificent nature during your monthly stay at 'Bell Hill View' Sequim Vacation Rental

Enjoy the views of Bald Eagles nesting on trees in and around Sequim


Gorgeous mountain views of Olympic Mountains when biking or walking Olympic Discovery Trail

Deer roaming the hills behind our house and nibbling on our raspberry bushes

Canadian geese raising their goslings in Carrie Blake Park

Hummingbirds love Sequim and our hummingbird feeder

Ducks entertaining themselves and park visitors

2011 Summer is over. Now it is the perfect time to plan your 2012 Sequim vacation. Our Sequim Vacation Rental is as good as it gets.

Tags: 2012 Sequim Vacation, Sequim vacation rental for hot summers

Sequim reunion of Hawaii expats

Dear Sequim Town visitors, real ones or cyberspace ones,

When we moved to Sequim on the Olympic Peninsula from Hawaii in January 2006, we didn't know a soul here in Sequim but that should change soon. We found lots of kindred spirits at SARC (Sequim Aquatic Recreation Center) where Keoki started teaching his Easy Stretch class - still going strong now: Mondays + Wednesdays 10:45am at Sarc for those who live in Sequim and surrounding areas - and among the big group of Hawaiian expats, people like us who had moved to Sequim from Hawaii.


The Hawaiian expat group puts a reunion together twice a year, once in summer and another one in winter during the Christmas holidays. Last Saturday we all came together for our summer luau to celebrate our lives and blessings with a great Hawaiian style pot luck luau and lots of Hawaiian music by volunteers who love to play the ukulele and other instruments.

What would be a Hawaiian luau without the traditional Hawaii hula?! Hula teacher Mahina and her hula halau from the Sequim Senior Center danced to their own and to all the Hawaiian expats' entertainment. Just look at their smiling faces in the photos! They tell you how we all felt: loving our lives in Sequim yet enjoying great memories of our lives in Hawaii!

We would like to thank John and Margret Mitchel who opened their beautiful Sequim home and property for all of us and made this summer Hawaii luau party a full success with their TLC. Mahalo, Margret and John!


You want to move to Sequim, a Sequim vacation home is the first step to learn about life in Sequim.

Tags: What is it like to live in Sequim, Sequim events

Sequim Library hosts a 'Whodunit'

Dear Sequim visitors,
First things first, we really love our Sequim library. One can find almost any book there and if they don't have the book you want at our Sequim location, it's easy to order it. The Sequim library also offers book sales at least once a month where you can buy paper backs as cheap as 25cents. Perfect for getting books for going on vacation. Those who come on vacation to Sequim will like the Sequim library a lot because it also offers free Internet service.

The Sequim Library 'Whodunit' seems to be a great fun addition to the library. This past Friday night a hoard of amateur CSI'ers descended on the Sequim library to solve the mystery of who killed the book author. The library hosted this event, inviting all, young and old, to come and solve the mystery. The Sequim library was packed and we were divided into groups of 4 to 6 persons, given a clue sheet and a crossword puzzle to complete in case of ties. There was a cast of 8 characters who read from scripts detailing the storyline and slipping in clues along the way. The story mixed in locales in and around Sequim, mostly in a funny way. We were given 3 breaks to discuss our clues and to roam the library to find more clues stuck here and there.

The Friends of Sequim Library provided a table of snacks to satisfy any hunger pangs brought on by all that thinking. The evening ended as we turned in our choices of who killed the author, the motive and the weapon used. The first place team received $25 gift certificates for a local restaurant, 2nd and 3rd place received a Lotto ticket each. All in all it was a great way to spend a couple of hours on a Friday evening. I for one am looking forward to the next mystery to solve at the Sequim Library.

Tags: Whodunit at Sequim Library, Sequim Library mystery

Sequim July Summer Round-up

Dear Sequim visitors,

Well, to tell you the truth, so far Sequim and the Olympic Peninsula did not really enjoy a summer, yet. The annual precipitation is already over 10" very close to our annual average of 12". Too many gray and rainy days and only sporadic days of sunshine but our Sequim vacation rental guests are so happy to escape the long lasting heat waves in AZ, TX, NM or PA. What can we say? We still feel blessed and comfortable to be able to enjoy the cooler weather in Sequim this summer when 22 states of the rest of the nation are exposed to sweltering temperatures. So what's happening this summer in Sequim?

Sequim Lavender Festival

Despite the rain during this year's Lavender Festival - long time Sequim residents told us that this is a first - I think it was a success. When I visited the new Lavender Festival in the Park on Saturday I missed a bit the vibe of the Street Fair in Fir (we had some drizzle rain then), which we enjoyed on Sunday noon. Great audience, beautiful arts and crafts. Everybody had a great time! I did not go to a farm with the tour bus but saw that the buses were crowded as usual. Yesterday I shopped at Jardin du Soleil and they told me that they had a great crowd enjoying the lavender fields and their lavender products!

You pick Berries in Sequim

The Camron Strawberry and Graysmarsh Berry Farm opened late this year in June for picking strawberries. However, since the rainy weather fruits were not really big and sweet, so u-pick strawberry season was not a big success this year. Yesterday I picked for the first time raspberries at Graysmarsh after I had picked the first sweet berries at my bushes. Raspberries obviously loved the rain. The fruits are big, juicy and sweet. Graysmarsh sells them for $2/lb I also checked their early blueberries which should be ripe for picking by the end of the week.

2011 Tribal Canoe Journey

When walking to SARC yesterday, where Keoki is teaching his Easy Stretch class, I noticed in Fir St next to the Sequim High School tennis courts tons of tents on the grassy area which had a sign for the'2011 Tribal Canoe Journey', which is organized by the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe. Their colorful canoes are coming from the west while others are crossing from the Straits of Juan de Fuca. Today the canoes will paddle to Port Townsend and then head further to their gathering place at La Conner.

New Sequim Soccer Fields in Carrie Blake Park

Yes, that's what the current dirt piles on a huge 13 acre area will be in Carrie Blake Park. Before all that digging, there was 'just' grass and Canadian geese and ducks roaming around on it, bikers biking the Olympic Discovery Trail and the senior people of Sequim walking through the peaceful scenery with beautiful views of the Olympic Mountains. Looks like some people came up with the idea this area should be made into 5 large and 3 small new soccer fields. We heard of a petition so we could vote for or against this project, but we and most of our friends never saw it.

Now we are wondering whether this new Sequim project, which is actually paid for by donations to Sequim Family Advocates, will not only be in the best interest of the 'alleged 1000 children waiting to play there' but also of the senior community of a retirement town like Sequim! How that can be accomplished will still to be seen. Another interesting question will be who will be paying for the maintenance costs for 13 acres of playground since the city of Sequim is already under financial pressure as is.

Let's hope the new Sequim soccer fields in Carrie Blake Park will be an improvement for Sequim, for the children AND the seniors and last but not least fro the wild life in Carrie Blake Park!

Tags: summer in Sequim, Sequim events, Sequim City projects

Sequim Retirement Home celebrates

To be specific, well-known Sequim retirement center 'The 5th Avenue' turned 25 on Thursday this week and celebrated its birthday with Sequim residents. The retirement center had invited visitors to 'high tea' and tours at the retirement home. We joined the afternoon celebration which included a few birthday speeches, horse-drawn carriage rides a taste of the delicious food the retirement serves its residents and tours through the building in a beautiful garden setting. See my photos.

On the tour we were able to view some of the apartments which include , 1-Bedroom and 2-Bedroom units which are available for rent on a month to month basis. Most of the apartments have large patios or balconies. Amenities and services like full meal service, house keeping, utilities, transportation and activities are part of the monthly rent. Sequim retirement home rentals start at $1950/mo. for a person. A 2-Bedroom condo rents for $3225/mo. for a couple meaning one definitely has to have some decent savings or have a good pension to be able to retire at '5th Avenue' Sequim retirement home.

With 87 being the average age of residents, Sequim residents obviously take their time to check themselves in. We all want to be and stay active, healthy and independent as long as possible. However, it's a good thing to know that Sequim town has a nice retirement home as '5th Avenue'. To check things out on your own, you can always come to Sequim. An affordable charming Sequim vacation apartment makes your visit easy.

Tags: Sequim Retirement Home

Graysmarsh Berry Farm opened 2011 U-pick Berry Season

Graysmarsh Berry Farm, the biggest u-pick berry farm in Sequim, opened its gates on Friday for the 2011 u-pick berry season in Sequim!



When you love to pick your own berries like we do, we will love to hear the Sequim news that Graysmarsh Berry Farm opened on Fiday for its 2011 u-pick berry season. Strwaberries are the first ones in line. However, with the sun not being out enough, there are not yet as many sweet strawberries available as usual at this time of the year, the owners of the berry farm inform their visitors on their website.

My suggestion is to still wait a few days for the sun sweetening the fruits. I will buy for now the strawberries from California, which has actually also been much colder this spring, but still produces more sweet strawberries than Sequim weather allowed this June. Offially summer starts on June 21. Show us the sun in Sequim! The few days, when I took the photos of Sequim Vacation Rental are not enough.

Affordable Sequim Vacation Rental

Dear Sequim Visitors,
When looking for a nice Sequim vacation, 'Bell Hill View' vacation rental might just be what you are looking for. 'Bell Hill View' Sequim vacation rental home is a fully equipped 1Bd/1Ba located in a peaceful upscale Sequim setting, yet in walking distance to shopping, restaurants & park. Sequim Vacation Rental features top amenities like FREE wireless Internet access + long distance calls. For peace of mind, read a few Sequim guest reviews from our guest book.

2016 Sequim vacation rental rates - Same affordable rates as 2015

1Bd/1Ba Sequim Vacation Rental Monthly Rate (all-inclusive, sleeps 2)

2016 Low Season Rate (May - June) $850/mo.

2016 High Season Rate (July - August) $950/mo.
2016 Fall Rate (September - October) $900/mo.

Sales tax is included. Sorry, no pets allowed.

Sequim Vacation Rental

‘Bell Hill View’ is a charming, affordable Sequim vacation rental in a peaceful setting in an upscale neighborhood of sunny Sequim with lots of amenities, in walking distance to shopping, restaurants and Carrie Blake Park. Sequim Aquatic Recreation Center SARC with Olympic size lap pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, fitness center and more is a short 5-minute drive away. Experience Sequim on the North Olympic Peninsula at your own Sequim vacation home, home away from home.

‘Bell Hill View’ in Sequim is the perfect vacation destination when hiking the Olympic National Park, sailing or boating at John Wayne Marina with Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca, walking or biking the Olympic Discovery Trail, playing golf on Sequim golf courses, visiting the Dungeness Spit National Wildlife Refuge or spectacular hiking in Olympic National Park.


This Sequim Vacation Rental affords top privacy at your 1Bd/1Ba 525 sq ft vacation suite with beautiful views of Bell Hill and glimpses of the Olympic Mountains. For your utmost comfort, amenities include free wireless high speed Internet access for your laptop and free long distance Vonage phone, which is great for staying in touch with Sequim realtors or your home business.

Choose from 90 cable channels, when relaxing on your recliner love seat after a day of adventure on the Olympic Peninsula or your search for a Sequim home to buy. Select comfort beds with dual control provide you with a restful sleep.


No need to fear that your dream vacation will become a budget nightmare. For less than the cost of the hotels, you can steal away to your own fully equipped, comfortable, private Sequim vacation rental only minutes away to the beauty and adventure of the North Olympic Peninsula with the Pacific Ocean and Olympic Mountains.

Get ready for your Sequim vacation on the Olympic Peninsula. Contact us today for your monthly stay with subject line ‘Sequim Vacation Home’. Looking forward to hearing from you. Greetings from Sequim

Sequim vacation rental amenities:

- Free wireless high speed Internet for your laptop
- Free local + long distance phone calls (US, Canada) with Magic Jack

- New Flat Screen TV
- HD TV with DVR for recording your favorite programs
- Cable TV + 45 music channels to choose from

- Select Comfort Bed with dual control
- Recliner love seat, Wall to Wall carpet in living room and bedroom
- Fully equipped kitchen w/fridge + deep freeze, microwave, stove

- A portable cooler + re-freezable ice packs are available for day trips
- Convenient, comfortable zone heating for colder months

- Nice private outdoor garden sitting area for hot summer days
- Beautiful views of Bell Hill
- Downstairs apartment w/private entrance - no stairs to climb
- Off Street parking
- Washer/Dryer for your convenience on vacation
- Walking distance to Shopping + Carrie Blake Park
- Easy bike access of Olympic Discovery Trail - FREE bike rental from us

Great central location, next to Carrie Blake Park, for exploring Sequim, John Wayne Marina, the Olympic Peninsula, Olympic National Park.

Note: This is a non-smoking apartment. No pets allowed.

***No extra cleaning fees charged!

Sequim Town Attractions

Sequim Aquatic Recreation Center SARC

Carrie Blake Park

John Wayne Marina

Sequim Area Attractions

Olympic Discovery Trail

Dungeness Spit with Sequim Lighthouse

Olympic National Park

Crescent Lake

Visit Sol Duc Hot Springs

Sequim Vacation Activities Things To Do

Hiking, Biking, Kayaking, Bird Watching, Swimming, Relaxing

Places to visit in the Sequim area and North Olympic Peninsula area:

Seattle, Port Angeles, Port Townsend, Gig Harbor, Ocean Shores, Whidbey Island, San Juan Islands, Columbia River Gorge, Hood Canal, Victoria BC, Vancouver Island

More Sequim Vacation Rental photos

Related Articles Sequim Vacation

Things to Do on Sequim Vacation
See Sequim Area photos

Tags: Vacation Sequim, Sequim Vacation Rental

Sequim Vacation Rental photos

Dear Sequim visitors,

It was fun to publish a few of our 'Bell Hill View' Sequim Vacation Rental guestbook comments in our last post. Here are a few of the latest glimpses of our Sequim house near Carrie Blake, Carrie Blake Park photos and Sequim town.

Actually, today we have another update for our Sequim vacation rental guests. The private outdoor sitting area next to the vacation apartment received a remodeling job by Keoki. He added a nice little concrete platform for underneath the outdoor furniture which he surrounded by little pebbles. Looks really very inviting for sitting outside on a warm summer day.

We didn't have too many warm summer days yet but when we took the photos, Sequim town was blessed with blue skies and warm sunny weather.

Enjoy Sequim in Spring with our latest Sequim photos

Our Irises along the side of the house are in full bloom.

Keoki enjoys a moment of relaxation from his yard work.

Sequim Vacation Rental downstairs

Our visit Alder Wood Restaurant for lunch

Keoki with our Sequim best friends Sue and Bob at Alder Wood Bistro

Photo of snow-covered Olympic Mountains taken on our walk through the park

Couple of Canadian geese with their new babies

Canadian geese dad watches very carefully for eagles or other predators