Spring or Winter in Sequim - Which one is it?

Waking up this morning, Sequim residents really had something to talk about. After temperatures dropped yesterday afternoon quite a bit and even some snow flakes came down, it still did not look like we'd go back to winter. Well, we were totally wrong.


What a surprise! This morning we found our backyard, flower bed, driveway and our balconies covered in a think layer of snow. Keoki's guess was 7 inches (!) of white stuff. I felt really sorry for my tulips and daffodils - luckily I had not planted the newly bought primroses. Well, I took a whole bunch of photos and will share a few with our Sequim town blog visitors. When the sun came out, we decided there is no need to work hard to get rid of all that snow in the driveway. The sun will take care of it.


We cleaned the balconies, left the driveway to the sun and went for a walk through Carrie Blake Park in winter boots and enjoyed, hopefully, the last winter day in Sequim. It was spectacular.
For the records, the sun took care of the snow on my flower bed and on our drive way!

Tags: Sequim, Sequim winter, snow in Sequim

What Sequim residents talk about

Sequim is not any different from the rest of the states. Sequim residents don't only talk about upcoming spring 2009 - daffodils and tulips are growing fast enjoying the current Sequim sunshine - after a colder winter than average. They naturally talk about rising prices for groceries and reduced product offers.

We heard that a number of employees at our Sequim markets got laid off or have to work reduced hours. This can have tough consequences for those families when a mortgage or car loan needs to be paid. We noticed that the tightened job market situation has a positive side effect for customers: we receive the best customer service when shopping in Sequim.

Sequim real estate market has been and still is a hot topic among Sequim residents and of course, for those who want to become residents and eventually move to Sequim. Residents who want to or need to sell their home are not in the best position these days as seller of real estate or land in Sequim. Potential buyers seem to wait for getting even a better price when waiting a bit longer. Offers like 'Buy one lot, get one free' at the manufactured Homes subdivision off Hendrickson, left of road when going west, or lowering the lot prices in new subdivision 'Willow Creek' by almost 50%.

I remember when Willow Creek subdivision - really nicely landscaped - got on the market and lots got offered for sale at $100,000 over a year ago. Later, prices were lowered to $79,000 a lot. Now the asking price is $59,000 and yet, the selling is not happening despite of an excellent location: next to Carrie Blake Park bordering Sequim Wildlife Refuge and offering great mountain views from the lots. This is what Sequim residents talk about and more...

There have always been demands for bigger Sequim lots outside the Sequim city limits, meaning lot owners need to have their own well dug, which can become a luxury expense considering the new restrictions to well permits and well water use a day which the state Department of Ecology suggests called the in-stream flow rule.

This proposal is intended to keep enough water in the Dungeness River for fish, other wildlife and recreation. For a public meeting held at John Wayne Marina about 150 (!) Sequim residents showed up. The discussion proved that this new rule is not 'approved' yet. BTW, current well owners are nor affected. Read details and charges on the Ecology website.

With all that 'hoopla' about the new instream flow rule in Sequim area, I nearly forgot to mention the new Sequim projects between 2009 - 2014: tennis courts at Carrie Blake Park, soccer and softball fields, next phase of the Olympic Discovery Trail and a 45-acre Wildlife Refuge along Hwy 101. All this is on the parks and trails wish list. Sounds really good, doesn't it but who will or should pay for it?

Sequim City Council intends to impose a park impact fee on builders of houses, condominiums and apartments. Recent public hearings already showed what developers and builders think of these park impact fees. You probably guess right. You can read more on Sequim City Website.
p.s.
This is for our Sequim blog visitors who are looking for a lot to buy in Sequim and might want to check out the lots for sale at Willow Creek subdivision. I noticed on one of my recent walks there, that new signs had shown up indicating that Welcome Home has merged with JACE The Real Estate Company which obviously have now these lots under contract.

Tags: Sequim residents, Moving to Sequim, Olympic Peninsula

Best Shopping in Sequim

This post is long overdue. It's about best shopping in Sequim when on vacation. However, before we get into shopping details, let's make sure that all of our Sequim town blog visitors read about the Hood Canal Bridge being closed entire May and half of June 2009, a time when we normally welcome visitors back to the Olympic Peninsula. Read our Driving to Sequim post before thinking about shopping in Sequim.

When visitors come to Sequim and stay at a fully equipped vacation rental with kitchen they want to know where is the best shopping, for bargains and for quality food. Let's first list what food places are available for shopping in Sequim:

Safeway Store - We love their Meat loaf Fridays $5

QFC Quality Food Center - Fresh Alaskan Sockeye Salmon is our favorite.

Costco Sequim - Best price for buying bananas in Sequim.

WalMart - has a food section but not the complete produce list

All these Sequim markets and stores are in town along Washington St., just a short drive from our house. Not like in Hawaii where we had to drive an hour to Costco for our favorite things to buy. We love all the shops being so close and easy to reach. With QFC in walking distance, we even combine a walk through Carrie Blake Park with shopping at QFC.

Here is what we do. At least, once a week we get our shopping done at Costco like organic flax seed bread, fish, meat, beer and whatever else we were running out and usually buy at great discount prices at Sequim Costco. No question, top quality food can be purchased at Safeway or QFC but you also pay accordingly for top quality. So, we mostly check the specials and coupons of the week at those places - and share those with our monthly vacation rental guests as well - for special buys. WalMart we only buy a few produce but we like their garden section for all our gardening needs.

We feel the best shopping in Sequim for fruits and veggies is available at 'Sunny Farms'. You will have to drive about 2 miles out of town on Hwy 101 in the direction of Port Angeles. But let me tell you great prices and wide selection for fruits and veggies make that drive all worthwhile. I read in the newspaper that Sunny Farms started as a simple roadside stand in 1970.


The business has grown to include a farm store and a supplements store. The owners definitely listen to their Sequim community customers' needs and wants and try to find a way to get it at affordable prices. Sequim residents and tourists love shopping at Sunny Farms.

Tags: Sequim shops, Shopping in Sequim

Driving to Sequim

Dear Sequim Vacation visitors,

We hope all our blog visitors enjoyed the Sequim photos we posted last time to share highlights of our Sequim life during our 3 years of living here.

Will you believe it, despite a colder Sequim winter than ever - that's at least what long time residents tell us and compared to our previous two winters we believe them - our tulips and daffodils are poking their heads out of the ground. Well, Sequim winter does not seem to be over yet, but everybody who loves the Olympic Peninsula is looking forward to spending a nice vacation in the great outdoors like hiking the Olympic National Park, visiting Crescent Lake and Marymere Waterfalls or Hurricane Ridge.

Planning your Sequim summer vacation should not be hard to do. Just remember that Sequim vacation rentals or hotels book fast during the week of the Lavender Festival 7/13 - 7/19/09. Otherwise, planning your Sequim vacation a few weeks ahead should be working out just fine. However, there is a problem which those will be facing, who would like to travel to the Olympic Peninsula during May and till middle of June. You might have heard that our biggest and most frequented connection between the Peninsula and the 'Mainland', the Hood Canal Bridge, will be closed for repair entire May 2009 till middle of June.

When you are planning your Sequim vacation during the months of May and June 2009, be aware that the Hood Canal Bridge will be closed and you need to do a little detour from Seattle Airport to Sequim. As I will be traveling too during that time, we checked the map and decided to do the route from Sea-Tac Airport going south through Olympia - instead of our regular driving route through Tacoma going north from the Airport - and then continue on Hwy 101 all the way to Sequim.

We have done that on our first vacation in Sequim in fall of 2005. We wanted to get to know the area of the Pacific Northwest. And, we loved it. However, you will have to add about an hour to your normal 2-hr driving time to Sequim through Tacoma. So count on a 3-hr trip from Seattle Airport to Sequim during the closure of Hood Canal Bridge.

Traveling to the Olympic Peninsula

The five alternative driving routes to the Olympic Peninsula during the six-week closure are listed below. WSDOT will be making temporary highway improvements during the closure in anticipation of increased traffic throughout Kitsap, Mason and Jefferson counties.

From Olympia: Take US 101 northbound along the western shore of Hood Canal.

From Tacoma and Bremerton: Take SR 16 from Tacoma, across the Narrows Bridge to its intersection with southbound SR 3 just south of Bremerton. Follow SR 3 to where is intersects with US 101 and follow US 101 northbound.

From Seattle: Take the Washington State ferry from Seattle to Bremerton, then follow the signs for SR 304 West until the turn off to southbound SR 3 just south of Bremerton. Take SR 3 to where it intersects with US 101, and follow US 101 northbound.

From North Puget Sound Area: Take the Washington State ferry from Keystone (on Whidbey Island north of Seattle) to Port Townsend.

From Olympia via Aberdeen/Hoquiam: Take US 101 northbound. This is a longer scenic route that includes the Pacific coastline and parts of Olympic National Park.

Read more about the Hood Canal 2009 closure. Drive safely to Sequim.

Tags: Sequim, Sequim vacation, driving to Sequim, Hood Canal Bridge

Sequim Photos

Hello again to our Sequim Vacation blog visitors,

Guess what. Today is our 3rd anniversary of moving to Sequim. I just noticed that we wrote a post on our 2nd anniversayry of moving to little Sequim town on the Olympic Peninsula in the Pacific Northwest.

When following our Sequim blog posts and photos, you know it's still happily ever after. What better proof can be there than a few photos of our Sequim life during those three exciting years! Remember this is just a short selection 'Memories of Sequim'. If you want to know more, see more Sequim photos and read more details about our Sequim life and what a Sequim vacation is like, cruise our Sequim Vacation Categories on the bottom of the sidebar.

We see you in Sequim or on our next Sequim vacation post. Greetings from the Sequimmers, Heidi & Keoki

p.s.

Sorry, guys, Keoki is not in any of the photos 'Tennis anyone', as he took them.

Sequim photos

Photo of our first House in Sequim Sun Meadows. We moved in January 12, 2006.


Photo of Keoki sunbathing on patio of Sun Meadows House in February 2006


Spring photo in Sequim - Cherry blossom trees everywhere


Our favorite Sun Meadows photo from Bell Hill with snow-covered Mt. Baker


Photo of our new Sequim house construction - start in November 2007


Photo of new Sequim House - we are moving in June 2007!


Photo of first landscaping at new Sequim house - Fall 2007


Photo with our friends Trixie and Klaus at Marymere Waterfall October 2008

Sequim Photos to be continued ...

Tags: Sequim, Sequim photos, Sequim vacation, Sequim houses

Tennis Anyone?

Tennis anyone!!!Burrrrrrrr

Having come from Hawaii I must say that tennis in Sequim can be a challenge.

You might say what’s the big deal, tennis is tennis, a court, a net, a ball and 2 to 4 players. Ah, but in Sequim the other element is the weather, especially in the winter. Ever played tennis with a wet ball, I have and it does not play the same as a dry one. It seems to stick to your racquet and when it does come off it never goes as far as you want and of course it won’t bounce as high.


Now that is dealing with a wet ball so that assumes the weather is above freezing. If its below freezing and the courts are wet then its not tennis anymore its ice skating. Cause below freezing we don’t play when the courts are wet. But when they are dry, bring on the cold. You just need to dress warm and keep moving and have a handkerchief handy to wipe your runny eyes and nose. But back to the ball, I don’t think tennis balls were made to play with in freezing weather. I guess that’s why most pro matches are played in warm climates.


All I can say is if you are a die hard tennis player and I am, a little freezing weather will just be invigorating. See you on the courts (Sequim High School tennis courts that is)…Keoki Happy New Year to Sequim's tennis players
p.s.
I took these photos on Friday last week where we had a group of Sequim tennis players playing doubles on two courts of Sequim High School.

Tags: Sequim, Sequim tennis, Sequim vacation

Happy New Year Sequim!

Dear Sequim vacation blog visitors,
The holidays are over and a short Sequim round-up what happened since our last blog 'Sequim Winter' might be a nice time to catch up with happenings in sunny little Sequim town.

First things first, the winter is not over. Since our moving here in January 2006, we experienced our coldest winter in Sequim. That's at least what long time Sequim residents confirm us. Yet, we thank ourselves for our thorough research we had done before we moved to Sequim. Yes, at several times during the holiday season we got some snow and it was still lying on the ground Carrie Blake Park, so I guess we could call it a white Christmas in Sequim. However, we really got protected by the Olympic Mountains from piles of snow which came down on Port Townsend, Port Angeles and of course, Seattle.

Our gym friends Edie and Brian, who live off Old Olympic Highway, 'donated' those lovely Christmas snowman photos! Their daughters visited from Seattle for Christmas in Sequim. Thanks guys!


Well, finally we are in possession of the snow chains which one needs in 2009 for entering the Olympic National Park for a visit to Hurricane Ridge. Even though we have the snow chains, we are not in the mood and pushing our luck going up in the mountains when conditions are too challenging. It's quite interesting what was happening during the holidays.

We watched the Sequim weather and when Sequim was nice and sunny and winds were calm on a weekend, we'd call the hot line for Hurricane Ridge 360-565-3131 weather forecast. Alas, it never sounded, we were ready for the mountain road adventure hitting snow and frost on the roads. So, we are still waiting for the perfect day for our winter wonderland visit to Hurricane Ridge. Good thing is that the snow there will last for a long time all the way into spring.

As our kids are all spread around the world, with no easy 'hop' to Sequim, we celebrated Christmas and New Year's with neighborhood and SARC friends. We had a wonderful, peaceful time each holiday. Midnight at New Year's we were all by ourselves standing on our balcony bundled up in warm clothes and waiting for fireworks in Sequim but nothing much happened. We retreated to the cozy warmth of the house and watched the firework spectacle at the Space Needle in Seattle. What a show!

Watch 2008/2009 Fireworks at Seattle's Space Needle - Happy New Year!



Well, it's not too late to wish all our friends in Sequim, Hawaii and around the world 'A Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year'. As we told everybody in our year-end greetings we have not once regretted our moving to Sequim. On the 12th of January, it will be our 3rd anniversary of moving to the Olympic Peninsula in the Pacific Northwest. If you have any questions about little Sequim town, life or a monthly vacation in Sequim, we'd happily answer those. Stay connected with Sequim through our Sequim Town blog!
p.s.
We received some more photos from our Hawaii expats Christmas party and thought we place a few here to show everybody that even Hawaii guys can be happy in Sequim.

Tags: sequim, moving to sequim, sequim in winter

Sequim Winter

Yes, Sequim winter is here! Like the rest of the state of Washington, Sequim got its first snow of this 2008/2009 winter season. However, as we tell our blog visitors again and again, Sequim weather is special. From all the big announced winter storm with the coldest temperatures in 20 years and many inches of snow, we received maybe one inch of snow (our long driveway was 'licked' blank again by the sun within hours, the southern exposure helps, of course) and the coldest we had here at our house at night time was 26 F, whereas Bellingham got hit by a low of 5F. Brrrrr!

Remember the Carrie Blake Park photo from our last blog post about visiting Sequim for the holidays? Everything still looking green and in fall colors. Let's give you this Sequim photo update from yesterday, Sunday 12/14/2008. How is that for a Sequim winter photo? Actually, in 2006 during our first winter in Sequim, we experienced the first snow in November. See our photos in Sequim Winter Wonderland when we still lived in Sun Meadows.

What's new for this 2008 Christmas season in Sequim? Most houses are nicely decorated without going to the extreme. So, it's really fun to walk the neighborhood in the late afternoon when the Christmas lights inside and outside are already switched on. In addition, we exchange holiday visits with friends and neighbors while we listen to some traditional Christmas music and indulge in some special Christmas treats.

We had joined a very special Christmas party of our Hawaii expats in Port Angeles. Hawaiian pot luck, ukulele music and hula dances with teacher Mahina as the leader of the hula ladies from the Sequim Senior Center made this a great fun gathering and got us all in the spirit of the holidays.

As during the past 2 Christmases, we cut our own tree at the Lazy Tree Farm. Who has never done it, believe us, it's great fun. Just walking around between all the available trees, is kind of different compared to picking up a tree from one of the Christmas tree locations. One thing is for sure, the tree is definitely fresh and it's the one you selected. We love the shorter Blue Spruce trees and really like the one we've found...and the price was right: $15!



We also read in the Peninsula Daily News that one can get a permit for just $5 to cut a tree in the woods but as the tree cutting permits are not available at special locations (Quinault, Forks, Quilcene and Hoodsort) and Christmas tree cutting is only allowed at designated areas, the Lazy Tree Farm is as good as it gets. Enjoy the holiday season and peaceful hours with family and friends! Happy Holidays from Heidi and Keoki from Sequim


Tags: Sequim, Sequim vacation, Christmas in Sequim

Visit Sequim for the holiday season

Here is still some additional information on Hurricane Ridge Winter Season, which our Sequim visitors should know about. For the holidays, Hurricane Ridge will be open daily December 19 through January 4. Hurricane Ridge will also be open on January 19 for Martin Luther King Day and February 16 for Presidents Day. So plan your stay in Sequim for the holiday season ahead. There are plenty of things to do during the festive season. Get away from the big city and relax in Sequim town.

Here are Sequim Christmas traditions with holiday bazaars which we tried to arrange according to the dates they will happen:

Enjoy the 10th Annual Yoletide Bazaar Nov. 15th, 9a.m. - 3p.m. at Dungeness Valley Lutheran Church. Unique handmade gifts for the Season, Heavenly baked goods for the palate.

Annual Holiday Bazaar & Bake Sale Nov. 15th 9a.m. - 3p.m. at Sequim Elks Lodge

Raffle, Crafts, Bake Sale, Lunch

2nd Annual Holiday Nature Mart, Nov. 22, 10a.m. - 4p.m. at Dungeness River Audubon Center

Crafts for kids & adults, door prizes, bird carvings, music, refreshments and more.

Sequim Open Aire Market, Indoor Home Holiday, Nov. 29, 9a.m. -4 p.m. Boys and Girls Club

Great local vendors, Live music, good food, fresh produce.

Down Home Holiday Bazaar by Sequim High School, Nov. 29, 9a.m. - 3p.m. Sequim High School

Featuring handmade gifts and crafts.

Christmas Arts & Crafts Show, Dec. 6 & 7, 9a.m. - 5p.m., Vern Burton Community Center, P.A.

Over 50 Northwest artists and craft people offering: baskets, bath & body products, candles, Christmas, decorations, Jewelry, Pottery, Stained glass, table lines and more. Bake Sale!

30th Annual Handmade Christmas Fair, Dec. 6th, 9a.m. - 3p.m., Sequim Prairie Grange

How better can you enjoy the holiday season? Enjoy the great outdoors of Sequim wonderful surroundings, get a taste of Christmas and relax at SARC swimming pool, fitness, saunas and jacuzzi.

Here is just a short update on Sequim weather. The recent storm passed Sequim without getting hit by high winds. We had some rain but nothing compared to West Washington areas which were experiencing lots of flooding. Here are the uptodate numbers of Sequim precipitation of 2008.

Sequim residents and all those who consider moving here will love those rain numbers:
Port Angeles 16.81 inches YTD

Forks 76.98 inches

Seattle 25.11 inches

Port Townsend 11.40 inches

Sequim 8.32 inches!!!

Today Sequim enjoys blue skies and sunshine all over. Keoki is palying tennis on the courts at Sequim high school and I am off for a walk through wonderful Carrie Blake Park. Greetings from sunny Sequim.

Tags: Sequim, Sequim vacation, holidays in Sequim

Hurricane Ridge Road Reopened

This is great news for all our Sequim visitors who love outings to Hurricane Ridge at the Olympic National Park. Friday last week the completion of Hurricane Ridge - a $12 million road reconstruction project - was celebrated. To encourage visitors to visit Hurricane Ridge, no park entrance fee was charged. We never expected the project to be done so fast. Hurricane Road reconstruction was completed a year ahead of schedule. That's such good news for residents and visitors alike.


So let those visitors from Seattle and surrounding areas come for an extended weekend Sequim vacation. Trails and hikes at Hurricane Ridge offer magnificent views of the surrounding mountains and the open meadows of the ridge, before the winter snows cover it all. Hurricane Ridge is worthwhile a visit at all times of the year. Just get dressed warmly - even when Port Angeles and Sequim are bathed in sunshine - and bring a thermos with warm tea and some sandwiches. The snack bar will be also open for your convenience, if you are not into bringing your own snack.


Here is what you should know for visiting Hurricane Ridge during winter season. Winter season for the Ridge starts November 21. With exception of bad weather road closures, Hurricane Ridge Road will be open Fridays through Sundays from 9 a.am. to dusk through March 29.

Beginning December 13, the downhill ski tows will operate from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. The ski and snowshoe rentals will be open as well. Tubing and sliding will be permitted at the Sunrise Family Snowplay area. There will be snowshoe walks offered at 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. The walks are 90 minutes round trip and cover a bit more than a mile.

This is very important to know: Winter season drivers to Hurricane Ridge are required to carry chains in their cars. For more information on Hurricane Ridge, visit their website
or phone the Park's hotline 360-565-3131. Sequim is worthwhile a visit during holiday season. We will tell you all about Christmas traditions and Sequim Holiday Bazaars in our next Sequim Vacation blog post.
p.s.
Don't miss our Lake Crescent photos taken by our guests from Texas during their 2008 fall vacation in Sequim.

Tags: Sequim, Sequim vacation, Hurricane Ridge, Olympic National Park, Best of Sequim

Lake Crescent Photos

Dear Sequim Vacation blog visitors,

After we made all these promises about starting a Sequim photo series , we must admit that we are running behind schedule. Well, economic situation has become top talking topic in Sequim as everywhere else. In addition, October has blessed all of the residents on the Olympic Peninsula with an amazing Indian summer. Who wants to sit at the computer and download Sequim vacation photos when the sun over the Olympic Mountains is sparkling and invites to hiking and biking the great outdoors?

Today, the skies were gray for the first time in 1 1/2 weeks and we even had some sprinkles. I went picking some more raspberries. Yes, believe it or not. It's a late kind. I even pick my raspberry bushes at the house when I walk to the mail box. The deer don't seem to eat the fruits on their nightly walks in the area but they like any new green sprouts coming up somewhere, including raspberry sprouts. Keoki's invention of 'hiding' the bushes behind a number of fishing lines don't seem to scare the deer too much.


Speaking of Indian summer. Sunday was a great time to enjoy the Olympic National Park and sharing the beauty of the Park with our good friends from Germany. One of our favorite spots, as said in the past, is an outing to magnificent Crescent Lake. How surprised were we that the Crescent Lake Lodge was already locked up for winter season and the parking area was totally empty. Well, we still parked there by the Lodge. I guess official parking is somewhere else, as we met quite a number of hikers on our walk to Marymere Waterfalls. First time that we had not taken a lunch picnic and had counted on having a delicious lunch at the Lake Crescent Lodge.

After we included a few of Ron's photos on the Sequim Dungeness post, we finally pick up our joint photo project with our guests Ron and Mary Nell.

Here is the Part 1 of our Sequim Vacation photos - Lake Crescent photos. Enjoy the views of this beautiful lake a short drive from Port Angeles.
p.s.
Photos of hike to Marymere Waterfall coming soon.

Tags: Sequim vacation, Sequim, travel, vacation, Sequim photos

Sequim Restaurant

The Dungeness River Festival was a great success for Sequim. Residents and Sequim visitors had a good time. What else is new in Sequim? Sequim Town blog just received this email from a favorite Sequim restaurant of ours, Cedar Creek located in 5th Avenue across from SARC.

Congratulations Cedar Creek to your 2nd anniversary. You made this restaurant a success with your commitment to Sequim town and the residents of Sequim! We decided to publish your entire email with the exciting news for us, people who live in Sequim, and the visitors who come with retirement thoughts in mind for a Sequim vacation.

"Hello all; well it is official, fall is here.
Beginning this week, Cedar Creek will now be offering 3 new price conscious promotions.

Monday is Locals Night: We will be offering a selection of premium Wines and Delicious Appetizers for half price 5-8 pm.

All You Can Eat Pizza and Pasta Wednesdays: Our chefs have put together a special menu featuring: Hand Cut Fresh Fettuccini with a choice of homemade meatballs & marinara, roast chicken Alfredo, or grilled vegetables with smoked tomato sauce plus a selection of white pie, Margharita, and pepperoni with roast garlic. Both the pasta and the pizzas by the slice are ALL YOU CAN EAT for $18.50. Additionally we will be offering a nice Italian red and white wine for $5.00 glass or $19.00 bottle. Bring a group or the whole family for this midweek feast. Served from 5-8 pm.

Old Fashioned Friday Night Fish Fry: If you have every ventured into a restaurant in the Midwest on a Friday, especially Northern Illinois where Chef Doug is from, you will find fish fry as that night’s special. We will be serving Wild Alaskan True Cod (simply broiled with lemon or lightly fried in our own freshly milled cornmeal batter) accompanied by potato pancakes, fresh sweet corn and a basket of Bell Street Bakery Bread. Includes a choice of mixed green salad or clam chowder for $18.50. Served from 5-9 pm. We hope to have a shipment of everyone’s favorite. Fresh! Never Frozen! Alaskan King Crab Legs very soon as well.

Saturday and Sunday Brunch: We are continuing our weekend brunch, featuring Traditional Eggs Benedict, Smoked Salmon Benedict, Autumn Vegetable Frittata, "Italian Toast," Fresh Scones, Mimosas and More. Served ala’ carte from 10-3 pm

End of The Open Aire Market: October 18 marks the last market for this year. A special thanks to everyone who came out to support us in this endeavor. As you all know we chose the market to showcase our upcoming Bell Street Bakery’s products and the response has been overwhelming. We have subsequently decided to make bread and pastries available Saturdays at Cedar Creek from 10-3 pm. We will not be at the October 11 market, and as a reminder our breads remain available at Sunny Farms every day except Tuesdays and Saturdays.

Bakery Update: Our deck oven is scheduled to arrive this Wednesday October 8^th; this means we are getting close! If you have driven by lately you have surely seen the progress. We are hoping to begin wholesale production by mid-November. The groundbreaking for the second retail building should be very soon. We anticipate its opening sometime in late winter/early spring.

Olympic Medical Center Gala: The restaurant will be closed Saturday October 11 as we cater for the 3 consecutive year the annual winemaker’s dinner at Sunland. All the proceeds go to support the Thomas Family Cancer Center here in Sequim.

Boy’s and Girl’s Club Auction: November 15th. This Year Cedar Creek will cater the annual auction at The Boy’s and Girl’s Club (menu attached). We look forward to making this the best year yet. The club plays a vital role in our community and we are honored to be involved. For tickets and or information please contact Stacy at 683-8095. The restaurant will be closed that day to prepare for the event. We will also be closed the following week from November 16 – 21 for kitchen maintenance. We will reopen Saturday the 22 at 5pm for dinner.

Happy Anniversary! Cedar Creek turns two Friday October 17 a special thanks to our local guests who have supported us and made this possible. We will be making a few seasonal changes to our menu next week including Wild Boar Osso Bucco, Game Bird Trilogy (Grilled Quail, Crispy Duck & Pheasant Sausage), and Butternut Squash Risotto.

Thanks again, we hope to see you soon. The Gang of Cedar Creek."

Next post, we will start our Sequim Photo project. Ron and Mary Nell from Texas are sharing lots of Sequim vacation photos with our Sequim Town blog visitors.

Tags: Sequim, travel, vacation, best restaurant

Dungeness River Festival

After our good news for potential Sequim residents that Sequim got listed as one of the Best Retirement Towns by the Water, let's see what is happening this weekend in Sequim. Everybody who visits Sequim or lives in Sequim as attracted by the Dungeness River. If you are around this September weekend 9/26 + 9/27/08, come and visit the Dungeness River Festival.

What is it what attracts us most to Dungeness River? The people of Clallam County community of Sequim, Carlsborg and Dungeness love the river, the wildlife and beautiful scenery around it. We love to walk along the Dungeness or just stop on the Railroad Bridge at Audubon Center to take in the beautiful scenery watching the running river and listening to nature before we continue on our walk or bike ride along the Olympic Discovery Trail.

The River Center, River Center Foundation Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe and Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society are hosting the event from 10am to 4pm Friday and Saturday at Railroad Bridge Park, Hendrickson Rd. Admission is free. The 2-day festival is not only celebrating nature and the great outdoors but educates and entertains visitors and residents of all ages. Come and join us at the Dungeness River. You might be lucky and spot some salmons in the river. See you at the River tomorrow. We will be there with our bikes!
p.s.
This Sequim blog post includes the first photos taken by our new friends, Ron and Mary Nell from Texas, on their recent Sequim Vacation. They fell in love at first sight with Sequim and its beautiful scenery of the Olympic Mountains and the Straits of Juan de Fuca. Our blog visitors will get a chance to read and see what Ron and Mary Nell did on their Sequim vacation. Thanks guys for allowing us to use your photos!

If you plan a Sequim Vacation or buying real estate in the Sequim area because you want to move to Sequim, come back for more beautiful Sequim photos from Ron!

Tags: Sequim, Travel, Vacation, Olympic Peninsula, Olympic Discovery Trail

Best Retirement Towns by the Water

Just a short notice today that Sequim advances on list of best retirement towns! Our friends from Hawaii who follow our new life in Sequim on our Sequim Vacation blog, recently told us that Sequim is listed on Wallet Pop on their 'Road Map to Retirement 2008' as Number 3 of '6 Top Towns on the Water':

"Many baby boomers dream of retiring somewhere by the water. These half-dozen places are on a lake, a river or an ocean -- yet they won't sink your retirement budget." This is what their site is stating about our favorite retirement town Sequim:

Pros: Water, mountains, culture and a small town all at once.
Cons: The Pacific is a tad nippy for a swim.
Located two hours north of Seattle, Sequim (pronounced skwim) offers a lower cost of living and an easier pace than its burgeoning neighbor to the south. For about $300,000, you can get a three-bedroom house there. Read more about Sequim as a retirement option on their site.

Happy to share this information with everybody who put Sequim on their list of best retirement towns. Come and see for yourself. Enjoy a Sequim Vacation combined with house hunting and stay with us at our Sequim Vacation Rental.

p.s.

Speaking of house hunting. Remember our post about the Sequim house for sale auction in Sun Meadows. The winning bidder got the house for $205,000. Congratulations! That was one happy bidder!

Tags: Sequim, travel, vacation, best retirement town, vacation rental

Sequim Home for Sale Auction

We just made it back from a short vacation to the LA area to visit family, Keoki's sister and my niece and families. We had a great time but are happy to be back home again and picking up on our exercise and swimming routine after SARC was closed for maintenance for 2 weeks. It's time to follow-up on our Sequim Vacation blog.

Sequim visitors can get a little lost with our shopping options in Sequim, so my original plan was to write a few shopping tips for Sequim visitors on vacation. Well, that was my intention till I found this morning this advertising on craigslist Olympic Peninsula Homes for Sale '$100,000 Sun Meadows Real Estate Auction (Sequim)'

I actually did not believe my eyes when the Sun Meadows house which our friends had tried to sell for Sale by Owner at $279,000 for over a year - they got two offers for $250,000, which they did not accept - is now up for auction at $100,000. I know the home owners had to move on into an assisted living home and just let go of the house.

I could not resist and called the phone number with the craigslist Sequim Home auction ad. I reached Carl Reed at Connect Realty who gave us auction info by email. The address of the property is America Blvd. in Sun Meadows of Sequim. Interested buyers can inspect the home from 10:00am to 5:00pm both this Saturday and Sunday. The auction will be will be a 'round-robin auction' by phone.

To be honest we both never heard of such an auction. Anyways, everyone interested in the auction will need to leave an initial bid at the home, or by phone for those out of state, during the inspection period. The real estate company will be calling everyone who left an initial bid at 8:00pm on Sunday and giving them an opportunity to advance the high bid. This process will continue in round-robin fashion until only one bidder is left. That bidder will be given the opportunity to purchase the home at the high bid price.

I don't know whether this will turn out as the super deal for a cheap house in Sequim but we are very curious what the final price for this Sequim home will be. If you want to see the house online and lots of photos, we still have it on our website (second listing) Sequim Home for Sale by Owner, Sun Meadows, Near John Wayne Marina. Good luck, if you are entering this Sequim home for sale auction.

Last but not least, if you are looking for a unique upscale luxury Sequim house, don't miss our post Sequim Home. Again, we are not realtors but just regular people who love Sequim and like to help friends who are selling their Sequim home. For all those who look for real estate in Sequim, it's a buyer's market!

Tags: Sequim, Vacation, Travel, Real Estate, Sequim Home for Sale

Sequim Home

Ever since we have moved to Sequim, exploring this town and its splendid surroundings plus meeting new friends has been a top priority in our daily Sequim life. As we told our Sequim blog visitors, the easiest way to make new friends is at SARC Sequim Aquatic Recreation Center. First it's just saying hello and then it's more talk and finally, and after that, it's having the new friends over for dinner and playing some cards.

This is how we met Beate and Jesse several months ago, who had originally moved from California to Sequim. Recently, they told us that they miss their children and grandchildren, which are all still living in the CA area. Going back and forth does not seem to be an option for them anymore.


Now, their biggest project is letting go of and selling their beautiful Sequim house. As we did in the past with other Sequim Homes for Sale by Owner, we told them we are happy to help and share the house information with our Sequim town blog visitors. Most of Sequim visitors are looking for Sequim real estate as an investment for later or buying a house to retire in Sequim. So, Beate and Jesse invited us to a house tour...

Driving on a private country lane lead us into the large turnaround. The home welcomed us before we even entered it. Warm, old-fashioned with many flower baskets, yet modern, it made us admire the work of the Seattle architect who had designed it. We really wanted to settle into the hammock on the sunny porch and look at the mountains but our friends saw us, so we got ready for the house tour. We went inside and were surprised to find a formal entry hall as warm as any room. Light from everywhere. As ex-Hawaiians, we loved that! A fireplace can be lit right in the entry during the winter season.


From the house it's an easy walk to the Dungeness Spit, where committed hikers can approach the 5-mile hike to the Dungeness Lighthouse or paddle along the coast in a kayak. Jesse is a passionate fisherman and goes out with his 20ft boat to catch some big fish, as you can easily see from out photo. We were lucky as we got invited to a fresh catch dinner of King Salmon. What a treat! Jesse showed us his special place outside the house - pretty mosaic fish/vegetable cleaning trough - where he can prepare the fresh fish. Before having dinner, I went with Beate to pick some fresh berries from her organic garden for dinner dessert. So delicious! Keoki and Jesse played some pool downstairs in the guest quarters in the meantime.


My favorite place is the kitchen. Who minds having to cook while watching all that is going on outside through 3 large windows! Mt. Baker is an ever impressing sight with its snow-covered summit.

One sees the Dungeness lighthouse being dwarfed by humongous container vessels, and the cruise ships heading to Alaska which look like ghost ships all lit up when it gets dark. I liked the upstairs a lot also, but best of all coming down the elegant staircase made me feel like a queen. Yes, weird, but true.

And why would B & J want to move away from this? I guess dreams change, especially with the arrival of 3 grandkids too far away ...

Well, if you want to see more house photos, description in detail and all the inside and outside features of this Luxury Sequim Home go to Sequim Homes for Sale. For a house viewing appointment with Jesse and Beate, send us an email at Sequim Town blog and we happily connect you with them.

Related Sequim Real Estate Articles

Sequim Home for Sale in Sun Meadows

Sequim Home with a View

Sequim Home for Sale

Tags: Sequim, Real Estate, Sequim Home, Vacation, Sequim Home for Sale

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