Is Sequim Weather early Summer?

Today, we received an email from our friends, Ron and Mary-Nell from Texas, who love Sequim and their annual Sequim Vacation. Here is a short glimpse of their email:

"We really enjoyed the photos on your May 26 post. We were amazed to see people fishing at the park in shorts. Has this been a typical May with everything being so green and flowers blooming? I thought it would be still on the cool side but as we've been following the weather daily from down here it appears to have been a lovely month overall."

Yes, you are right to envy us. Ever since the Memorial Day Weekend (actually even much earlier) Sequim residents and visitors get spoilt by the most pleasant May weather in years. It's like an early summer! And according to this Sequim weather link from Ron, who watches Sequim weather carefully in order to know what weather he can expect when he will finally move to Sequim with his family, this stretch of nice weather will continue next week!

It's amazing how nice sunny weather can make people happy and feel good! Friday, we decided spontaneously to visit our favorite place in the Olympic Mountains, the Sol Duc Hot Springs. Before we settled down at the resort, we went for a walk to the Sol Duc Falls. On can't really call it a hike with it's one way 0.8 miles mostly level walk. We love this walk through the woods, admiring wild flowers, listening to the birds and taking a short break at the powerful falls.

Arriving at the Sol Duc Springs Resort, we noticed immediately the effect of the closure of the Hood Canal Bridge. At 11am we were almost the only visitors there. Later the Sequim Senior Center bus made it there but hardly anybody from Seattle. Businesses on the Olympic Peninsula are desperately waiting for the reopening of the Hood Canal Bridge. Latest we read in the Peninsula Daily News was June 11! Sequim vacation businesses will appreciate it.

Yesterday, the warm weather attracted lots of visitors to Carrie Blake Park for their popular annual dog show, the playgrounds, the ponds or just for a walk or a bike ride. Everybody having a good time!

Today, we headed with the bikes for the first time weat again on the Olympic Discovery Trail, past the Railroad Bridge - Dungeness River had lots of melting water from the mountains - and past Carlsborg till Kitchen Dick where we turned around after a 40-min. bike ride. Best part when going west on the Olympic Discovery Trail are the amazing mountain views of the Olympics. You may see mountains which one cannot see from Sequim, and all still covered in snow sparkling white against the blue skies! Lots of bikers enjoyed the trail like us.

The most impressive picture caught our eye when entering the Discovery Trail passage to the Railroad Bridge through an Eagle Habitat. There they were: two bald eagles perching on the highest branches of the tree with no leaves around looking out for their prey. Those are the moments when you say "Why didn't I bring my camera?!" Next time we will. Hope the eagles will be there then.

Tags: Sequim weather, best weather in Sequim, Sequim vacation

Sequim Vacation Roundup May with Photos

Welcome back to our Sequim Vacation blog. After our short update on the Sequim Irrigation Festival in May, let's talk vacation and the favorite topic weather. Sequim weather has been quite pleasant in May and attracted lots of visitors to the Olympic Peninsula for a short vacation on the extended Memorial Day weekend.

I was suprised though to read in the Peninsula Daily News that a number of visitors got stuck at the Hood Canal Bridge and were not to happy to find the bridge closed. I can imagine that they did not know before departure but how they could have missed all the signs along the road, is still a mystery to me.

When we drove back from Seatac Airport to Sequim a week ago, we noticed lots of signs 'Hood Canal Bridge is closed' along the Hwy. BTW, it took us about 3hrs to drive to Sequim on Hwy 101 from Olympia. It's a very scenic drive but long. I expect visitors to the Peninsula still waiting till the bridge is open again on 6/15/09.

Not only Sequim visitors enjoyed the beautiful weather on Memorial Day Weekend. Sequim residents were out and about, in Carrie Blake Park, biking and walking the Olympic Discovery Trail or visiting the Juan de Fuca festival in Port Angeles. To watch the wild life in Carrie Blake Park, which is a short 3 min. walk from our house, was especially fun this time. Three Canadian geese families took their new fuzzy babies for a first swim on the pond, where the model boaters had a boat race. Well, no collision occurred!

Kids were having fun at the pond too. I watched how two boys caught each a decent size fish. The park allows kids in company of their parents to try their luck fishing in the pond. Here is a photo of one of these lucky boys.

Well, let's not forget that it was Memorial Day Weekend. Sequim Sunrise Rotary had been busy preparing this holiday to remember soldiers who died in the service for their country. Rotary volunteers had displayed American flags all along E.Spruce St.and E.Fir St. Here is a photo of their work.

Last but not least, The German Restaurant 'Sauerkraut', which opened about 1 mo. ago, enjoys many satisfied visitors like our friends Gail and Tyke from Sun Meadows eating Bratwurst with Sauerkraut and Sauerbraten and a delicious cinnamon bun for dessert.

Anything you want to share about Sequim or Sequim vacation, please, leave a comment. Your questions are most welcome too.

Tags: Sequim, Vacation in Sequim, Olympic Discovery Trail, Best of Sequim

Parades,parades and a Yellow rubber duck race

Wow..wasn't that a great Irrigation parade we had in Sequim this past weekend. I tell you, for a small town, Sequim knows how to party. The turnout was outstanding despite the Hood canal bridge being out.

Well if you missed that parade or you just like parades go on down the road to the seaside town of Port Townsend and catch their Rhododendron Festival Grand parade this Saturday, the 16th, starting at 1pm.

If you are not into another parade try the Rubber Duck Race in Port Angeles on Sunday. You still have time to make your purchase of a rubber duck and the chance to win the grand prize of a new Toyoda Tundra truck. The proceeds go to the Olympic Medical Center Foundation. The event starts at 11:30 at 1902 Marine Drive. Food and entertainment will be provided.

And last but not least, if you are in Sequim on Saturday our weekly Sequim Open Aire Market is now open, on Cedar St just off Sequim Ave, from 9am to 3pm. Lee Tyler Post will perform with a selection of blues and rock from 11am til 2pm. Come out and buy local.

Our next big event is the Lavendar Festival check here for last years post.

Sequim Advertising

Welcome Sequim Business owners to our Sequim Town Blog

Our Sequim Town blog visitors would like to hear about your Sequim business. Why not introduce yourself and your Sequim business? A lot of our Sequim blog visitors are interested in Sequim vacation, Sequim Real Estate, Sequim Lavender and just anything which is referring to daily life in Sequim and moving to Sequim. Sequim weather is another big issue of interest and of course our famous blue hole, which unfortunately there are no Sequim businesses related to it. Sequim Town blog offers NOW very affordable online advertising for your Sequim business:

Blog Ad Option 1 - Paid Sequim Town Post at One time $20

Write an article about your Sequim business and what you think why it is important to Sequim residents and visitors on Sequim vacation. Elaborate a bit about Sequim and your business, so Google will have an easy way to pick it up in their Sequim town search results. You may link to your City of Sequim business URL anywhere in your article. We will tell our Sequim blog visitors that the article is a paid advertising

Blog Ad Option 2 - Logo Ad on Sidebar from $12/mo.

Our Sequim blog visitors are mainly consisting of people who are planning a visit to Sequim, moving to Sequim or buy Sequim real estate and are researching Sequim accommodations, homes for sale, hotels, activities, events, restaurants, best shopping and places to see in Sequim and on the Olympic Peninsula. This is a great opportunity to promote your Sequim business. Your logo ad will be displayed in the top of the right sidebar. May may choose your Sequim business photo logo. It's a 3-mo. min. for your logo link at $45. Save $60 when signing up for 1 year at $120/yr.

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Our Sequim Town blog ranks #1 in Google for 'Sequim Town' search in addition to other top rankings such as: 'Moving to Sequim', 'Visit Sequim', 'Sequim Vacation' and many more. We have written over 100 Sequim town blog posts. So each time blog visitors find our blog in a search result, they will see your logo ad. Your article may also have the chance for inclusion on our page 'Popular Articles'. Submit your request by email with subject 'Sequim business advertising'.

We are happy to work with Sequim business owners. Thank you for your interest in advertising with Sequim Town Blog.

Tags: Sequim, Sequim business

Sequim Vacation Roundup April with Photos

Our recent Sequim town blog post Sequim WA or Santa Rosa CA got quite some attention. Wasn't that an interesting post for all those guys who consider moving to Sequim ? Hope you also had a peek at Keoki's Easy Stretch DVD. Come attend his stretch class at SARC or buy the DVD for home use or as a wonderful health present for family and friends, instead of cookies or chocolate. They will love you for it!

So, what's new in little Sequim town when you come here for your spring vacation?


114th Irrigation Festival

Sequim is getting ready for its first big festival in May. Sequim town will celebrate 114th Irrigation Festival from May 2 - 10th. As the Hood Canal Bridge will be closed at that time, we will have to see how many of the Seattle folks will find their way to Sequim with the detour through Olympia.

Sequim Library

The newly renovated Sequim Library in Sequim Ave will have a gala community celebration Sat April 25 1pm - 4pm. New paint, carpeting, furniture or equipment with cozy chairs for reading + comfortable study chairs. We can't wait to be back at our old 'new' Sequim library, third best hangout for senior citizens in Sequim after SARC and the Senior Center.

Sequim Gardens

Sequim Prarie Garden Club will hold its annual Spring Plant Sale at Pionier Park Clubhouse from 9am - noon on April 25. Plants for sale will include: annuals, perennials, herbs and veggie starters.

Sequim Fitness

Anytime Fitness has recently opened at our new Sequim market place 'Rock Plaza', located across from the entrance to Henery's Nursery. New members can visit at staffed hours Mo - Fr 9am - 6pm Sat 10am - 1pm or just use their membership card for anytime fitness 24hrs with video security around the clock. I didn't think that Sequim needed another fitness in addition to Sequim Gym in Washington St and SARC in 5th Ave with everything a Sequim senior citizen can wish for. But it might give the working people a chance to do their workout at any time they are off work!

More shops in Sequim

We've got two new bakeries, one in W.Bell St and one in S.5th Ave, which we still need to check out for ourselves and our Sequim vacation blog visitors. Everybody has been waiting for the opening of the new German Deli 'Sauerkraut'. When I biked by last Sunday, the owner was still busy working. Looks like the grand opening will happen next week.


That's it for our Sequim Vacation Roundup April. Well, last but not least, an update on Sequim weather. April has delivered a wonderful sunny weather with tons of spring flowers and blossoms everywhere. And the weekly Sequim weather forecast shows sun each day!
p.s.
Here is a short Sequim Real Estate April update for our Sequim Real Estate hunters: sellers are getting more motivated. Even though when the price seems still too high to you, why not make an offer for what your are willing to pay. We have seen buyers being lucky. BTW, Wllow Creek lots are back down to a bargain deal of $59K!

Tags: Sequim, Sequim Vacation, Olympic Peninsula

Best Sequim Secret

Dear Sequim Town blog visitors,

In our recent post 'Sequim WA or Santa Rosa CA?' we mentioned SARC as a big incentive or secret to move to Sequim. SARC or the Sequim Aquatic Recreational Center is one of the main reasons we actually moved from Hawaii to Sequim. On our Sequim Vacation in fall of 2005, we heard to many good things about this Sequim fitness center with swimming pool, that we had to check it out then and there. The facility and the affordable annual membership fees made huge impression on us!

We were regular tennis players, bikers, walkers and swimmers and of course, stretchers in Hawaii. When moving to Sequim, we experienced seasons again and the need to have an indoor facility for exercise and swimming for rainy days. Having taught stretching in Hawaii for over 15 years, I naturally applied at SARC as a stretch class instructor and began teaching a class in July 2006.

My Easy Stretch program has been well received with many students buying my Easy Stretch video, so they can do the stretching and guided relaxation also at home. If you want to become a happy Easy Stretcher and live in the Sequim town area, I invite you to join our Easy Stretch class at SARC in Sequim.

You may visit our Hawaii site to order the DVD through Payl Pal's secure server Now. If you prefer the old-fashioned way, we accept your personal check as well.  Please, email us.

Stretch with Keoki for optimal health and well-being! See a short part of the Easy Stretch DVD on youtube.

Tags: sequim, best of sequim, SARC in Sequim, stretching for health, Easy Stretch DVD Sequim, Stretch DVD

Sequim WA or Santa Rosa CA?

Dear Sequimtown blog visitors,

Most of our regular blog readers are following our Sequim articles because when contemplating moving to Sequim for good, one wants to know as many details about the town and area where you intend to live before making a serious commitment like buying a new home in Sequim. Believe us we know better than anybody else because we moved from Hawaii to Sequim!

This week, we received another one of those emails from somebody who had heard about Sequim and is now wondering about all kinds of things: why we chose Sequim and not Bellingham or PortTownsend, what we like in Sequim, what we don't like and much more. We published Jack's email with his permission as a comment on our recent post 'Get Ready for your Sequim Vacation'. Before continuing reading this article, you might want to visit that post and read Jack's entire comment.

We decided to answer a number of Jack's questions in this post, which we called ' Sequim WA or Santa Rosa CA?'

Why Sequim and not Port Townsend or Bellingham?

Jack believe us we studied many WA weather charts, average temperature and rain fall by month and year of all the places in WA we had considered and Sequim with its location in the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains came up with the least rain and the most moderate climate.

Are we missing cultural events of big town living?

Well, we have lived in Hawaii for many years in a peaceful, rural countryside, in a small town community (actually very similar to Sequim) in the most wonderful setting surrounded by rolling hills, snow covered volcanoes and white sand beaches a short 10-minute drive away. When in Honolulu, we longed to be back home! Now you can imagine how small Sequim town perfectly matched our expectations with its wonderful location and scenery between mountains and ocean. There are lots of cultural events happening on the Peninsula, just on a smaller scale. The big city, Seattle, is a short 2 hr drive away for those who want to be there occasionally.

Is Santa Rosa a better place to live than Sequim?

It all depends what you are looking for. I did not know many facts about Santa Rosa, so I checked Google and found a lot of answers about Santa Rosa like the number of residents in 2007 was 157,985 compared to 5000 in Sequim, and the annual rainfall is 30 inches compared to 12 inches in Sequim. CA homes were on the high end when we looked at homes in CA and even now that prices came down, they are still too inflated (just like Hawaii home prices) to attract retired people on a fixed income. Well, if home prices are not an issue and you don't mind higher temperatures above 90 F or big town living, Santa Rosa might be the way to go for you.

Bottom line: Nobody and no place is perfect! There is no perfect weather, not even in Hawaii, which got too hot for us when getting older. And global warming will probably change a lot of weather patterns around the world. So make sure that you live in a likable community with friendly people, amenities and activities you like!

What we like in Sequim

We like the unique location between mountains and ocean.

We like small town living with big town amenities (from Costco to WalMart etc.)

We like the moderate weather. Milder winters and not so hot summers.

We like the outdoor activities such as walking, hiking, biking and more.

We like Sequim's friendly people.

We love SARC Sequim Aquatic Recreational Center. Best reason to move here!

What we don't like

When not used to seasons, the winter months, moderate or not, can stretch a bit. Hawaii, Palm Springs and Phoenix AZ are great options for getting away for a month or two to break the winter spell.

Moving to another place and whether Sequim is right for you, is all about finding out about your own priorities and expectations and then find the best possible match for you! Best way to find out whether Sequim is a match, come visit Sequim for a vacation!

Tags: Sequim, Olympic Peninsula, Sequim vacation, Moving to Sequim, Best of sequim

Get Ready for your Sequim Vacation

Hello again to all our Sequim Town blog visitors,
We just made it back from our vacation in Hawaii to celebrate Keoki's 70th birthday with family and friends there. In addition to the birthday, our vacation in Hawaii was wonderful. It was an interesting feeling though to be a visitor in Hawaii watching life go by much slower and pay close attention to the weather, not any different to visitors who come to Sequim on vacation.


Coming back home to WA, Seattle had a big surprise for us. We thought it was an April Fool's Day joke. It was snowing big time! Driving out of Seattle with heavy traffic was challenging and took all our attention. After Leaving Tacoma behind, snow turned into rain and rain eased into a drizzle. Time to relax again. The rest of our way to Sequim was fine. Sequim welcomed us with a gray, overcast sky, but no rain. Next day though, Sequim showed itself from its best side with the sun breaking through the clouds occasionally - our beloved blue hole! So, we told everybody that we brought the sun from Hawaii to Sequim.


Ever since our return to little Sequim town last week, we have enjoyed wonderful Sequim Spring weather this April. Daffodils and primroses are blooming, birds are singing everywhere, trees and bushes have lots of buds ready for Sequim spring. Most impressive are the cherry blossom trees everywhere. Sequim is not only the capital of lavender but of Cherry Blossom trees. We should really have a Cherry Blossom Festival in addition to the Irrigation Festival in May and the Lavender Festival in July! I am still going on a photo hunt for Cherry Blossom trees in Sequim.


To all our Sequim blog readers, who are looking to buy property in Sequim, come vsit Sequim, the Olympic Peninsula and the Olympic Mountains just as we did in Fall 2005. There are great Sequim real estate bargains to have, homes and lots! So watch the Sequim Real Estate carefully and stretch out your feelers, you might just find the special place matching your budget and expectations to live in Sequim.

For all the retired people, who can go on a monthly vacation to Sequim, we offer a great monthly stay at our private, peaceful 1Bd/1Ba Sequim Vacation Rental apartment at SPECIAL rate of $950/mo. for April, May and June for top amenities (such as free WiFi and free long distance calls) and premier location. Regular monthly rates for fully furnished places in Sequim are starting at $1200/mo. You will fall in love with Sequim just as we did. Happy Easter to all our Sequim Town Blog visitors!

IMPORTANT REMINDER:

When you plan your Sequim vacation for May and June, please, read our post on the Closing of the Hood Canal Bridge during this period.

Tags: Sequim, Sequim vacation, Sequim real estate deals

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