Looking forward to seeing you at our next year's 122nd Sequim Irrigation Festival.
Sunday, May 15, 2016
Photos from the Sequim Irrigation Festival 2016
The entire week we had the nicest summer weather in Sequim. Then Sequim Irrigation Festival weekend with the Grand Parade comes up and the weather changed totally around. It did not take away the spirit and enthusiasm of Sequim residents and visitors. Have a look for yourselves at the Downtown Sequim Parade in Washington Street:
Monday, May 09, 2016
Sequim started its 121st Irrigation Festival
When Washington's longest running festival started Friday May 6th in Sequim, I was right there 'downtown' - not that Sequim visitors can get lost in our downtown area! I was actually going for one of my visits to the Sequim Gym, when I noticed the many tents already set up across Washington Street for the Saturday Farmer's Market with arts and crafts and many green veggies in pots - some still teeny tiny and others nice, big and juicy looking ready for harvesting.
Photo of cherry blossom trees in Sequim before the Irrigation Festival
For more information on the festival events this week, visit IrrigationFestival or SequimGazette. The Grand Finale Weekend this week includes the carnival, Sequim History Walking Tour, Logging Show, Truck and Tractor Pull, golf tournament and more. My favorites are the Fireworks on Friday night May 13th 9:30pm and the Grand Parade the next day May 14th 12 noon - 2pm.
Get an impression of the Grand Parade with our Sequim photos from previous parades:
Tuesday, January 12, 2016
To all our Sequim visitors 'Happy New Year 2016'
Happy Healthy New Year
May all your plans moving to Sequim work out the way they are supposed to
The early morning sun is hitting the clouds building up behind the Olympic Mountains.
A few minutes later the sky cleared up and the snow on Hurricane Ridge - our most visited sight on the Olympic Peninsula - sparkles in the sun.
Sun rise view from Sequim over another part of the Olympics - a feature which every home seller likes to list. The ever changing sun shine and cloud cover make the mountain views unique and special. We prefer those over the water views.
Sequim Town blog loves to hear from you. We are happy to answer your questions about a vacation in Sequim, life on the Olympic Peninsula, moving here, anything beyond our categories on the side bar. Scroll down the list: Sequim Relocation Resources, Moving to Sequim, Vacation rentals and B&Bs, Sequim Hotels, Vacation Highlights and more and you will find a lot of answers about Sequim.
Monday, December 28, 2015
Lucky we live in Sequim
Dear Sequim town blog visitors,
We can't believe it, our 10th anniversary of our life in Sequim is coming up on January 12th 2016. Time to celebrate! For all those of you who seriously consider to move to the Olympic Peninsula now or in the near future, let us tell you, we never regretted the move here one bit. Reading the news about nasty weather reports like tornadoes, snow storms, floods, icy roads and more in states like Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico make us even feel better. Visit Sequim, check it out and make your decision. We welcome new arrivals on a daily basis. Realtors are happy about the 'rush'.
We are closing the old year 2015 with some good news. In February the rain and high winds from a passing through storm damaged the Railroad Bridge at Dungeness River Auduborn Center and resulted in the closure of the bridge. As the bridge is part of the Olympic Discovery Trail and is frequently used by Sequim residents - we love our bikes past Sequim Airport to Robin Hill Park - and visiting bikers as well, the closure caused lots of inconvenience and detours. After about a 10th month waiting, the new bridge is completed (see my photos from Christmas Day). There will be a Grand Opening of Railroad Bridge steel truss trestle on December 30th at 1pm at the Railroad Bridge Park. See you there!
Another big event negatively affecting the lives of hundreds of active, health oriented Sequim senior citizens happened when our beloved SARC Sequim Aquatic Recreation Center closed at the beginning of November - totally unexpected, we were promised by the board members that SARC will stay open at least till August 2016. Prior to the closure we attended a final meeting at the City Hall about the necessary closure. Hearing that SARC was working on its last reserves of about $20K(!), we were totally shocked and especially surprised when people in charge did not take responsibility for the failure by resigning from their position. This failure did not happen from one day to the next. No private business could have done that.
To cut a long story short, after lots of discussions and meetings of all the different entities - such as Clallam County, City of Sequim, Olympic Medical Center, Sequim High School - which realize how important SARC is to the healthy life styles of Sequim residents is, finally joined forces and a solution for SARC's reopening is in sight. Please, follow the discussions at the Sequim Gazette and at the Peninsula Daily News We are all very happy that a reopening of SARC has become feasible but we are very disappointed about the set time frame for July 2016. Til' then we signed up for two different gyms: Anytime Fitness offers AARP members (United Health) an affordable alternative but I signed up with the general affordable fees of Sequim Gym. Last but no least, forget about doing your swimming at the William Shore Pool in Port Angeles - they raised the daily fees FOR SEQUIM RESIDENTS from $3.50 to $10.50, which we consider totally unethical because the majority of Sequim residents are seniors on a fixed income.
We are looking forward to reuniting with all our kindred spirit Sequim friends at SARC soon.
We can't believe it, our 10th anniversary of our life in Sequim is coming up on January 12th 2016. Time to celebrate! For all those of you who seriously consider to move to the Olympic Peninsula now or in the near future, let us tell you, we never regretted the move here one bit. Reading the news about nasty weather reports like tornadoes, snow storms, floods, icy roads and more in states like Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico make us even feel better. Visit Sequim, check it out and make your decision. We welcome new arrivals on a daily basis. Realtors are happy about the 'rush'.
New Railroad Bridge
We are closing the old year 2015 with some good news. In February the rain and high winds from a passing through storm damaged the Railroad Bridge at Dungeness River Auduborn Center and resulted in the closure of the bridge. As the bridge is part of the Olympic Discovery Trail and is frequently used by Sequim residents - we love our bikes past Sequim Airport to Robin Hill Park - and visiting bikers as well, the closure caused lots of inconvenience and detours. After about a 10th month waiting, the new bridge is completed (see my photos from Christmas Day). There will be a Grand Opening of Railroad Bridge steel truss trestle on December 30th at 1pm at the Railroad Bridge Park. See you there!
New riverbed of the Dungeness River
Location of Dungeness River before storm
Another big event negatively affecting the lives of hundreds of active, health oriented Sequim senior citizens happened when our beloved SARC Sequim Aquatic Recreation Center closed at the beginning of November - totally unexpected, we were promised by the board members that SARC will stay open at least till August 2016. Prior to the closure we attended a final meeting at the City Hall about the necessary closure. Hearing that SARC was working on its last reserves of about $20K(!), we were totally shocked and especially surprised when people in charge did not take responsibility for the failure by resigning from their position. This failure did not happen from one day to the next. No private business could have done that.
To cut a long story short, after lots of discussions and meetings of all the different entities - such as Clallam County, City of Sequim, Olympic Medical Center, Sequim High School - which realize how important SARC is to the healthy life styles of Sequim residents is, finally joined forces and a solution for SARC's reopening is in sight. Please, follow the discussions at the Sequim Gazette and at the Peninsula Daily News We are all very happy that a reopening of SARC has become feasible but we are very disappointed about the set time frame for July 2016. Til' then we signed up for two different gyms: Anytime Fitness offers AARP members (United Health) an affordable alternative but I signed up with the general affordable fees of Sequim Gym. Last but no least, forget about doing your swimming at the William Shore Pool in Port Angeles - they raised the daily fees FOR SEQUIM RESIDENTS from $3.50 to $10.50, which we consider totally unethical because the majority of Sequim residents are seniors on a fixed income.
We are looking forward to reuniting with all our kindred spirit Sequim friends at SARC soon.
Sunday, October 18, 2015
Moving to Sequim Olympic Peninsula
Relocating to Sequim on the Olympic Peninsula has become a very attractive idea for many vacationers who spent a vacation in Sequim this summer 2015 for different reasons:
Why moving to Sequim?
Baby boomers are looking for the perfect place to retire...
Sequim offers the most moderate weather: mild winters & moderate summers
No EXTREMES!
Tired of living in a big city?
Sequim located between the Olympic Mountains and the Straits of Juan de Fuca
offers country living with the amenities of big town box stores like Costco,
Walmart, Home Depot, Pennies and more.
Housing
There is a wide range of homes, condos, manufactured homes available at a
reasonable price compared to the rest of the nation.
Taxes
There is no income tax! But sales tax of a bit over 8% on all non-food purchases
can add up easily. Property tax is a little over 1% of assessed value.
Utilities
The City of Sequim provides water, sewer, electricity by PUD and trash pickup
within city limits. Be aware that private wells and septic systems in rural areas
in the Dungeness Valley can be a costly expense for construction and maintenance.
Employment
Sequim is foremost a retirement town with needs for tourism, recreation and health
care. There is plenty of work to do for handy men, gardeners, yard & house
work or nurses and nurses aids for home care or in rehab or assisted living
facilities. Experienced realtor companies always look for independent co- workers www.clallam.org
Education
Sequim High School offers quality education till 12th grade. Peninsula College
offers adult classes in Sequim and Port Angeles.
Churches
The over 20 churches in Sequim represent most of the major denominations.
The Sequim churches are a center for many social events around the year.
Fitness Clubs & Golf Clubs
Sequim senior citizens love an active life-style socializing with retired friends at SARC, Sequim Gym or Any Time Fitness . Sequim residents may play golf in
Sunland on the weekends or at any time at the 7- cedars resort golf course. See
We love to answer your personal questions about 'Moving to Sequim' right here on the Sequim Town Blog when we feel our answer will be helpful for the big Move!
Sunday, August 09, 2015
Sequim Doubles Tennis Tournament
The tournament is sponsored by the Peninsula Tennis Club with proceeds to the Sequim High School Scholarship Fund
Come enjoy a day of fast paced social doubles
WHEN: Saturday, September 12th, 2015 10 am -3 pm
(Rain date Sunday 9/13/15, noon til 5 pm)
Where: Sequim High School tennis courts.
Who: Men and Women, all skill levels, No set teams.
Format: Doubles format, but everyone enters individually
Cost: PTC Members, $10.00 and bring a snack
Non-Members, $12.50 and assigned snack
ENTER EARLY - LIMITED TO 30 PARTICIPANTS
CALL JULIEN AT 681-3301 TO ENTER & GET ASSIGNED SNACK
Thursday, July 16, 2015
Sequim Lavender Festival 2015
Welcome to all our visitor to the Sequim Lavender Festival 2015!
As usual Sequim residents get excited when the week of the festival is here. So here it is. Best news for the lavender growers, vendors and our Sequim visitors: the weather turned nice again with showing the fairly warm summer weather, which is much preferred to the unusual hot summer days in June and the beginning of July, which made the lavender bloom much earlier this year. No worries you will find still plenty of lavender to take home from Sequim with you.
What is new at this year's Lavender Festival?
***There won't be a Lavender Festival in the Park this year,
which we think is totally OK because the farm tours and the street fair will take all our visitors' attention anyways.
***Farm tours will be FREE this year! Seven great lavender farms are included in the tours.
***The Lavender Street Fair in Fir St will be the big attraction as usual with its abundance of stands by lavender growers and vendors of plenty of arts and crafts products. Not to forget plenty of food selection and entertainment will be available over the three day festival. Sequim is hosting the largest lavender event in North America. We are proud of it!
There will be fun for everyone. Come and and see!
As usual Sequim residents get excited when the week of the festival is here. So here it is. Best news for the lavender growers, vendors and our Sequim visitors: the weather turned nice again with showing the fairly warm summer weather, which is much preferred to the unusual hot summer days in June and the beginning of July, which made the lavender bloom much earlier this year. No worries you will find still plenty of lavender to take home from Sequim with you.
Purple Haze Lavender Farm
What is new at this year's Lavender Festival?
***There won't be a Lavender Festival in the Park this year,
which we think is totally OK because the farm tours and the street fair will take all our visitors' attention anyways.
***Farm tours will be FREE this year! Seven great lavender farms are included in the tours.
***The Lavender Street Fair in Fir St will be the big attraction as usual with its abundance of stands by lavender growers and vendors of plenty of arts and crafts products. Not to forget plenty of food selection and entertainment will be available over the three day festival. Sequim is hosting the largest lavender event in North America. We are proud of it!
There will be fun for everyone. Come and and see!
Impression of the street fair
Sunday, June 28, 2015
Olympic Discovery Trail at Railroad Bridge closed
Discovery Trail at Railroad Bridge
If you love biking and hiking the Discovery Trail leading through Sequim -
just as we do - you know by now that one of our big outdoor attractions, the
Railroad Bridge crossing the Dungeness River, got severely damaged by a big
winter storm in February 2015 and has been closed ever since.
Bikers and walkers lane up the bridge
View of Railroad Bridge still impressive
Damage to Olympic Discovery Trail in Sequim
James Town tribe is the owner of the Bridge and considers a short term or
long term plan for fixing the bridge. Alas, nothing has been done so far. We -
and probably many other residents and visitors - loved to bike beyond the
Railroad Bridge all the way to Robin Hill Park or just to Sequim Airport
watching small planes take off and land. Now our ride has become a short one
from Carrie Blake Park to the Railroad Bridge because the detour available via
Old Olympic Hwy is more for the serious bikers. Nevertheless we feel our blog is
a good place to list it in addition to the Olympic Discovery Trail site
Old Dungeness River Bed covered with trees
Damaged Railroad Bridge from high flood waters
Closed part of Railroad Bridge
Bikers' Detour to circumvent Railroad Bridge Closure
The route (east to west) leaves the trail in
Sequim at 5th Ave, goes north on 5th to Old Olympic Hwy, turns west across the
river on the Hwy bridge, then south on Heath Rd to rejoin the trail. See Trail Status
Visit to Railroad Bridge in Sequim
Old riverbed of Dungeness
Most parts of the bridge are still accessible
General Discovery Trail
Information
The route of the Olympic Discovery Trail (ODT)
traverses almost 130 miles of lowlands, bordered on the south by the Olympic
Mountain Range and on the north by the Strait of Juan de Fuca. It starts in Port
Townsend and ends on the shores of the Pacific Ocean. The trail is a wide, paved
pathway designed for bicyclists and hikers with a shoulder for equestrians where
appropriate.
The Olympic Peninsula is Washington State’s
premier destination for non-motorized touring, filled with views of snow capped
peaks, ocean vistas, fast flowing rivers and pristine lakes, and everywhere the
majestic forests of the Pacific Northwest. The presently completed trail winds
through fields and farms, parks and towns over creeks, rivers and ravines, past
beaches and national recreation areas.The trail exhibits a wide diversity of fauna and flora of
natural beauty.
Saturday, May 02, 2015
Sequim 120th Irrigation Festival
Hello again to all our Sequim town blog visitors,
The lovely month of May is here with spring blossoms everywhere. Ever since we moved to Sequim, we've fallen in love with its two big Festivals: the Lavender Festival in the middle of July with Lavender in the Park, Lavender Farm Tours and the most amazing Lavender products in the street market...
and the Sequim Irrigation Festival at the beginning of May starting today.
The Sequim Irrigation Festival is the oldest festival in WA state. It's held downtown Sequim with its tons of vendors and competitions in Carry Blake Park. The 2015 festival will be from May 1st through 10th under the motto "120 Fun a Plenty".
Among the many fun events of interest for you and the entire family are:
Family Fun Day Saturday, May 2, 2015, 9am – 5pm Washington Street between Sequim Avenue & 2nd Avenue Businesses and Non-profits from around Sequim will have booths along Washington Street and offer activities and events for kids and their families.
Kids Parade Saturday, May 2, 2015, 10am Downtown Sequim Parade for kids 12 years and younger. Prizes are awarded.
Sequim Arts Juried Art Show May 1 - 30, 2015 Reception during the First Friday Art Walk Location Sequim Museum and Arts Center Sequim Arts
Sequim Farmers Market Saturday, May 2, 2015, 9am - 3pm Corner of Washington Street and Sequim Avenue
Grand Finale Weekend Thursday, May 7, 2015 to Sunday, May 10, 2015
Logging Show, Truck and Tractor Pull Friday, May 8, 2015, noon - 10pm Saturday, May 9, 2015, 10am - 5
Fireworks Friday, May 8, 2015, 9:30pm Blake Avenue Lot - our favorite!
120th Irrigation Festival Grand Parade Saturday, May 9, 2015, Noon Downtown Sequim - our favorite!
We are lucky to live in sunny Sequim just as our current Sequim vacation rental guests are to be just 5 minutes away from all the fun events of the 120th Irrigation Festival. See you in town!
Sequim vacation rental - Peaceful & private location - 1Bd/1Ba w/FREE Wifi + long distance phone + cable TV
Walk through the Park - 5 minutes from Sequim vacation rental
Exhibition of drift wood sculptures available in the Park
The lovely month of May is here with spring blossoms everywhere. Ever since we moved to Sequim, we've fallen in love with its two big Festivals: the Lavender Festival in the middle of July with Lavender in the Park, Lavender Farm Tours and the most amazing Lavender products in the street market...
and the Sequim Irrigation Festival at the beginning of May starting today.
The Sequim Irrigation Festival is the oldest festival in WA state. It's held downtown Sequim with its tons of vendors and competitions in Carry Blake Park. The 2015 festival will be from May 1st through 10th under the motto "120 Fun a Plenty".
Among the many fun events of interest for you and the entire family are:
Family Fun Day Saturday, May 2, 2015, 9am – 5pm Washington Street between Sequim Avenue & 2nd Avenue Businesses and Non-profits from around Sequim will have booths along Washington Street and offer activities and events for kids and their families.
Kids Parade Saturday, May 2, 2015, 10am Downtown Sequim Parade for kids 12 years and younger. Prizes are awarded.
Sequim Arts Juried Art Show May 1 - 30, 2015 Reception during the First Friday Art Walk Location Sequim Museum and Arts Center Sequim Arts
Sequim Farmers Market Saturday, May 2, 2015, 9am - 3pm Corner of Washington Street and Sequim Avenue
Grand Finale Weekend Thursday, May 7, 2015 to Sunday, May 10, 2015
Logging Show, Truck and Tractor Pull Friday, May 8, 2015, noon - 10pm Saturday, May 9, 2015, 10am - 5
Fireworks Friday, May 8, 2015, 9:30pm Blake Avenue Lot - our favorite!
120th Irrigation Festival Grand Parade Saturday, May 9, 2015, Noon Downtown Sequim - our favorite!
We are lucky to live in sunny Sequim just as our current Sequim vacation rental guests are to be just 5 minutes away from all the fun events of the 120th Irrigation Festival. See you in town!
Sequim vacation rental - Peaceful & private location - 1Bd/1Ba w/FREE Wifi + long distance phone + cable TV
Walk through the Park - 5 minutes from Sequim vacation rental
Exhibition of drift wood sculptures available in the Park
Friday, December 26, 2014
Winter in Sequim 2014
Climate change in Sequim, yes or no?
We didn't have a White Christmas this 2014 winter, which we actually didn't during our 8 years living in Sequim. Remember Sequim is located in the 'Banana Belt' meaning even in winter temperatures in Sequim are mostly very moderate - hardly ever under zero - and the weather feels more springlike.
However, climate change seems to have caught up with Sequim this fall season. It was officially still 'Fall' season when the 'Arctic Vortex' had us in its frosty grip of temperatures between 30 F and 22 F. at the beginning of November. And 2 inches of powdered snow turned Sequim into a magical winter wonderland.
Believe it or not, the white scenery lasted at least a week before warm 'Chinook' winds took care of the snow and reminded Sequim residents and plants with temperatures around 60 - 66 F more of spring time than of upcoming winter.
Well let's see what Sequim weather will be like the first months of this new Year 2015.
For everybody, who is already planning their Sequim vacation for summer 2015, our fully equipped 1Bd/1Ba vacation apartment is available for monthly stays in Sequim at the same cheap 2014 rental rates. First available date is July 1st, 2015. Summer rate of $950 (dbl. occupancy). Remember July is the most desired vacation month in summer in Sequim because of the Lavender Festival 2015. We recommend to inquire early.
Happy, Healthy New Year 2015 to all our Sequim visitors!
Tuesday, October 07, 2014
Sequim weather in October
"What's the weather like in Sequim in September and October?"
Potential guests often ask us when making plans for a monthly Sequim visit at our vacation rental. We always give them the same answer: Next to the summer months July and August, September and October are beautiful fall months here on the Olympic Peninsula. Perfect for hiking the Olympics, visit Sol Duc Hot Springs, kayaking the Straits, joining other visitors on a whale watch boat trip or enjoy an outing to Seattle or Victoria B.C. on Vancouver Island.
p.s.
Thanks Erin & Kevin for your wonderful photos from the Pumpkin patch.
Saturday, August 30, 2014
Is Sequim the best town to retire in US?
Sequim best retirement city?
Yes, for us definitely. For all those who have followed our blog "Sequim Town" over the years or even for the many guests who stayed with us at our Sequim Vacation Rental over the last few years - by the way, an impressive 50% of those ended up moving to Sequim and live here now for good - this is nothing new.View from Bell Hill over Sequim Bay, the Straits and Cascade Mountains
But now the 'Huffington Post' and 'Fox News' individually named Sequim as best retirement city in the USA, which makes our little town really stand out among retirement options. However, we can't agree with all the reasoning of those two - like pot is now legal in WA and therefore in Sequim on the Olympic Peninsula, which might be the biggest attraction for some - we love best the closeness to the ocean (Straits de Juan de Fuca) and the mountains (Olympic National Park), the moderate temperatures all your round with a very average of annual rain fall between 12 - 15 inch. One can't beat small town living with big town amenities - Costco and WalMart on the top of shopping opportunities.
View over Sequim Valley, with the Straits and Mt.Maker in back
SARC Sequim Aquatic Recreational Center including modern work-out equipment, big variety of exercise classes, Olympic size swimming pool, steam and hot saunas and wonderful jacuzzi has become the morning meeting place for seniors, "competing' with our top notch Senior Center, to socialize and stay in best shape ever.
Coming back to the fact that Sequim got named in the top of best national retirement cities, this development is not welcome by everybody in town. We all love our peaceful living, wonderful natural environment and neighborhood watches to keep us safe. So some consider more retirees as 'intruders', even though most of them have been one not far ago.
John Wayne Marina
We all got to realize that only change can make things happen. Wouldn't we all like to see the value of our real estate property going up or see our health care system further improve?! So let's embrace change and welcome the new retirees to Sequim!
Sequim Jamestown Golf Course views
Come for a visit and you might want to come back to stay!
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