The first thing you need to know about Sequim is that you don't pronounce the "e." It's "squim." Understandably, everyone who's not from around here mispronounces it the first time. The next thing you need to know is that Sequim lies in what's known as the Olympic Rain Shadow, an area that boasts more sunny days than much of the rest of the region. At least, that's the legend. We heard once that if the sun makes an appearance, no matter how brief, they count that as a sunny day. Be that as it may, we arrived to overcast skies, leaving sunny and slightly warmer weather at home.
Finding a spot was easy since no one else was in the RV loop when we arrived. This loop is not the prettiest part of the park -- that belongs to the lower loop from which there are beautiful views out over the bay -- but that is where all the other campers were and no RV hookups there. Solitude and comfort win every time.
After getting all hooked up, it was time to explore the layout of the park. This is the underpass to the tennis courts and baseball field. We made a note to get some cheap-o tennis rackets or maybe some pickle ball paddles to keep in the rig so we can take advantage of such features in the future. Future features. Say that out loud. It's fun. Fun future features.
The Swing Champeen of the World!
Because he could get going from a dead stop. A dead stop. He laughed at my contorted efforts to do the same. Until I actually did it.
Standin' on the dock o' the bay.
The Big Guy wanted to relax and read after our stroll, so I went for a short solo bike ride. This was our first trip bringing the bikes along, primarily because the Olympic Discovery Trail runs through the middle of the park. I liked this view as I rode along. It is a very nice trail, but the look of isolation here is a bit deceiving because it parallels the highway, and you're never far from the noise.
The next morning, as usual, we were up early, coffee and tea in hand, to walk down to the dock.
The fabled sunshine over the calm waters.
All quiet, the ship. Nothing disturbs the peace, until suddenly --
-- the Loch Ness Monster surfaces!!
Oh, whew! It's just you.
After breakfast, we started with a 5-mile round-trip walk south along the trail.
The Big Guy spotted this with his eagle eye.
Having sufficiently exhausted the pup enough that we felt we could leave her alone in the RV, we pedaled into Sequim, a 10-mile round trip. This is a refurbished, super-high train trestle. It's best to just pedal on through if you're afraid of heights.
Not-scary bridge.
Lots of different scenery on the way from the forested park, through farmland, then into town. We didn't spend any real time in town, it was really just a destination.
The baby did great on her own.
Another morning, another trek down to the dock to watch for seals.
There's one! There were a lot of them, and I really wanted to come back down with a pocketful of dog food nuggets to see if I could get them to come closer, but I know better than to feed wild animals. I really wanted to, though.
There were also limpets,
crabs,
and ducks.
The rest of the day was pretty much a repeat of the day before, this time with a 4-mile pup-tiring walk, then another 10-mile ride into town.
The pup did good again, although she thought she deserved a place at the dinner table for her model behavior.
After dinner, we did the little "hike" through the park. It's little more than a single-track trail through the trees and up and down ravines. Here is the obligatory shot of the cute little covered bridge that is on all the brochures for the park.
This one kept popping up, seemingly enjoying the evening sun on its face.
On the last morning, while The Big Guy disconnected the RV, I trekked to the dock by myself to spy on seals one last time. I heeded all warnings like this one, the tsunami one, and the one to not eat the butter clams.
There's one! No wait. That's not a seal.
It's an otter!
Chomping on a fish! It swam between me on the dock and the shore, popping up every few minutes with a fish in its mouth or paws. What a nice way to wrap up the trip.
The rest of the day was pretty much a repeat of the day before, this time with a 4-mile pup-tiring walk, then another 10-mile ride into town.
