Sequim, WA

We arrived in Sequim on, Wednesday the 5th of May. Sequim is pronounced "Skiwm" and the population is approximately 5800. What a perfect little Oasis in Washington. I can certainly understand why this is becoming the most popular retirement community in the state. To sum it up, Sequim is sunshine, rolling hills, flowing rivers, deep blue lakes, snow-capped mountains and a lush Dungeness Valley which is bounded by Jefferson County on the east, the Strait of Juan de Fuca on the north, Port Angeles on the west and Olympic National Forest on the south. In the "rain shadow" of the 7,000 foot Olympic Mountains, Sequim is one of the driest locales in Western Washington, receiving an average of 16 inches annually. The town and valley gladly have adapted the label of "Sunny Sequim" as they are blessed by an average of 300 days of sunshine! Sequim is also known as the "Lavender Capital of North America" and draws crowds of 30,000 to its Lavender Festival in July. In 1995, Sequim farmers began experimenting with lavender in a attempt to save local farmland and open space from development. Today the valley now boasts more than 30 farms containing over 160,000 plants combined. We enjoyed our time in Sequim and it was the second in our longest stay during our travels. The first being southern California where we enjoyed a week with friends and relatives.
If you ever get to Sequim, I encourage you to visit Blake Tile & Stone.....they have been rockin' for 57 years!

It is time. We must move on. Therefore we are heading down the road about 30+ miles to Port Townsend, WA, a boom town of the 1880's and 1890's as a major seaport, fishing and lumber area.