Sequim Bay, originally uploaded by wildestseas.
If it is possible to visit Sequim Bay in the coming months, do so. Take a walk along the western edge of the bay on the Olympic Discovery Trail. Bring or rent a kayak, and get out on the water at dawn. Sail or motor to the John Wayne Marina for a weekend.
Breathe deeply. Relax.
It is said that John Wayne truly enjoyed being aboard his family yacht, the Wild Goose. It is true that he sailed more than once into Sequim Bay, and that he dreamt of creating a marina there. Eventually, his dream came true on 22 acres along the northwestern edge of Sequim Bay donated by the Wayne Family.
The marina has been in business since 1985. It is an easy cruise from Seattle, Victoria, Port Angeles, Port Ludlow, and the San Juan Islands. Guest moorage is usually available, and the marina is a beautiful place to spend a night or a few days. There is an excellent restaurant at the marina, the Dockside Grill on Sequim Bay. It is an ideal place to enjoy a delicious northwest cuisine, inside or out on one of the decks.
If you enjoy kayaking, the peaceful waters of Sequim Bay provide an excellent opportunity for that. Check out the John Wayne Marina the next time you sail or drive to Sequim. You’ll be happy you did.
May 2009 will witness the 114th Irrigation Festival in Sequim. The oldest festival in the state of Washington celebrates the creation of the irrigation ditches throughout Sequim by D.R. “Crazy” Callan; without the water these ditches brought to the dry prairie land, Sequim would not have been able to thrive as it has.
Each year the Irrigation Festival brings together the Sequim community and reaches out to neighboring communities of the Olympic Peninsula and Puget Sound. This year, due to the closure of the Hood Canal Bridge on May 1, the local community will come out in force for the Grand Parade, the ultra-adorable Children’s Parade and new Family Picnic. It is always interesting to browse the Crafts Fair, and amazing to see the wide array of skilled artists in the Sequim Arts Juried Art Show. The Strong Man Competition, in honor of Sequim High Graduate and international strongman Jesse Marunda, is always fun: past highlights include the 900-pound tire flip and the arm-over-arm truck pull. The Northwest’s connection to logging is celebrated with the Logging Show, where participants may throw an axe, saw a log, climb a pole and pull a tractor.
irrigation festival, originally uploaded by Woofwhisperer.
One of the signature moments for any visit to Sequim is an encounter with the resident Roosevelt Elk herd. Watch for the Elk Crossing sign east of town on Highway 101, and if it’s blinking, you might be in luck.
Tree Tunnel, originally uploaded by cowmonger.
This old railroad trestle bridge is part of the Olympic Discovery Trail, an astonishingly scenic hiking and biking trail which meanders through farmland, riverbeds, and finally along the Strait of Juan de Fuca, on its way from Sequim to Port Angeles.
DSCN0873_323, originally uploaded by kathivito.
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura), originally uploaded by poecile05.
Blue Skies, Brown Birds. Taken on December 8.
P2240162, originally uploaded by virginiaandjon.com.
One of Sequim’s favorite attractions, the Olympic Game Farm features up-close-and-personal interactions with elk, bears, bison, and other amazing animals.
The venerable Sequim Irrigation Festival launched a new website this week, sporting a new logo, and the banner artwork for this year’s event, May 3rd – 10th, 2008.
