Views of Sequim, the Olympic Peninsula. . .and beyond
The Highway 101 widening project is steadily moving toward Sequim. This is the view looking west as 101 climbs the hill past Kitchen-Dick Road. The plan is to widen the highway to two lanes in both directions with a westbound merge lane entering here. Left turns from eastbound 101 at this location will no longer be allowed.
To the east the new road will merge into the highway where it is already four lanes.
Phew! Here we are, happily nestled into a new server with a new look. Welcome! I hope you like it. Click on “Reply,” above if you’d like to comment.
I mentioned Denton in my last post. Denton is Lavender Lady’s (Sequim Daily Photo’s original blogger) brother, the behind-the-scenes tech support who did all the heavy lifting to transfer Sequim Daily Photo into this new environment. I’m not adverse to technology, but beyond learning the software de jour, most of the background technology in my experience has remained the purview of IT people. In this transition, in addition to doing most of the work for Sequim Daily Photo’s transfer, Denton led me step-by-step through the nuts and bolts. He knows it. You may, too. I didn’t. But with Denton’s help it’s less foreign now. And for all his work, patience, and expertise I’m deeply grateful. Thank you, Denton. I can’t thank you enough!
This is a big day for Sequim Daily Photo. Today we push the button to switch this blog to a new server. Until the process is complete there won’t be any new posting. This may be from 24 to 72 hours. There will be a somewhat different look for SDP when it premiers at the new server, with a responsive, user-friendly format. And in the background, my electronic angel and blog salvation, Denton, will put the finishing touches on transferring nearly eight years of blog history. I don’t exaggerate when I say this never could have happened without Denton, a volunteer of the finest and kindest caliber. Now…I keep my fingers crossed until we meet again. TTFN.
The Public Utility District (PUD) is working its way through replacing a run of power line poles. It’s not glamorous but if it assures uninterrupted power I’m all for it. New poles were laid down next to the old and crews cut back brush around the old ones. A survey crew did some work. Then the cherry picker, above, hoisted a couple of men into range to attach poles which reposition the wires. That was one big truck. Notice that it’s got braces at the bottom. Flaggers directed traffic around the operation.
Many years ago I ran an educational tree-planting program. The local conservation corps helped us out with a two-person auger to pre-dig holes for the trees. Faced with that or manual labor the auger was pretty awesome. And I can assure you that the auger the PUD pulled out to dig the pole hole was more than awesome. I guess this is where I admit that I’m impressed with what heavy equipment can do.
Just like that the hole was dug. Picking up the new pole and positioning it into the hole was quick work.
Here’s the rig that did the drilling and heavy lifting. A couple more poles and I think the wiring will shift over to the new poles.
If you’ve tried lately to drive on our famous local Snicker-Name Road (also known as Kitchen-Dick) you’ve no doubt noticed delays. Improvements are coming our way: the road has been widened to accommodate walkers and bicyclists. The road previously wasn’t the sort that offered a real margin of safety for foot traffic and it’s now visibly broader.
Credit for this shot goes to my husband. The pilot car arrived before I was ready to shoot. Hubby seemed to think that I didn’t intend to swerve as I took pictures and that he could do a better job. As usual, he was right.
I don’t think it’s too much of a stretch to call excavating equipment cute. Not when one bigger than a bus cradles a bitsy one. Really. Isn’t it kinda cute?
A 3.5 mile stretch of Highway 101 is being widened between Sequim and Port Angeles to the west. Big swaths of land are being cleared to add a second lane in either direction, dramatically altering the look of the land.
The work and the changes are a big distraction to drivers and many aren’t accustomed to the caution necessary to drive safely in a construction zone. There have been three accidents in this zone in the last two or three weeks, the most recent including a fatality. As drivers have slowed or made a turn they have been rear-ended, causing chain reactions that have sent cars into ditches and spinning into oncoming traffic.
The man who was killed this week did work in our home shortly after we moved here and was a very nice, kind, and gentle soul. I don’t care how impatient one can be with traffic, or how late. Nothing justifies ending a life like this because someone’s following too closely. Locals, please drive like your life depends on it. It does.