Views of Sequim, the Olympic Peninsula. . .and beyond
Grindelia (Grindelia stricta), or coastal gumweed, is one of our late-blooming wildflowers. Small shrubs are cheering up trailsides near the marshy areas of Dungeness Recreation Area and can brighten the gloomiest day.
There are bracts on the bushes that are covered with a milky resin that is reputed to have healing properties.
Bluebell of Scotland, a wildflower that grows on Hurricane Ridge.
The Clallam County Fair was last weekend and it was full of all the things you’d expect from a fair, starting, of course, with animals. The swine barn is always a must-visit. Aren’t they just the cutest?
And there’s the lineup of the hardworking kitchen canners.
The quilters strut their stuff.
There are always flowers, simple or exotic, single or arranged.
Things to buy. (Okay. I didn’t purchase and I took a picture anyhow. So far no one’s come after me.)
And, of course, there’s fair food. Good luck trying to find the alien stuff they eat on another planet: anything healthy. It is, after all, the County Fair!
Some people can really make a garden come to life. I couldn’t resist this eye-catching ode to summer.
Although there were fewer avalanche lilies on Hurricane Ridge last Saturday, butterflies were making the most of them. I think this is a Hydaspe fritillary but don’t hold me to it. I didn’t verify it at the visitor center.
Here’s an avalanche lily, the object of much butterfly attention.
The Lavender Festival is a great place to take children. Parents love taking their pictures in the fields, they make excellent helpers picking lavender, and there’s a variety of fun things to do. This little sweetie tagged along with Mom at Lost Mountain Lavender.
Misty, the “Lavender Clown Fairy” (isn’t she cute?), turned balloons into all manner of things for kids at Sunshine Herb & Lavender. A Kid’s Faire was offered at Carrie Blake Park and there were 4-H animals to visit and pet, lavender crafts projects, and treasure hunts plus facepainting and displays. It’s a great family event.
The farms on the heritage lavender farm tour all have gift shops. . .and they’re all fun if you like retail grazing. Above is Lost Mountain Lavender.
Here is Jardin du Soleil. It and Lost Mountain both have new owners this year.
The Purple Haze gift shop is in the building to the right, above. The building in the distance is a rental house for those who want a total lavender immersion. Purple Haze also has a retail store on Washington Street.
Sunshine Herb & Lavender Farm is the first heritage lavender farm that you encounter as you come to Sequim from the east. With this gorgeous red barn it’s hard to miss.