Views of Sequim, the Olympic Peninsula. . .and beyond
So there I was in Victoria, snapping away as the snow piled up around town. I liked the contrast of the snow against this dragon at Chinatown.
As I moved in for a closer shot I got a good laugh when I noticed this little guy, no more than about 6 inches tall, nestled under the dragon tail.
Driving on West Washington a month or so ago I did a double-take as I drove past the Mormon Church. A steeple? I don’t remember there being a steeple on that building. They put a new roof on this summer. I remember that. But a steeple??
We later asked at a nearby business: “Is that a new steeple on the church over there?” Yes, it is.
On a sunnier day it’s very bright. And, strictly in my opinion, on a clean-lined building like this the styles don’t exactly mesh. But I guess nothing says “Hey! Here’s a church!” like a bright, white steeple.
This mansion in Victoria was completed in 1890. It was built by Robert Dunsmuir, the richest man in British Columbia. Dunsmuir, a coal baron who began his career as a coal miner, died before the castle was completed. It was occupied by his wife and other family members until 1908.
Craigdarroch Castle is stunning, with spectacular oak paneling and some of the most beautiful stained glass I’ve ever seen. If you’re day tripping from the Olympic Peninsula or making a longer trek to Victoria it’s well worth a visit. This time of year it’s decorated as if for a Victorian era Christmas and it’s lovely.
Last month as part of Native American Heritage Month, the local Elwha Klallam Tribe hosted a screening of a film called “More Than Frybread.” We’d not been to the Tribal Center, a beautiful building in Port Angeles, and the movie sounded like fun. It was – fun and very funny. A mockumentary on the first ever state frybread championship in Arizona, it profiled and followed contestants before and through the competition. The characters were all well drawn and well acted and the film was full of wry humor.
We love frybread and have great memories of finding a couple of frybread stands in very remote areas of the Southwest. There is nothing like fresh, hot frybread when you’ve been out camping for days and driving for hours in the high desert. That was some years ago and the thought of seeing it on film filled us with nostalgia. I can’t tell you how thrilled we were when our Elwha hosts announced before the film that a batch of frybread was out and ready to eat. Heaven! A great movie and frybread, too. Life is good.
Victoria, B.C. is an hour and a half ferry ride from the Olympic Peninsula. The Inner Harbor area of the city is walking distance from the ferry and Parliament, above, is across the street from the harbor. The less we like the long haul to Seattle and city driving, the more appealing Victoria is. Our overnight stay last week was a package offered through Black Ball Ferry. It was the second time we’ve done this and we’ve loved it both times.
I was startled to read this week that engineers are warning that the Parliament Building urgently needs upgrades. Built in 1898, the entire complex shows its age and lacks many current safety amenities, such as masonry reinforcement, fire sprinklers, and emergency exits. The gorgeous dome is actually beginning to twist. I’ve not been inside. And I can’t say this news makes me eager to tour.
After my husband began building his Scamp sailboat last spring at the Northwest Maritime Center last March, I promised occasional updates on its progress. Although he’s put in plenty of time and effort, there hasn’t been much to show. But after some recent interior seal coats, I thought the project deserved an update.
Most of what you see above is the result of hours of work performed by one man standing folded over and working upside down. All of the interior joints have been filleted (filled with an epoxy mixture), taped, and then sanded. Then there was an interior seal of three coats of epoxy with color added. A little sanding on the exterior of the stern. Interior fittings have also gotten seal coated. And three rows of reef nettles have gone on the sail. While waiting for the epoxy to cure (akin to the speed of molasses in January) he’s also been working on the mast and rigging.
My husband has gone through epoxy almost like a large family drinks milk: by the gallon. There’s a gallon jug of epoxy resin under our Christmas tree. Santa understands.
Dungeness Recreation Area is a great place to walk and now that hunting has been discontinued there it’s even more welcoming. This new bench was installed recently and trails have been better groomed.