Sequim 2009

My most recent adventure was in Sequim and it involved a wedding, don’t worry, you didn’t miss any huge news, it wasn’t mine. A coworker was getting married and I was invited. Since it was evening wedding, boasting a keg I decided to spend the night in. Since I’m cheap and Sequim is not known for its great hotels I chose to take Gladi and stay at Sequim Bay State Park.

Just like its name states, the park over looks Sequim Bay and sits on a hill side. Most of the campsites are good for tents or campers. My opinion is that it would be a bitch to get a trailer into most of the sites. That said, there is RV/trailer section, but it looked like big field. Not what I’m looking for in camping experience. Most of the sites are under the canopy of large cedars and Douglas firs and right next to each other and not very privet, but pleasant enough. The restrooms were older, but usable, with showers. The boat launch seems to a bit cramped, the web site states that there are oyster beds and I saw a bunch of crab pot’s in the bay. A long multi county biking/walking trail runs through the park and the park attendants were great. This park takes reservations and I highly suggest that you take advantage of it. I grabbed one of the last reservations a couple of weeks out and the place looked full.

The wedding at the Purple Haze Lavender Farms and was beautiful. The setting and the weather was perfect for a wedding. It was nice to see my coworker married.

After the wedding, back to the campground I went and stayed up late around the fire, drinking and talking with some of my other co-workers who also went to the wedding and decided to share the campsite with me. Once again Gladi was a great camping platform and the next morning I was up, packed and off in no time.

I took a leisurely route home checking out some other campgrounds on the way. Ft Townsend, in the deep woods, looked promising, Ft Warden, not so much. I also explored some back roads and since I just missed the ferry, Kingston a bit. Kicking back in Gladi on the ferry was great. In all a very satisfying overnight trip. I should give this area a second look, and it is much closer that I thought.

Camping at Newhalem

I just finished with my first camping trip in Gladi, at Newhalem campground in the the North Cascades National park, and it was a blast. Since dogs aren't allowed on the trails in National Parks Dhugal got to stay at the grandparents.

I headed up Thursday after work and found a great spot on the B loop. The campground is great with nice, semi private spots and good solid restrooms. My Sister and family were joining me Friday night, so I brought up all their gear so they wouldn't have to mess with it when they pulled in late. The weather was warm and the sky clear, but given this is the PNW, I went ahead and set up their tent and tossed stuff in behind. Tent assembly, while not hard was a good reminder of why I bought Gladi. Hard work done, it was time to watch some videos and fall asleep.

The fold down bed/bench seat wasn't to bad to sleep on, it needs some tweaking but works. All in all I had a good sleep. I woke to a great sunny morning and spent time exploring the area. There are great trails through out the campground. The town of Newhalem was short walk away and fun to poke around.

There is no cell reseption, but there is a land line phone near the Newhalem restrooms (in town) that lets you make free calls to the Seattle area (Newhalem is the company town for Seattle City Light). I made good use of that phone. I stopped by the NP visitors center, very nice, and picked up the free Jr rangers kit for my niece. I then hopped in Gladi and checked out some of the other campgrounds, and the general area.

It was starting to get to be dinner time and since I didn't feel like cooking I drove down to Marblemount and had a decent dinner at the cafe there. As I was heading back to the campground the weather began to change and the rain came pouring in. I was raining so hard I had trouble seeing the road.

I made it back and in between the rain squalls got my sisters families tent ready to sleep in (air mattress inflated, tarp set up). My Sister and her family rolled in late and while they got things situated I entertained the kids in the van and out of the rain and mud.

Saturday morning opened clear, if not a bit drippy so we set about the traditional camping breakfast, Spam and eggs, under the open sky. Of course half way through eating it began to rain and I made a dash for the van, eveyone else soon followed. Ever wonder how many people fit in an Astro mini van? We had 3 adults a 4 year old and a one year old, all eating breakfast with room to spare.

After awhile the rain tapered off andexploring we all went. The night before and before breakfast my niece finished her junior ranger book, so off to get her badge. Then we explored the Trail of Cedars, Ladder Creek Falls, and the town of Newhalem. Before long it was time for me to head home and back to work. We tossed the wet tent in the back of Gladi and off I went.

I had a blast! I will be back to Newhalem again. It was a fun and beautiful place to stay.

Gladi's First Adventure

Gladi and I headed out on our first real adventure Friday. We headed north on a day trip ending up at Rockport State park on Highway 20.

I bought Gladi, my 1995 Chevy Astro High Top Conversion Van back in February to use for camping. Because of the long winter and the random events of life, I haven't had the chance to pay proper attention to her until recently. But after a oil change and look over by my mechanic, replacing the drivers window motor and switch, recharging the AC (thanks Dad) and a interior deep clean by The Detail Shop down the street we were ready to roll.

Since I was bushed from a long work week, had something planned for Saturday and have yet to be able to get the divers side mid row seat out, I decided on a day trip. The goal was the Mount Vernon area and Camping World. Since I planned a number of shopping stops, I left Dhugal at home.

First stop Harbor Freight in Everett, a truly evil store. I picked up some odds and ends, some of which were for Gladi. She got a tire gauge and a weird accordion shade/window covering thing. Some modifications will have to be made if it is to work, the widow thing not the tire gauge.

Then I hit the freeway and north to Mount Vernon where I stopped and the Dollar Tree, Goodwill (nothing) and since there was a rumbly in my tumbly, I stopped for lunch, at Mr. T's. For years I have seen this place in passing as I cruised up I-5 and had heard somewhere that it was pretty good and it was. It's a small place with rough but fun waitresses. I had a very tasty BLT but noticed that the biscuits are the size of a very large grapefruit. After lunch I went looking for Northern Sales, but it wasn't there any more and stopped at Stupid Prices instead. I thought about stopping at WalMart and Costco but after realizing that they shared a parking lot (what insane person thought of that?) I hit the freeway instead.

A couple exits north, I noticed, I had whizzed by my intended destination Camping World. After backtracking a bit, I was horribly disappointed by that store, I mean what was the point, what a waste.

Since the day was young I decided to head up HWY 20 toward the North Cascades National Park. I stopped a the NPS/NFS info center in Sedro Wooley and grabbed a big stack of brochures (I love brochures) I also snagged a Smokey Bear pencil and a book mark that was in Spanish.

On my way east I found two Smokey Bear signs, if you don't know what that is about I'll update you later. The first was just east of Lyman and the other was just west of Concrete.

The drive up to Rockport State park was gorgeous. I would rain just a little bit, every once in awhile, just enough to bring out the forest smell and there were breaks in the clouds to enjoy the blue sky and mountains.

By the time I reached Rockport State Park (which sadly no longer offers camping) I was getting bushed so I pulled in for a break. I popped the lift gate open, folded the back seat into the bed, propped myself up of my pillow, read a good book, while breathing in the sent of the damp forest scent and listed to the busy birds.

After the break It was time to head home. I made a quick stop at the Mount Vernon Co-op in search a certain brand of local pickles, no dice, but did pick up some very gooey brie. I think I'll revisit old town Mount Vernon again, there were some intriguing shops. I stopped for a quick $2 dinner of shrimp cocktail, salmon and chips and bottomless Cokes at the Angel of the Winds Casino, not bad but I don't think I'll stop again.

It was good day, Gladi ran well and I'll check her fluids today or tomorrow, I put about 175 miles on her and went through about 1/2 tank of gas.