Day 28 - (08/15) Port Townsend, WA

We had a leisurely start today. It’s a short trip to Port Townsend. Since we have no reservations at our target state campground, it seemed prudent to let previous campers pack up and leave.

This friendly fellow stopped traffic as we headed north.

US-101 has many peaceful views like this.

We got a very nice site at Old Fort Washington State Park. We’re 4 miles west of Port Townsend. Unlike the Hoodsport park (which was located right on the highway), this park is deep in the forest. There'll be no highway noises tonight.

We toured Port Townsend and Fort Worden State Park in the afternoon.

Port Townsend

This town has worked hard for a rebirth and it's doing quite well. The downtown was alive with shops, restaurants, hotels, business and ... people. Victorian architecture abounds and is well maintained. The ferry to Whidbey Island is very popular.

Downtown

Whidbey Island Ferry

They're proud of their waterfront

Lots of docks and warehouses

They play cool watersports, too

The Bishop Victorian Hotel - downtown

Fort Worden

The fort was active from 1904 into the 1950s. It was part of a three fort observation triangle that protected entry to Puget Sound. The state has put the remaining 100+ buildings to work for conferences, meetings, exhibits, tours and vacation rentals.

We toured the commanding officer's quarters. The period furnishings, life stories and presentation were exceptional.


The Point Wilson Lighthouse still operates, but not as originally built.

Point Wilson Lighthouse

Day's End

After dinner in the trailer, we walked down to the beach.

Carol by Port Townsend Bay

Did you know?

These are some of the tidbits from life in 1905 we picked up at Fort Worden.

• There were only 8,000 cars in the US and 144 miles of paved roads.
• The average wage in the US was 22 cents per hour.
• 90% of all US doctors had no college education.
• The population of Las Vegas, NV was 30.
• About 95% of all births in the US took place at home.
  

Map Tracks
Start: Hoodsport, Washington
North on US-101 to Washington 20
East on Washington 20 to Old Fort Townsend State Park
End: 57 miles @ Port Townsend, Washington