Wandering around the Olympic Peninnsula

Lavender in full bloom

This totem tells then legend of 'why the sun always shines in Sequim'

Olympic Peninsula humor

The Polar Discovery and the marine layer off-shore i Port Angeles

SEQUIM, WA - - Over the weekend we had time to check out a lavender farm, wander around the farmer's market in Sequim, head up to Port Angeles and make a cut-short trip to Olympic NP.
     After checking out one of three Olympic NP visitor centers (hey, the park is big) we set out toward Hurricane Ridge.  But road construction created a big traffic jam (even on Sunday) and we finally turned around and headed out.  Our last visit to Olympic NP, maybe 10 years ago, wasn't as bad...just cold with iffy skies.
     About 20 years ago, Sequim was just a small town with a dry climate...something rare in Washington.  Then someone figured out the climate was like that of Provence (France) and Provence is the world leader in growing lavender.  This fragrant plant/flower gives aroma to perfume, soap, sachets, and lots of other products.  Now, in Sequim, there is a Lavender festival, tours and cut-your own options at nearby farms and plenty of lavender-themed businesses.  The town calls itself "The lavender capital of the US."
     Port Angeles is a major West Coast harbor/stop off point.  This was evident by the huge crude oil tanker Polar Discovery riding anchor off shore.  The ship, built in 2003, is part of a fleet of ConocoPhillips-owned tankers hauling crude oil from Valdez, Alaska to US West Coast ports and Hawaii.  Full speed ahead gets you 16 knots (18.4 mph) from 15,000 hp  diesel power.