A rig at the Gig

Currently in:  Kalispell, MT outside Glacier National Park
Will be heading south next week

Johnny's sister Patty was able to spend a few extra days staying at our rig in Gig Harbor.

We went into the little resort town of Gig Harbor.  It was a beautiful sunny day, so we really enjoyed the marina.

And of course the historic area helped us understand a bit about the Skansie family that built this brick home in 1910.  The youngest son lived in the home until his death in 2002.  It is now the Visitor Center.  The family also used the blue boat house below for their fishing operation.

We decided to finish the afternoon by sampling a bit of the town's craft beer!

The next day we took a beautiful drive to the Snoqualmie Falls east of Seattle.  First we took this foot bridge over to the Falls.

The 270 foot falls are impressive from the top.

And from the bottom.  Lots of spray!

Port Townsend is the "Gateway to the Olympic Peninsula" and a trip we decided to make.  We had to cross this floating bridge to get there.

The town has historic homes, a garden, an adorable shopping area and a few surprises!

I found this building to be interesting.  It was a clam cannery in 1885.  It's now waterfront condos!

This garage was built in 1917 and is now a storefront.

This Fire Bell Tower is the last remaining wooden one in the US.  Built in 1890, it has a 1500 lb. brass bell and also housed the only fire engine.  The bell would ring when there was a fire, and volunteer firefighters would do their thing.

You know how I love lighthouses.  Patty and I were insistent on walking up a hill to get the background on the Dimick Lighthouse.  When we got there, we figured out that it was built in the 1990s by a private party who wanted a beautiful view of the harbor.  It was never used as a lighthouse!

A real lighthouse is in the Fort Worden State park near Port Townsend.  Fort Worden was a military installation around the time of WWI.  We drove by the Officer's Quarters which are now rented out as vacation homes.  The enlisted men's barracks house various administrative and other state park facilities.

Officer Quarters

Enlisted Men Barracks

The lighthouse was actually a bit disappointing.  Although it is run by the Coast Guard, the light itself is automatic, so the lighthouse and the keeper's house is in disrepair.

We couldn't leave Washington without a wine tasting.  Quite delicious.