Explorers

One of the best things about living in the Pacific Northwest is that there's always something really awesome to explore within a couple hours from home. I'd been craving a mini road trip for awhile now, so last Saturday we ferried ourselves over the water and drove to Port Townsend, an eclectic little town at the NE tip of the Olympic Peninsula.

In town we found plenty of little shops, restaurants, antique stores, and subtle tourist quirk. There were street musicians (including a didgeridoo player who was really quite good) and the prerequisite 50's style diner that always seems to pop up in most tourist towns. But I love those joints because it means I can get a Green River soda, which instantly transports me back to my high school sodajerking days at Lauber's Ice Cream parlor.

We explored Chetzemoka Park, a lovely little patch of green with pretty camellias, beautifully landscaped walking paths, and access to the beach.

Off in the distance, I spotted a lighthouse on a sandy strip of land. We decided to hop back in the car and see if we could get out to the lighthouse point. But what we stumbled upon was really quite unexpected and awesome.

The quest for the Point Wilson Lighthouse (the top peeking out, above) led us to Fort Worden State Park, a once active U.S. Army base that now houses many restored and functional facility buildings, an artillery museum, a campground, a marine science center, a small independent publisher of poetry - Copper Canyon Press, a school of woodworking, the Madrona MindBody Institute, and of course, plenty of old concrete batteries to climb around and explore. Incredible - and all located within one state park.

The gutted concrete buildings were eerie. Luckily there were quite a few other people exploring. If it had been any less populated, I would have been terrified. I'm sure the campers have fun scaring the bejeezuz out of each other at night.

Although the entire park was remarkably clean, I got the feeling that this was a popular teenage hangout. A friend of mine reminisced about having her first cigarette at Fort Worden, "and probably my first kiss, too," she laughed.

Many walls had several layers of paint applied to cover up graffiti, but a few clever bits could still be found. Nothing can stop taggers. I rather appreciate it.

'Twas truly a fascinating, fascinating place. I cannot wait to go back and explore more someday. I already feel like I missed so much.

More on Fort Worden here.