Day 51 - Port Townsend WA - 6464 Miles

Not many new miles. They beauty of Port Townsend is you don't need to drive a lot.

Yesterday we determined Port Townsend isn't the place we'll be spending summers. It's not that the location is undesirable. The problem is they know how desirable it is. There are plenty of places that rent short term, both in hotels and private rentals. Unfortunately (for us) the demand is so high they have no interest in discounting their rates for someone looking for a place for the entire season. The weather is possibly the best in the state, the town is small and compact making it very walkable, there are places to go for day trips by car or ferry, but they recognize they need to make the bulk of their income in three months. We'll spend the rest of our time here simply enjoying the area.

We've been able to watch the submarine races from our balcony.

Today we took the ferry to Whidbey Island. The plan was to just take the ride over and take the next ferry back since the ferry doesn't dock anywhere near a town. As it turned out it does dock next to a state park that was once a fort from the early 1900's. It was a part of the coastal artillery network set up to protect from attack. As a result we spent several hours on the island.

Port Townsend from the Ferry

Mountains Beyond Port Townsend

Coastal Battery at Fort Casey State Park

Ghost of a Coast Watcher

Lighthouse at Fort Casey State Park

While walking to the park from the ferry I saw a bald eagle soar over us and into the trees. When we got into the trees I spotted the nest with an adult and two juvenile eagles. OK, I didn't really spot the nest. I spotted two locals pointing and looking up at a specific tree. I asked what we were missing and they pointed out the nest. They had been coming by on a near daily basis since the young ones were eggs. The babies were now flapping their wings and about ready to leave the nest. You'll need to use your imagination to fill in the blanks and make out the birds, but they are there.

Eagle flapping it's wings (just above and to the right of center.)

Eagle perched on the edge of the nest (just above the center of the picture.)