Sandra White: Washington: Port Townsend

Just a short post to show you our joy last night.  Celebrations were held all day, but I was working!  I did make it downtown at 6 pm and took in a bit of the Gallery Walk and enjoyed champagne and fabulous chocolate at William's Gallery.  William was Bill Metzler back at Windermere RE and I knew him when.  Now he and his Jewelry creating wife Wendy have a wonderful gallery packed with treasures from around the world,  showcasing her art.

                                                                                          Chamber Music at Artisans on Taylor.                                                                                         

The main attraction was taking place at Union Wharf and you could not miss it because you could hear the music of The Freddy Pink  band where ever you went. 

They really rock and have a great repetois with oldies, but goodies.  There was dancing in the street. 

One of our more colorful citizens  (I think she is wearing her Kintectic Sculputure Race outfit) and her wheels.

We are all waiting in line for the great pizza at Waterfront Pizza...was worth the wait.

 http://www.porttownsendrealestatesearch.net/

 Finished 11 days ahead of schedule and just in time for our day long celebration on Saturday, June 6th.

The Hood Canal Bridge which links the Olympic Peninsula to the rest of the world  has been closed for repairs for the past month and people have had to drive around the canal, or take multiple ferries, or be bused to walk on ferries and more buses. 

Check out the celebrations!

·         11 am -  Official ribbon cutting ceremony at Salsbury Point Park in Kitsap County recognizing community leaders, the bridge contractor, elected officials and featuring the Chimacum High School band.

·         12 pm  - A small parade of vintage cars from 1959 to 1961 ( the time period the bridge opened) driving from Salisbury Park and winding its way through Port Ludlow, Port Hadlock and into Port Townsend.

·         12 pm -  The Bridge Opening Bash in Port Townsend .

·         11 am to 6 pm - A special exhibit of Hood Canal Bridge historical photos will be featured in the City Council Chambers in City Hall.  

·         1 pm - Dock of Bay concert will be at the Pope Marine Building

·         2 pm - Port Townsend's Mayor will have a welcoming ceremony at Union Wharf

·         3-5 pm - The Delta Rays will play a free concert at Union Wharf

·         4-8 pm - "Swoon Under the Full Moon in June" community block party will take place on      Washington  Street.

·         5:30-7:30 pm - Freddy Pink will perform a free concert at Union Wharf

·         5:30-7:30  Gallery Walk (Art galleries open and serving refreshments)

Thank goodness this is behind us and we can look forward to a wonderful summer and welcome all the many tourists who annually drive through this area to hike, camp, fish and just enjoy the incredible scenery.

 http://www.porttownsendrealestatesearch.net/

In the category of Port Townsend's most interesting real estate, the Eisenbeis Building also know as the Cracker Factory Building was built in 1889.  (Crackers were baked in building attached.)  Located in Port Townsend's original town-site on bustling Water Street the building was occupied by Delmonico's Hotel and Restaurant, and then later became the home of Olympic Hardware.  I believe the hardware store started in the 50's or 60's and I have been told that up on the 3rd floor you could find any part or gizmo you ever dreamed of. 

This wonderful old building was renovated by investors and about 2 years ago, just as the market hit it's peak.  That timing was incredibly unlucky for these investors, but at this point there is one condo sold, and some interest in the retail area.       

The building is being marketed today as retail space for lease or sale on ground and mezzanine floors, and condos on floors 3 and 4.  With high ceilings, good window space with water and city views, and beautiful wood flooring, these are very upscale and lovely condos.  Ranging in price from $299,000 to $489,000 which is a considerable reduction in price (50%) of the original prices.  The entire building is also for sale.  Marketed by John L Scott, Port Townsend, but not my listing.

                                                 Delmonico Hotel...late 1800's

       Building Exterior today                                                                       Living room in furnished model

       Water view from model                                                       Model bedroom

           Living room windows                                                Kitchen with granite and stainless steel

Hallway with beautiful original woodwork

 http://www.porttownsendrealestatesearch.net/

The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave... Patrick Henry--

Some people live an entire lifetime and wonder if they have ever made a difference in the world, but the Marines don't have that problem.
--Ronald Reagan--

From time to time, the tree of liberty must be watered with the blood of tyrants and patriots.
--Thomas Jefferson-

                                        
-- 

This morning I heard the canon at the fort go off, saluting the veterans buried there.  I drove to the fort to check it out and there was a small gathering of people and I snapped some photos.  Fort Worden is one of three forts on the Olympic Peninsula built in the early 1900's to protect our Northwest border and ports.  On the south west corner of the fort is this beautiful little cemetery with uniform headstones, and today they each had a small flag. 

I drive by this little cemetery almost every day, and you can't help but think about the men who gave their lives by serving their country.  I have read at the fort that most of the men in this cemetery died of the 1918 Influenza.  But I am sure there are some real heroes buried there.  I am so greatful to all of our military people who have made the ultimate sacrfice for us.  You cannot appreciate what we have in our country until you have traveled to places like East Berlin as I did  (in the 70's) and seen what an oppressed country is like. 

Today Fort Worden is owned by the state and used by Jefferson County and Port Townsend for many wonderful cultural, educational and recreational events.  Fortunately most of the grounds and buildings have been preserved as they were, and it is truly a treasure for all who can visit and make use of the facilities.

                                     http://www.porttownsendrealestatesearch.net/

Most of the Realtors in my office (John L Scott, Port Townsend) converged this morning on the home of a sick co-worker to clean the house and yard.  I was amazed and impressed by the turnout which amounted to about 30 people, including some of her neighbors and friends, showing up with brooms, dust pans, windex, weed eaters, and gloves.  Spirit was high and work was fast and furious. 

A friend from Port Townsend Brewery brought 4 jugs of their incredible brew and was enjoyed by all. 

Much was accomplished while the lady of the house was banished for the morning.  By the time I left things were ship shape and looking good.  Two truck loads of yard waste were hauled to the dump.

10 AM Work started                             A large stack of wood was moved

Grass was cut and weeds were whacked.    Windows got cleaned.

 Everyone took a room to clean.             Flower garden was weeded and new flowers planted.   

 Raking up the grass                            Trimming hedges

http://www.porttownsendrealestatesearch.net/

On the waterfront in this historic seaport village, this new center will be quite an addition to Port Townsend.  In the planning process for almost 15 years, this ambitious project is beginning to take shape and form for all to see.  There will be "hard hat" tours beginning May 31. 

In August 2000 the land was purchased( a former bulk oil terminal ) for $950,000, which was contributed partly by 1200 individual donors.  Clean up of the property  was finished in July of 2002 and a new deep water pier was completed in 2004.  There are names of donors etched into the piers planks. 

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There are two main buildings with 26000 sq. ft. and flexible spaces which will be used for on the water activities, school programs, demonstrations, exhibits, classes and workshops.  There will be open patio space and public areas (40,000 sq. ft.)  and a "chandlery" with maritime books and art work.

The Public Commons area will be paved with 1400 pavers laid in the shape of a compass rose and engraved with the names of community members who have donated to the project. 

There will also be a boardwalk linking the center to the city park, piers and docks with deep-draft moorage for historic and educational vessels providing docking for ships or small boats. 

Be sure to check out the progress of this incredible center the next time you are in Port Townsend. 

 http://www.porttownsendrealestatesearch.net/

 This is a wonderful and amazing place here in Port Townsend.  It is  run by the Sheriff Dept. with the help of a lot of terrific volunteers.  People who go every week to walk the dogs, talk to the cats, clean cages, feed and water animals and look for new homes for them.  The Olympic Mountain Pet Pals also do a great deal of work for the shelter and it's members can be found there most any day.

This shelter works very hard to place all animals and to be a "no kill" facility. 

There is a memorial page on this website, a good place to put photos and information about your own pets who have passed away. 

http://www.jeffersoncountyhumanesociety.org

There is a team of veterinarians who give much of their time to these little guys for healing and surgeries. My own veterinarians are  pretty special and much appreciated for the time they devote to the shelter.  One of them is Dr. Joyce Murphy and she is a Veterinarian Ophthalmologist.  Wow are we lucky to have her and her partner Dr. Ginny Johnson in our community.  They give so much of their time and expertise to these little guys and there is a jar on their counter marked "Angel Fund" which collects donations for animals whose owners cannot afford care.  Their clinic is call the Hadlock Veterinary and Eye Clinic and they have patients coming from all over to use their services. 

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 http://www.porttownsendrealestatesearch.net/

Our beloved Rhody Festival has come and gone;  all the carnival trucks, parade floats and animals....leaving our little town as spic and span as it was last week.  I have already told you about our pet parade.  Here are some more photos of the popular events, but first a little interesting history.

It all started in 1935 when a local businessman contacted the Hearst News Organization with an idea to film the rhododendrons in bloom as a part of their "short subjects" popular in movie theaters in those days.  The business community then organized a Queen competition to have a group of young women in the photos.  The townspeople could vote by spending money at local participating merchants.

 The following year the American Legion liked the enthusiasm generated by the event and decided to go forward with an annual event which became the Rhody Festival we enjoy today.   The festival has been going on ever since except for the war years of 1942-1945.

In the 1950's the Port Townsend Chamber of Commerce took over and more activities have been added until now it is a week long celebration.  There have been golf tournaments, boat races, air show, cow chip throwing, bed race, trike race, beard growing contest, and more.

In the parade this year on Saturday there were over 96 floats this year with everyone getting into the act.  You can walk with a sign, drive a car, or have a very fancy float.  All are welcome and applauded.  There are bands, local charities represented, citizen of the year, and lots of businesses represented. 

Friday Night Bed Races

Sunday's Rhody Run

31st Rhody Run had over 2000 runners and walkers shown hear about 10 minutes into the 12 Kilometer race. 

http://www.porttownsendrealestatesearch.net/

This is one of the most fun events of the Rhody Festival every May.  Those glorious blooms are out and we have a week of celebration, including a Rhody Parade with a queen and her court, Pet Parade, Fish Fry, Carnival, Bed Races, the annual Rhody Run ( and walk) and a pancake breakfast.  How much fun can you have. 

There was speculation that we would not have much of a turnout this year due to the closure of the Hood Canal Bridge, but last I heard we had 97 entrants into the parade this Saturday.

Today was the annual Pet Parade and it was as wonderful as ever.  People of all ages dress their pets in their finest or whackiest and parade them down Lawrence Ave.  There are biscuits for the pets and  cold drinks and cookies for their humans.

There was a boy and his duck, small medium and large dog groups, cats and other animals categories.  Judges looked for original costumes and lots of attitude. 

This is the coolest cat!                                                Yours truly with lovely Lulu

                         A young Python                                                  Hard to keep these people in lines.

This parade takes 10 minutes from start to finish and is enjoyed by all. 

It is said that over 22,000 cars per day cross over to the North Olympic Peninsula on the Hood Canal Bridge which connects us to the mainland of Puget Sound and Kitsap Peninsula.  No amount of planning could prepare us for the inconvenience and loss of business the closing has cost.

Our little city of Port Townsend has done a lot of publicity to remind our summer visitors that we are still here and accessible, but I hear from local business owners this is not working too well.  There is a one lane highway that will take you to the mainland, but it seems to be a 4-5 hour trip.  There is the possibility of taking a walk on ferry from point a to point b and then catching a bus or two into Seattle.  It now leaves at 4:30 am.  The other possibility is 2 ferries with about 2 hours of driving and waiting in between, but these have been booked to capacity daily. 

In 1979,  before my time here in Port Townsend, the west end of the 1961 era bridge sank due to an unusually heavy windstorm.  The bridge did not reopen until 1982.  Real estate was a real bargain here in those years.  So if you consider the alternative, this is a small price to pay for the safety and long range benefit of a newly refurbished bridge.  It will be wider and much more reliable.

There was decaying concrete and rusted steel on the east half, which is now being replaced with a new section.   This 60 million pound, 943 foot  structure is being tugged over from Port Gamble and a high tide is needed to ease it over. 

The sections have to be lined up with not much room for height difference ( less than the height of two pennies stacked up) so the water has to be as still as possible for this endeavor.  They will look for a "slack tide", the period between the outgoing and incoming tide, which this week should be before dawn.

This is the 770 ft.  old section of bridge on its way to Canada, shown here passing by Point Hudson in Port Townsend.    The pontoons will be used in a marina breakwater there. Some other parts of the old bridge are going to salvage. 

This whole project can be viewed from Shine Tidelands State Park shoreline near the west end.  So far weather is co-operating and hopefully the project will be finished on time (June 15th) or possibly early, due to hefty bonus money for earlier deadlines. 

http://www.porttownsendrealestatesearch.net/