The Victorian Age / Port Townsend, WA
Craig and I are always up for an adventure even if it means going far and wide and going places we've never been before.
Typically, I'm the hesitant one. I'm the one who's wanting to make sure it's not too strenuous of a day of driving too far, having enough food, etc. Craig just flies by the seat of his pants. He's always the one that saying let's go to this random place and let's try something different. Let's just see what happens.
This weekend, Craig found a quaint quintessential Victorian town that he knew would pull on my heartstrings. Some of you guys know me and some of you will learn more through this blog. I am a sucker for all things old, vintage, historical and beautiful. People mock the fact that I'm an 80 year old woman deep down and they're right - THE JOY, FRIENDS.
So, when I was presented with a Victorian seaport overlooking the Sound, how could I say no? Sometimes all I need is to be transported back into simple days of old with amazing history architecture and maybe a quick cup of tea and I'm golden. Upon arrival, Port Townsend was grey, foggy and 20° cooler than Portland. But travel is always an adventure. We spent our picnic lunch overlooking the water, then strolled through the quaint downtown area, ducking in shops and admiring store fronts (okay, I was admiring) and visiting antique shops, bookstores with old bound books in every genre and leather shade you can imagine (swoon), a fifties soda fountain (the allure was more exciting than reality) and taking a cup of tea on the lovely European style back garden at Pippa's Real Tea. The Victorian houses overlooking the cape must have been a sight in the golden years. Amazing detail and design perched above the foggy port just waiting for trading ships and welcoming loved ones home. The town was a stunning reminder of haunting air of the past. Things to do in Port Townsend:
1. Fort Worden State Park. Do it. Trip Advisor is right that it is the number one attraction. We didn't have time to stop at the tap house there because we were chasing oysters, but I did take a photo of the amazing looking house thing you can stay in. I wish we had more time to explore these historic grounds and I'd suggest starting the day here rather than ending.
2. Victorian houses. Drive around, take a stroll, cross reference with the local house book in one of the downtown bookstores - whatever allows you to experience them in your visit timeframe. There are also some stunning houses that have been converted to bed and breakfasts and the views are breathtaking.
3. Explore the downtown area. Bookstores, antiques, tea and shortbread and the numerous shops. Just wander. There was also this amazing piano man on the street corner - his Metallica rendition of "Nothing Else Matters" was amazing.
4. Stop by Hamma Hamma Seafood Company on your way back to enjoy fresh caught oysters and cooks singing to 90s music. It's this random oyster farm and restaurant on Highway 101 back to 5 South. Go early (on your way out adventuring for the day) so you get raw oysters before they sell out.
5. Take a risk and explore. We just went for it and wanted to see the place, so we did. There is no perfect time and who knows when you'll get the next opportunity. Do the things you want to do and that seem interesting before life passes you by.
