Gas Works Park

Gas Works Park is one of Seattle's unique landmarks. The site was cleared in the early 1900's for a manufacturing plant to convert coal to gas, but later closed in the 1950's. The City acquired the land for a park and opened to the public in 1975. Every year, the park hosts one of the city's Fourth of July celebrations with amazing views of Lake Union and the Space Needle in the distance. The park was a filming location for 10 Things I Hate About You and the finish line in Season 3 of The Amazing Race.

It's definitely worth a visit for any Seattlelite: bike the Burke-Gilman Trail, rent some kayaks on the lake, enjoy some fish and chips at Ivars, or warm up with coffee and pastries at the Essential Baking Company.

   

Cutts Island - Gig Harbor

A few years ago, Jeremy's boating parents were feeling very generous at Christmas and bought us a tandem kayak. We were so excited for all the adventures in store for us!

Our coolest and most frustrating of them all was our voyage to Cutts Island near Kopachuck State Park in Gig Harbor. We went on a sunny January day. Our first obstacle was finding a launch pad. Kopachuck would have been the logical option, but the long trail from the parking lot to the water was unappealing. We ended up parking on a side street and launched from an inlet. With life jackets, oars and snacks we were off! The view of the Olympic mountains to our West was awesome and within a short time we had landed.

Cutts Island, also called Dead Man's Island, was once an Native American Burial ground. The natives would bury their loved ones in canoes up in the trees. We spent an hour or so exploring  the 2 acre park with steep cliffs and an impressive 360 degree view of the Sound.

 

 We did not take the tides into account on our journey back, 

once we were in 4 inches of water, we knew we had to re-route. 

It was pretty cool to see the ocean beds, 

completely covered in sand dollars.

The detour around Raft Island added an extra hour of paddling, but on such a beautiful day we really didn't mind. Then we got back to the inlet--which was no longer an inlet-- only thick, sticky, stinky mud. Poor Jeremy lost a shoe and nearly lost his balance while carrying the kayak back to the car. By the time we had everything strapped down and seats buckled, neither of us were in a very good mood. But like all things, time has way of bringing out the humor of things, and if we had to do it all over again--we would. 

Port Gamble

This logging town established in 1853 is a National Historic site and until 1995, was the oldest continuously operating sawmill in North America. The homes and buildings have preserved their 19th century charm with rolling green fields that speak of a simpler time. I think it may be impossible to not feel happy in this beautiful, peaceful corner of the peninsula. This is a growing community with new businesses coming every year, including a Tea Room, General Store, Quilt Shop, Antiques and Kayak rentals. Port Gamble hosts a number of Events, attracting hundreds of guests every year for the Medieval Faire, Civil War Re-Enactments and spooky Ghost Walks. A Sunday Farmers and Antique Market runs May-October.  For the history buffs, you might be interested in finding the grave of the first US Navy man killed in battle in the NW. For those of you planning your dream wedding click here.  I hope you will come here at least once or whenever you need a Picket-Fence-Fix.

 Streets lined with old Maples, Elms and Picket Fences

The Welcoming Water Towers

 For those Girls Days

To satisfy any craving: ice cream on summer days, coffee on winter days, 

the new cafe for any day and a gift shop to browse in between.   

Old Glory

Directions
For North Sounders: take the Kingston ferry.
Mid Sounders: the Bainbridge or Bremerton ferry.
South Sounders: go for a drive.
Those of you without GPS, click here.