Sunday, November 02, 2008
Hurricane Ridge
One of the must-see sights on the Peninsula, Hurricane Ridge is considered the crown of Olympic National Park. The visitor’s center at the summit is a great trailhead for many paths offering breathtaking views of the glacier-clad peaks of the Olympic Mountains, panoramic views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and alpine meadows. The trails were designed to ensure all age ranges could enjoy the area’s beauty, from easy walks to more testing hikes. Enjoy your own picnic lunch or enjoy a light snack from the visitor center and spend the day at the Ridge; cap it off by watching an awesome sunset. A call to the park center will tell what the weather is like above the clouds. A clear sunny day makes the experience spectacular. Driving time is about 1 hour 30 minutes to get up to the 5200 ft. elevation, but the views are second to none.
Lake Crescent and Marymere Falls
A photographer’s delight, Lake Crescent offers ever changing opportunities throughout the year. A favorite for many visitors, the area offers a range of short walks along the tree-lined water’s edge as well as an uphill hike to the majestic Marymere Falls, cascading with water from the snowy peaks of the Olympic mountains.
Spend time at Lake Crescent Lodge, one of Roosevelt’s favored hunting spots. Dining offers a good selection of affordable dishes and most tables offer a view of the lake. In addition to the regular items, the gift shop offers a wide range of local native crafts.
Lavender Farms
Wherever you go in Sequim, the smell of lavender is never far away. The annual lavender festival in mid-July brings nearly 30,000 visitors to the area, though several lavender farms offer visitors the opportunity to pick their own throughout the summer. As the lavender capital of America, Sequim’s local stores also stock a myriad of lavender products, from lavender lattes to salad dressing.
Sequim isn’t just about lavender though. The areas only private creamery opened its doors to the public in the summer of 2006 with a variety of fresh milk and dairy products from their own cattle. A local co-operative of organic farms produces local fruit and vegetables. These farms open their doors annually for the farm tour in mid September.
Dungeness Golf Course
Sequim’s temperate climate and low rainfall provides excellent golfing conditions especially when you consider our 13″ of annual rainfall to Seattle’s 38″, Palm Springs’ 17″ or Pebble Beach at 27″. Sequim Quality Inn & Suites has partnered with the area’s most prestigious golf course to offer great golfing packages.
The 6,456 yard, 18 hole Championship course offers superb conditions, a grass driving range and great views of the Olympic Mountains. With four sets of tees to choose from, and some testing pin positions, you’re sure to enjoy yourself whatever your skill level.
Dungeness Spit & Lighthouse
Located at the end of America’s longest natural spit, the Dungeness Lighthouse is still in operation, serving the shipping lanes of the strait of Juan de Fuca. The 5½ mile hike affords wonderful views of the Olympic mountains and Vancouver Island. Keep a camera handy to catch eagles and other sea-birds as they fly gracefully overhead, or varieties of marine life lying on the beach or swimming in the strait. The Dungeness recreation area also has a playground for families with younger children.