2015-22 Olympia Peninsula (again) Washington State

2015-22

Olympia Peninsula (again)

Ocean Shores on the Pacific Coast, Breeeezy

Ocean Shores
Seabrook
Pacific Beach

Campground:  Elks Club Campground.  $15.00 30 amp electric and water.  Dump station available.  Nice large grassy sites (currently dry and yellow).  Elks membership not required at this site.

nice spacious sites, water/elect 30 amp

Distance Traveled:  5 miles

I moved from the casino over to the Elks club, waiting to head on up the coast to Port Townsend… the fairgrounds is busy until after the 17th of August when I’ll be able to move up there.

Another short trip report.

My friends and I headed out on Tuesday to check out some locations that they thought I might enjoy including a few campgrounds along the Pacific Coast side of the Olympia Peninsula.  Driving across the peninsula we saw the heavily forested land with the occasional patch that had been harvested for all that sought after wood.  Funny to see a sign indicating a “tree farm”.  What’s up with that, it’s all trees up here!  I’m told much of it is shipped to Japan and overseas in raw form.  Not much help for the lumber yards in the area since little to no processing is done in the states.

Our first stop is to the seaside town of Ocean Shores.  Inland the daytime temperatures were expected to go up to 90 degrees.  Here on the Pacific Ocean with a heavy breeze the temps are in the mid 60s.  Sunny, but just a tad too brisk for my liking.  I’m told that the beach can be very pleasant when the winds die down.  Amazing to see young kids still playing on the edge of the ocean and getting all wet against the crashing waves.  Everyone all bundled up but attempting to get the most of the day.  Kind of a sad statement on our society though when I notice every other person is checking messages on there cell phones instead of looking at the breathtaking scenery.

Ocean Shores, not many tourist shops but this one was cool

a breezy 65 degrees

every other person was using their cell phones

a favorite shot of mine this week

Our next stop was north on HWY 109 to Seabrook a new community that got it’s start in 2004.  Now it is a smart seaside community completely planned to include cottages, small homes and deluxe houses along with an almost completed downtown area where shops are beginning to serve this new community.  Amazing to see someone’s vision for an entire community come to life in such a short amount of time.  Cottages start at $300,000 and estate homes are in the 2 million dollar range.  The final completion will have 450 homes, currently 250 privately owned homes and additional rental homes are completed.  Over 50% of all homes are available for rent.  They are building approx. 30 homes each year.  My Florida friend Patrick would love touring this place.

sorry for all the bad pictures, all taken rather quickly

the new community center

most parking is behind each home

the shopping area

entering Seabrook

rental cottages

main house and guest house in the shape of old water tower

Then it was onto a old military housing area that is now used as a Fam-camp site called Pacific Beach Resort and Recreation Center, Navy.  Both houses/cottages and campsites are available to military and retired DoD employees.  We stopped to check it out as I’m able to use facilities like this being a retired DoD employee.  The campsites are around $25 a night or $140 per week and have some have ocean views.  An interesting option for camping in the area.  Nice campsites around a paved loop and paved Rv pad.  Onsite restaurant.

looking for an Rv park that never got built... still a fun search

Even checked out a non existent Rv resort at the end of the hwy.  Seems it was someone’s dream that has never come to fruition.   And back down the road we took a quick peak at the Quinault Beach Casino that has dry camp sites, no hookups and they charge for the campsites which back up the ocean, but no ocean view.   I understand the cost is $5 on weekends and free during the week.  Just another of the many possibilities for camping along the Pacific coast of Washington along with many Mom and Pop Rv campgrounds in the area.

Next stop will be Port Townsend Washington with two really fun excursions planned by Ferry Boat. One to Canada and the other to Whidbey Island La Conner, home of the author Tom Robbins.