Coasts and Co-ops

So since we're still happily unemployed, we decided last week to take a day and drive out to the Olympic Peninsula to see what all the fuss was about. We chose Port Townsend as our destination and figured we would drive all the way there and then take the ferry back to Seattle.

The day was beautiful and the drive relaxing. We stopped off in some of the small communities on the way - so many homes and lots for sale! We checked out the little town of Gig Harbor and on our way out - BAM! Flat tire. We both recalled how we got a flat tire driving on the California coast, on the trip with the ring and the kneeling and proposin' marraige. So we knew we could stay in good spirits. A quick patch and we're back on the road.

Both ravenous by the time we arrived in Port Townsend, we quickly sat down to lunch and listened to the rude old lady at the table next to us. Will we be rude old folks? Don't people feel thay they're entitled to be rude once they get gray and wrinkled?
Food was great. Delicious fish & chips and a prime rib snadwich.

The Port Townsend downtown was quaint, with brick buildings constructed more than 100 years ago. Many held fading ads painted on the ocean-facing sides of the building.



The docks offered vast viewing of the sound, and the town was dotted with many old bookstores, all independently owned and crammed to the ceilings with all manner of old and interesing books. The whole place seems very distant and remote, partly because we were there in the off season.





Pretty cute, eh?


We of course did the obligatory stop at the local food co-op. It's such a comfort to walk amonog ailses of familiar products. More so than in the PCC stores we have visited here in the city, Port Townsend Co-op shoppers all seemed to know each other and all seemed to be fiercely proud of shopping at their Co-op. Loved it, though their version of the Golden Beet & Kale Salad just didn't have the right zing we've grown accustomed to in Davis. Always the Co-op nerd, it seemed I was wearing by Co-op Advantage beanie in this photo.


Then we also have to make the obligatory stop at the local brewery. (The sailor is pointing at Beth and yelling "Thar she brews!") The tiny tasting room was packed and got progressively more crowded. It was located right near the docks and many of the patrons donned well-worn hats and sweatshirts labeled Port Townsend Shipwright's Co-op. They love them some cooperation out in PT.

We took the Ferry Back from Bainbridge Island right into Downtown Seattle. By then it was dark so we were treated with the glowing nighttime skyline. Wonderful day. It felt pretty great to see the beautiful city and say, "we live there."