Gallivanting Into 2011: Day 4, Port Townsend

Day 4 dawned, and we appreciated our wonderful apartment even more once we saw the view from our windows and deck. While we had a few great days on the road, we were also happy to stay in one place for a couple days and enjoy the local sites.  We had had the foresight to pick up groceries when we arrived in town, so we enjoyed a leisurely morning, with Eddie changing his driving hat for his chef's hat.
 

Port Townsend turned out to be just as charming as promised in the guide book.  The town experienced its heyday in the last 1800s, and most buildings of significance seem to date from that time.  Apparently the town suffered a set back when the hoped-for railroad terminus chose Seattle as its final stop; the Fort Worden Coast Guard Air Station and a lumber mill (the settings for An Officer and a Gentleman) kept the town afloat in the 1900's, but it never really took off as did other towns on Puget Sound.

From our perspective, this failure to thrive was a good thing.  A lack of funds meant that local buildings and facilities were not "improved" with the municipal eyesores that abound in towns that prospered in the 1960s-80s.  Instead, things appear to be much the same in Port Townsend as they were when it was founded--further improved when a revitalization hit the town in the 1990s, after it earned National Historic Landmark designation.  All in all, we had a nice afternoon strolling the main street, touring Fort Worden, and driving (It continued to be COLD!) through residential neighborhoods with beautiful Victorian houses.

After a bit of exploring, we returned to our wonderful domicile and settled in. 

We spent the remainder of our day relaxing and enjoying the fire--with another great meat from Chez Eddie.  It was an excellent reminder that the best parts of a vacation are often the moments we take to do nothing at all.