A short trip to Port Townsend
A short trip to Port Townsend
I’ve been wanting to see a little bit more of the area. My friend told me that Port Townsend was a nice little town, so over the Thanksgiving weekend we did a day trip there.
It’s about 80 miles once we get off the ferry, so it wasn’t a bad drive at all. It was actually very nice to be off the confines of the island, and just drive. We stopped in Port Orchard on the way, and we are planning on going there again and spending more time.
We had lunch in Port Townsend at an amazing Thai restaurant, then we wandered in the historic downtown for a little while. It was cold and windy, so our wanderings din’t last too long. I love the old buildings in the town though. There are a few of these corner buildings. I love corner buildings, why can’t they build like that still?
Architecture back in the day was so artistic. Love it.
And the original street art. Advertising.
There is a wonderful store just before you get into Port Townsend. They sell vintage lighting, hardware, and some furniture. I LOVE vintage lighting. Again, they really knew how to make things beautiful back in the day.
There was so much to see. Upstairs they have a room that is an antique lighting museum. There were some great art nouveau fixtures. Sadly, and oddly, the lighting wasn’t good so I couldn’t get any good photos.
On the way back home we had to stop at this barn. I saw it when we were driving there, but we couldn’t stop. It looks like a Dr. Suess barn to me. I imagine that stuff just rots away from all the moisture here.
It was a nice drive, and a nice day.
I also got the little boxes with sea glass, done for my nieces. I painted the boxes and then attached the shells and glass. I was going to grout in between, but I think it’s actually better without. And not as heavy.
I think they’ll like them.
I still have some framed photos available in my Etsy shop. Photos on old corrugated metal, painted frames, and wood frames. They are all 8 x 10 and ready to hang. Perfect for gifts. Use the coupon code FIVEBUCKSOFF to get $5 off any framed print.
I don’t know why, but that is one town I have heard about and have always wanted to visit!! I don’t even know if I will ever get to Washington, but I truly enjoyed looking at your photos! What a cute town! And I love Thai food. I have a book called, “The 100 Best Little Art Towns in America”. I bought it years ago…I think it was published in the late 90’s. I have visited MANY of those towns and they are all awesome! Port Townsend was in that book! I just looked the book up on Amazon and you can have it for just one CENT! hahahaha! I am glad you enjoyed your little day trip! The boxes you made are just gorgeous and I’m sure your nieces will love them!
I’ll have to look up that book, that sounds way interesting.
I have heard Port Townsend was a great town to visit. I would like to explore some of the shops. The sea glass boxes are cute, your nieces will love them. Happy Monday, enjoy your new week!
We would like to go back, there were some shops we didn’t get to.
THAT BARN! MARY! That would make a fantastic CARD! Wow, unbelievably charming visit! Yes, I love towns like this where the architecture takes you back to a time you didn’t even live through, but can feel as you walk in these structures. I know what you mean about walking into these places, wanting to take so many photos but the lighting is just not conducive to great photos. But you captured enough of the magic to show us this wonderful place. HAVE FUN!
That barn would make a fun card, wouldn’t it. Despite the bad photo conditions, it was fun to just get what I could. Sometimes that’s all there is.
you have THE EYE for special things around you… that’s just great to discover so much things we wouldn’t notice when we walk by. your cam is sometimes like a time machine… is it from a magic store?
LOL, no magic store. I’m just weird like that about noticing odd stuff.
Love that building — it’s so beautiful!
As are the lamps and your sea glass boxes.
Oh my goodness! It’s too late to help that barn, I fear. I do love the building in your first two photos and the boxes you painted and decorated with glass and shells will be loved, I;m sure!
We love Port Townsend. Fort Worden State Park has two campgrounds, the one at the beach is especially nice!
LOVE the barn!
Yes, we saw the campground on the beach and wished we could stay there.
That barn looks like Noah’s Ark.
The boxes are neat and I like that you didn’t use grout. The girls could add little trinkets they find.
Lol, it does, doesn’t it.
That barn is super cool looking!
Love the old architecture. Why don’t we build buildings like that anymore? They are so pretty. Cute town.
I know….why?
That building is AMAZING. I agree with you that architecture and the artistry of antique things are unparalleled. I work occasionally at a couple antiques auctions and I always marvel at the beauty, artistry and craftsmanship of older things. And when I find an old town that’s either filled with Victorian beauties or just old unique homes, I can’t get enough. I was blown away by the picture of that barn – I love travelling the back roads and I always see unique things, but I’ve never seen a barn collapsing the way that one is. It seems to be going down with style and grace! I’m really enjoying seeing all these incredible things on your journey. :)
The old architecture around here was unexpected for me. But I love it. Everything was just…..better, back in the day.
I love old architecture too! And, yeah, why don’t they make things so nice anymoe?! That barn is so cool, and the boxes came out greatt!
We’ve been to Port Townsend before. We had a nice time – but having no clue about the Twilight books/movie, we just happened to be there during “Bella’s birthday ball”. Yep – a ball to celebrate a fictional characters’ birthday. We had no clue. And it meant we couldn’t get into any of the good restaurants! Crazy.
Geezs, I would be clueless too. I love the barn, I may need more photos. Lol
What a neat place to visit and a great outing! Of course mom is partial because she has the same name as the port. She’s pretty sure it’s not the same Townsend’s though. She had a great uncle that moved his family to Pendleton, OR but that was well after this I assume. Love Dolly
Great photos. I have once been in Port Townsend, but didn’t have the same lovely weather you obviously had.
Like you, I love Victorian architecture. But the funny thing is that it was criticized in its day for being shoddy because it wasn’t hand made.
Those pretty ornaments on the corner building were probably pressed metal. And the bead board we like so much on an old porch ceiling? It was the equivalent of plywood in its day.
I guess it’s a good reminder that fast and cheap is sometimes also beautiful. And that time makes lots of things even more interesting.
The jewelry boxes are so pretty, I bet your nieces love them.
I saw that photo of the barn on Facebook, I hope they aren’t still using it, it looks dangerous!