A Great Blog

In the Moment

2009-03-26T11:11:00.000-07:00

"Love the moment, and the energy of that moment will spread beyond all boundaries" Corita Kent

Port Townsend Walking Tour

2009-01-15T15:17:00.000-08:00

The National Geographic Traveler has listed Port Townsend the 24th most authentically historic town in the world. Come stroll the streets and historic neighborhoods of this Victorian Seaport. You will discover not only local landmarks, but the people who give this town such a sense of place.

Water Street is Port Townsend's Main Street. It's tenor changes depending on the time of year and time of day. These pictures were taken just after daybreak on the winter solstice.

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Anscestral Spirits Gallery and the Water Street Brewery are located on the corner of Water Street and Quincy. The historic Quincy Street dock is no longer used for local ferry service, but that dock was featured in several scenes from the film, "Snow Falling on Cedars".

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Annette Huenke is the gallery director of Anscestral Spirits Gallery, which specializes in works of art by indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest, St. Lawrence Island, the Russian Urals and Siberia, with a sprinkling of South America's cultures represented as well. With her partner, Alex, she opened the gallery in 1993. A woman of conviction, passion and a huge heart , she is a local activist who 'walks the talk'. She is a familiar face and clear voice at many cultural and political events.

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Walking west down Water Street toward Taylor Street...

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William James Books has become a Port Townsend treasure and must see for the intellectually adventuresome.
Along the way you will discover all kinds of shops tucked away in historical buildings. Tickled Pink is full of intrigue.

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The Mad Hatter and Shadows is on Water Street just east of Taylor. It features a vast array of vintage collectibles and gifts as well as handcrafted hats by Janice Tucker.

In this interview our local hatmaker, Janice Tucker, tells us why the little black cat, Shadow, appears in the Mad Hatter & Co. sign.

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A photograph of Shadow Jones is nestled between original Maxfield Parrish art.

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Below is a view of Union Wharf and its surrounding shoreline. Water Street is aptly named, for it is no more than a stone's throw away from a chance to enjoy the beach and a majestic view of Admiralty Inlet and the Cascade Mountains to the east, Mount Baker to the north and the Olympic Mountains to the southwest.

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Union Wharf,

Local musicians and performance artists frequently use the southeast corner of Taylor and Water Street for an improptu stage. The south end of Taylor Street is where the Union Wharf hosts Tall Ships and other vessels on their way to ports of call.

For those who enjoy shopping, About Time is the epitome of northwest chic.

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Jackie Jackson has spent the last 12 years at About Time serving as a stylist for shoppers who would like to find an ensemble that complements their attributes. She appreciates this sense of theater, creation and camaraderie, and few people can spontaneously pull together a 'look' any better than she does.

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The view looking staight up from the sidewalk in front of About Time is a stunning surprise.

When you head for Union Wharf, be sure to check out the details on the exterior of the Hastings Building along Taylor Street.

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The Mount Baker Block, located on the northwest corner of Water and Taylor Streets, along with the Hastings Building, anchors the core of our downtown. One of the reasons Port Townsend is such a unique place is that the scale of buildings were designed during the late nineteenth century for a city local businessmen thought would become a great commercial port similar to San Francisco. They completed the buildings, but their grandiose ideas collapsed after only 30 miles of the track materialized between the northeastern tip of the Olympic Peninsula and Portland. The Romanesque buildings that evoke a grand scale remain. Much like Brigadoon, Port Townsend remains in a visual sense frozen in time.

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History buffs are not the only fans of Port Townsend. Our four legged friends enjoy Water Street for some old fashioned fun at the beach!

For those of you who think that the sun doesn't shine in Port Townsend during the winter, these pictures, which were taken on a January afternoon.

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The McCurdy Building, circa 1887, is located directly across Water Street from the Hastings Building.

The Sandcastle toy store, located in the McCurdy Building, is a favorite haunt for kids and grownups alike. Several generations of the young at heart have searched for treasure and discovered it here.

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Fountain District

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Galatea, in all her splendor, just before the dawn of the winter solstice.

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Only a block from Water Street, the Fountain District evokes the Victorian age.

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The Silverwater Cafe is located in the Fountain District, right across the street from Haller Fountain and the steps to the Uptown District.

Romantic Port Townsend

2008-02-15T14:00:00.000-08:00

Port Townsend has been on many lists of the most romantic places in America. It has also been regularly mentioned as one of the most romantic places to kiss in the Pacific Northwest. Speaking of romance, have you ever felt that you were inside an impressionist painting? Are there specific places around here that make you feel transported in time? While walking down Water Street one wintry morning I saw this scene and for a moment I felt like I could be in Paris during the late nineteenth century.

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The Romantic Port Townsend series is to be continued... If you would like to be involved in its creation, please contact oomcomments@aol.com.