Drive day: Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, Sequim, Washington

Day 37: June 29, 2021

We drive—and arrive—in Sequim, WA 

After a wonderful breakfast courtesy of the Black Diamond Bakery, we left the heat behind (it was actually quite a pleasant morning!) and headed to Sequim by way of the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. Today’s photos are of the estuary landscape and the barns that were part of the original Brown farm there. It was a beautiful drive, often near water, and mountains. We ate dinner at Jose’s Salsa, a Mexican place on one of the main streets here in Sequim. (Sequim is not pronounced like Sequin, but with an “m”—it’s pronounced like Swim, but with a K added: Skwim. Who knew? Sue Waller Fish knew, for one!)

We hit the Wildlife Refuge at low tide so there wasn’t much water around and that kept the animals away too.  Lots of birds were chirping in the willow thickets. This was a muddy estuary while we were there. We hiked 1.5 miles to the end of the boardwalk and then back to the truck. We were able to see (we brought field glasses) blue herons, seagulls, ducks, and a few eagles, but they were all from quite a distance.  It really was a lovely walk; I hope you enjoy the photos.

Two historic barns are all that is left of the old farm that once occupied this land.  Farmer Brown not only built the barns, but a huge dike to keep out the salt water from the Puget Sound. Maintaining that dike was a full time job!

Winter vetch and dandelions 

Swampy

Low tide at the estuary—at high tide this would be covered with water

Nature patterns

Mud

Mud, sticks, rivulets

Mount Rainier followed us!

More of the old barns

Blackberries

We’ll be in Sequim for four nights, three days. Stay tuned—lots to do here!