First stop: KOA-Port Angeles-Sequim campground. The roads were gravel. There was NO TV at all so the campground offered free DVD movies. The two RV Gypsies used their own Wi-Fi. The site itself was OK, with full hook-ups, but it was a back-in site. There was a small pool and playground, laundry, but the two RV Gypsies did not use any of this. Check-out time 11 a.m.

The two RV Gypsies and Ilse enjoyed lunch in the campground. Then off they went into the city. The two RV Gypsies never stay in the campground long. They park their RV, settle it in and go exploring the area. Despite living full-time in an RV, they are not campers.

Karen Duquette's sister Ilse took a couple of photos in the campground. Ilse Blahak wants recognition for photos she takes.

Then it was time to head into the city of Port Angeles.

Port Angeles is a city in Clallam County, Washington, United States. It is the largest city in the county.

The City's harbor was dubbed Puerto de Nuestra Senora de los Angeles (Port of Our Lady of the Angels) by Spanish explorer Francisco de Eliza in 1791. By the mid-19th century, after settlement by English speakers from the United States, the name was shortened and partially anglicized to its current form, Port Angeles Harbor.

Port Angeles is home to Peninsula College. It is the birthplace of football hall-of-famer John Elway and residents include writers and artists. The city is served by William R. Fairchild International Airport. Ferry service is provided across the Strait of Juan de Fuca to Victoria, British Columbia, Canada on the M/V Coho.

GEOGRAPHY: The city is situated on the northern edge of the Olympic Peninsula along the shore of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Port Angeles features a long and narrow natural sand spit named Ediz Hook that projects north-easterly nearly three miles into the Strait. Ediz Hook creates a large, natural deep-water harbor shielded from the storms and swells that move predominantly eastward down the Strait from the Pacific Ocean. Coast Guard Air Station / Sector Field Office (SFO) Port Angeles is situated on the end of Ediz Hook. The harbor is deep enough to provide anchorage for large ocean-going ships such as tankers and cruise ships. The south shore of Vancouver Island and the city of Victoria, British Columbia are visible across the Strait to the north.

Port Angeles is located in the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains, which means the city gets significantly less rain than other areas of western Washington. The average annual precipitation total is approximately 25  inches, compared to Seattle's 38 inches. Temperatures are moderated by the maritime location, with winter lows rarely below 25 degrees Fahrenheit, and summer highs rarely above 80 degrees F. However, in winter the city can be vulnerable to windstorms and Arctic cold fronts that sweep across the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Port Angeles receives about 4 inches of snow each year, but it rarely stays on the ground for long. Port Angeles is also the location of the headquarters of Olympic National Park, which encompasses most of the Olympic Mountains.

Below: Three photos of a nicely decorated fence by a mall entrance at The Landing. The fence was too long for one photo.

Below: A nautical fence

A replica of the original Liberty Bell - 5 feet tall - weighing 2,080 pounds and can be heard a distance of eight miles. Of course, Lee had to ring the bell each time he walked past it. The bell was made at the WHITE CHAPEL BELL FOUNDRY, the same foundry that made the original bell. In English, the bell had the words, "Peace through Trade." Stuff was written in other languages, maybe the same phrase.

Art Sculpture of an octopus

Lee likes photos of the sky and clouds.

The two RV Gypsies walked the distance of the short pier and Karen climbed the stairs to the top of the little tower (shown above) for a better view of the inner harbor, Port Angeles, and the Olympic Mountains, plus the small covered area with a stage that was hosting some sort of a free concert and was quite crowded with people (photo below). Ilse and Lee did not climb up the tower.

From the viewing platform at the top of the tower, Karen Duquette took photos of Ilse and Lee as they walked around the boardwalk below the tower.

Karen and Ilse walked a portion of the nearby 6.5 mile long Waterfront Trail, which was quite pretty, and gave decent views of the tower, ships, ducks and flowers.

After walking the trail, Karen and Ilse met up with Lee and walked around the Marine Life Center (which was closed) and Ennis Creek. The 1997 Nor'Wester Mural shown below depicts two scenes in the city's history.

Later, everyone relaxed by the pier and waited for the sunset. It wasn't great, but it was nice.

The BlackBall Ferry Line M.V. Coho is a vehicle and passenger ferry operating year round to Victoria, British Columbia. Below: The ferry arriving in the harbor.

The news said that The Northern Lights could be seen from Port Angeles on this date, so Karen, Lee and Ilse hung out waiting for an event that did NOT happen. After a bit Lee and Ilse got tired, so they left. In the meantime, Karen played around with some filter settings in her camera. It was a nice day.

Please return to the main menu for the state of Washington to view other areas the two RV Gypsies visited in Washington in 2015, plus a link to their adventures in Canada.