Even on a short trip to Port Townsend, Washington, it is impossible not to notice the prevalence of water. It is a part of the charm here. The town of a little over 9000 people rests on the north end of the Quimper Peninsula, which is on the northeastern point of the Olympic Peninsula. To the north of Pt. Townsend is the Straight of Juan de Fuca, and any boat that passes the Victorian seaport headed south enters into the Admiralty Inlet, which leads to Puget Sound.
Above is the view looking to the northeast, about where the Juan de Fuca meets the Admiralty Inlet. On the left behind the small bluff you can see the docked ferry that makes regular trips between Port Townsend and Whidbey Island. In the distance are some the Northern Cascades, looking into Canada. Below is a photo with my sketchbook looking in the same direction (take notice of what I usually end up using as my palette: my left hand).
In the other direction, in the case of these photos looking to my right, one can spy the Olympic Mountains, much bigger in their appearance due to their close proximity. A drive into the mountains can take less than two hours, depending where you're headed, making absolutely stunning hikes just a day trip away.
View of the Olympics beyond the shipyard.
The water and clear-day views are only a part of the beauty of this charming and classical town. The preserved, Victorian-style architecture and sense of community really make this place what it is.
View of the Cascades from Pt. Townsend
Keep an eye out for the sequel to this blog post, with sketches not just looking out from the town's many beaches, but of the place itself.
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