A few weeks ago someone turned on the switch for springtime! Just like that, the skies cleared and the temperatures started to rise.

We still get some cold nights and cloudy days, but this corner of the Pacific Northwest is letting go of the grey winter pattern. The nearby Olympic Mountains still have lots of snow, but down here on the water, we are doing great!

So, now that it is over, what are my thoughts about wintering here? I knew it would be drier and less rainy than other nearby areas. I also knew I would still have a fair share of grey days, even if it didn’t rain as much. I knew that, theoretically, I could see snow but it was highly unlikely. I knew that I might be disappointed after winter and need to keep looking for a new home base.

It was exactly how I thought it would be, not too rainy but a fair amount grey skies. Not too cold, but the moist air made it seem chilly most of the time. The snow, of course, was legendary, but I am not holding that against this area. It was a once-in-a-lifetime snowfall.

An important part of my analysis was how it compared to NM, where I spent the previous two winters. I kept close tabs on weather down there thanks to my friends who passed in and around the area. They also had two snow storms and lots of colder days. Furthermore, once again everyone was battered by the winter and spring winds. Winds here in WA were minimal! The only thing NM had was sunny days, regardless of the temps.

There is more to it than weather, of course.  I enjoy living here a great deal. I love the library, the people I meet, and the seacoast scenery and vibe. I love hiking and beach walks. The area has many farmer’s markets with luscious and even exotic foods.  As I hike and explore, I am learning about new trees, plants, and flowers. It is simply much more stimulating for me than any other place I have lived (except maybe Tucson when I was at the University there in the 70s). So, yes, this is my new home base!

The only downsides to this area are the cost of living and the homeless situation. Sequim has a few homeless but nearby Port Angeles and Seattle, of course, are a mess. People live all over in homeless camps and leave human excrement in public places. Drug problems are intertwined with the homeless situation and no one really knows what to do. Each community tries something new but it always seems to fail. I don’t know what will happen over time.

Now, it is time to think about my summer.  I have to say that, after wintering so long in one place, I am getting eager to move around and explore. I am heading out at the end of April but decided to reduce my carbon footprint by staying in WA, exploring new nooks and crannies here. I was thinking about going without the RV – just van camping this time. However, I am now leaning towards taking the RV. I may change back and forth over the summer, depending on how things go. For sure, I will come back to the Peninsula in late June to stow the RV and board Tango so I can fly to Alaska for a week, leaving from Seattle.

In the meantime, I am doing great with my long distance walking program. I am up to 5 miles. It is not a comfortable 5 miles yet. My feet and shoes are adjusting still. Also, the section of the Olympic Penisula Trail where I did 5 miles was paved, so every inch of my body ached. I hope to find some unpaved sections for the longer walks. I did recover quickly, though, from the aches. I took some Ibuprofen that night and by the morning I was fine. That was a relief and means that I should be able to adjust and build my body over time. My short term goal is 10K (6.6 miles). A year from now I want to be up to 15K (approx 10 miles). Then, 15K every day for a week when I walk part of the Camino de Santiago in Spain. I am thinking about that for either Holy Week next April or next September. Either way, it is something awesome to look forward to, and it keeps me motivated to walk often. I am a member of several Camino hiker groups on FB and learning from them a little more each day. I have also already signed up for the Department of State travel advisories for Spain, which has its unfortunate share of terrorist attacks. Most likely I would fly into Madrid and take a train to my starting point.

My little container garden is doing GREAT, despite a return to frigid nights. The seeds finally germinated, and I now have 3 pots of tiny kale plants and one pot of basil.

Another thrill is watching the tide patterns. Sequim Bay is across the street from me, and Tango and I walk through the Marina waterfront park twice a day. The tides vary considerably. On a recent very low tide, Tango and I walked way out. He chased after the water squirts sent up by the buried clams. We also enjoy hanging out at the mouth of the nearby estuaries, watching the spring melt run into the bay.

We see birds everywhere at the park. Some ducks are getting ready to move north to Arctic breeding grounds after winter. Some birds are coming in for the summer, like the Robins. Others are migrating through. We are pretty much right under the Pacific Flyway.

Most important: Tango is well! Tomorrow he gets his spring haircut. I let it grow out over the winter to keep him warm but he is a shaggy mess at the moment. In a few weeks, he gets his annual shots. April is the month for all things needed for Tango before we head out each Spring.

As for me, I have a pervading sense of peace, even happiness right now. I am glad that I settled down for a spell to catch my breath and regroup. I have lots to do here, great new destinations to explore, and some good healthy walking goals!

So, that is the news from Sequim and the Marina RV park that is currently our home! Happy Spring!