I finished my Sequim To-Do-List in less than a week. As I sat around wondering what to do for the rest of September, Fort Worden Historic State Park called me. Their September volunteer had not shown up and they needed someone to fill in for the month. This time, instead of camp hosting, I would be volunteering in the Coastal Artillery Museum. “Sure, I would love to help out,” I said. Fort Worden is a preserved Army Fort whose soldiers protected the entrance into Puget Sound from around 1900-1969.

I should have asked more questions! This is too much like a real job. It turns out, I operate the museum, by myself. I open in the morning, turn on all of the displays and lights, retrieve cash from the safe, and set up the register. From 11-4 I take money, sell things from the gift shop, answer questions, and turn on the intro movie. After closing up, I count the money, reconcile the register, set the money back in the safe, turn on the alarm, and stumble 1/4 mile uphill to my home in volunteer village (RV spaces with full hookups). A previous volunteer trained me for a few hours and gave me my keys. It was two days before I met the director who is also a volunteer and pops by sporadically.

Fortunately, the money system is computerized and easy to follow. Finding light switches is not difficult. BS-ing comes naturally. During down times I have been reading the books in the gift shop and learning the fort’s history. I can actually answer questions now. This is especially interesting because it is an artillery museum, focused completely on the military mission of the coastal forts. Previously I had no interest in the topic but am happy for the opportunity to learn something new and interesting. I am enjoying my time here.

Fort Worden Historic Park is wonderful. It has a campground or you can stay in a hotel room in one of the historic buildings. Officer houses are also for rent. It has two museums and a marine science center on the grounds. Buildings not used by Washington Parks are rented for community events, including concerts. The campground is along the beach and is wonderfully roomy and open. On foggy mornings I hear ships calling out to each other, a comforting, peaceful sound. The park is on the edge of Port Townsend, my favorite town in this area. What is not to like, now that I have mastered my “job.”

I am only a half hour or so from Sequim, so I returned while I was off this week to do laundry and get mail and groceries. Tango and I walked on our favorite portion of the Olympic Discovery Trail. I return again next week to get the oil changed in the van. It also needs an alignment and new tires.

I discovered that the transition to fall is quick around here. The first night I was at Fort Worden, we had thunder and lightening. It was a rare, grand storm, which turned out to be the announcement of a new season. Ever since the skies have been gray and rainy. It is the usual fall/winter rain now: quiet and gentle. Soaking down to the bones. The skies remain mostly cloudy and even a sluggish grey when it is not raining. The only difference between now and winter is that the trees still have leaves.

The stately trees are transitioning to fall, too. After the thunderous announcement, the trees started to quickly change color and soon leaves will fall en masse. I remember discovering the fallen, giant maple leaves last November and am watching them turn right now. However, this year I will be gone before I get to pick up the lea