Twelve weeks, the longest we’ve stayed in one place since we launched our travels in July 2023. We have been the campground hosts while here. As I write this we are packing up for a travel day as we pass the torch to the next hosts.

The part I will miss most is being only 10 minutes away from my daughter and her fiance…but we shall return!

Peaceful Mornings

Each morning I walk both loops of the campground as I update reserved tags on the campsites. Mondays and Tuesdays are the best as it is often so quiet I can hear my own heart beating (and a mysterious clicking sound, is that my hip? my back? sheesh) as I walk. During this time I become part of my surroundings – the tall, silent trees, bouncy ferns, mushrooms that seem to pop up overnight, and a Great Horned Owl that I would sometimes see next to site 31 either on a branch or on the ground eating breakfast.

In contrast, my weekend morning rounds have been entertaining with campers often struggling to make their way to the shower house and the entire campground smelling like a giant IHOP with all the sausage and bacon being cooked. Some campers stop and chat and give me the scoop on who was a little loud the night before or which large branch crashed to the ground overnight…drama!

The Kind Locals

There have been several sets of local couples Greg and I have gotten to know a bit during our time here. They have been walking this park each day for many years and take a personal interest in the well-being of “their” park. They walk side-by-side, often holding hands. It is refreshing! They are all amazingly kind, and we are so grateful to have met them.

It took us about a month to really get everyone’s names straight due to the uncanny name similarity each couple shares:

• Bob & Vicky: We could always count on them to bring us mini candy bars and mints. Bob and Greg could chat all day about Navy stuff and anything else military. Vicky is a hoot-and-a-half.
• Bob & Judy: Lovely couple who walk their dog most days in the park. They had successful careers and now travel to amazing places and share great stories. They surprised us with homemade zucchini bread and jam before we left. Such kind people!
• Ron & Judy: They live in the neighborhood and walk over 10 miles most days! They have an idyllic yard and garden. They generously kept us supplied with fresh cucumbers, zucchini, green beans, apples, raspberries (and jam) and tomatoes. Their orange-colored cherry tomatoes taste like candy. Lovely and authentic people.
• I feel like there is another couple with a Ron component. I just can’t remember…

The Campers (and Some Pretty Cool Pets)

We have enjoyed meeting the campers at the park. Some will remain friends and will keep in touch. What a great gift that is!

We’ve met campers who are full-timers like us, by choice. Some are full-timers due to hard times. Some car camp. Some tent camp. And others miraculously and skillfully cram a 45-foot, triple axle camper into a state park campsite. We’ve met a lot of people seeking a peaceful reprieve from their chaotic Seattle lives. Some camp here during family reunions or as part of a wedding in the park.

The children we have met have been awesome. We try to make a connection with them and they always make us laugh. Some have amazed us with their observations and curiosity about nature. They love to wave at us going by in the Gator or race us on their scooters and bikes. I love seeing kids doing something that doesn’t involve a screen of any kind.

Even Mundane Tasks Have beautiful views

Laundry: At Mrs. Sparkles I could sit and gaze out at the water while doing laundry or walk across the street and actually sit on the beach during the wash cycle…not a tropical beach, very urban, but lovely and with views of The Olympic Mountains on a clear day.

Driving Anywhere: The store, my daughter’s house, gas station…each trip could included several miles on Beach Drive with views of aircraft carriers docked in Bremerton, sailboats, huge ferries, Harbor Seals, eagles, and The Olympic Mountains. So nice!

Getting a Haircut: The salon I went to for my first haircut in eight months (way back in Grass Valley, CA) was located right on the water with a view of Seattle and Blake Island. Mediocre haircut with a stellar view.

Eating Dinner: There is a really good pizza place in Port Orchard called Damn Fine Pizza that has awesome pinball machines and is located right on the water. We watched an eagle stalk and kidnap a full-sized water fowl while we were eating. Reality dinner theater?

Awesome Campsite Critters

Nemo and Cleo (our cats) enjoyed viewing a wide variety of critters from their catio: chipmunks, squirrels, raccoons, Juncos, Steller’s Jays, ravens, crows, Towhees…I’m sure there are things they are not telling us about.

We’ll Be Back!

Something unique about this area is that it appears that most people do NOT take the beauty of this region for granted. They appreciate it and often move away and then return because they miss it. I haven’t had that inclination for even one moment about anything east of the Mississippi.