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The Seattle reunion has ended with the memories to be shared		Fort Worden Steve's account of the surrounding landscape.	Click on pictures to enlarge Haga click sobre las imágenes para ver
Salmon at the beach kitchen shelter		Sunny Day on the porch at Ft. Worden	Phyllis Jane & Bob in Seattle Steve and John in background

(below) Swapping stories on the beach at Fort Worden, Bob Siebring on far left and Jane Connell on far right.

PORT TOWNSEND UCAII VENEZUELA REUNION
(Steve Randel's invitation to make plans for September, 2002)

Port Townsend is a 30 minute ferry ride and an hour drive across the Puget Sound from Seattle to the Olympic Peninsula. Officially settled in 1851, it was also called the "City of Dreams" because of early speculation that it would be the largest harbor on the west coast and a terminus for the transcontinental railroad. Entrepreneurs and speculators built beautiful, ornate Victorian homes in the hills above a prosperous business district along the waterfront. At the turn of the century, the US Government built Fort Worden on the edge of the city to protect shipping lanes through the Straits of Juan de Fuca into the Puget Sound with gun emplacements.

After the railroad stopped in Tacoma and Seattle became the port of choice, Port Townsend saw a rapid decline in population. However, in the 1970's, people seeking an alternative life style flocked to Port Townsend because its 19^th century architecture and charm was virtually unchanged and the town offered inexpensive homes. These newcomers purchased the rundown and rotting Victorian homes and lovingly restored them, turning some into bed and breakfasts. New businesses, including artist studios, restaurants, taverns, and ice cream parlors, have revived the vacant store fronts in the well preserved, pioneer style buildings in the city center. The harbor that once promised commercial development is now a favorite destination and home port of private boat owners.

The State of Washington took over Fort Worden, turning it into a state park. Film makers have used the facility to make movies including "An Officer and Gentlemen" starring Richard Gere and Debra Winger. The handsome, three story officers quarters have been renovated and are available for group rentals. A large hangar built for dirigibles has been turned into a 2,500 seat theater. Other buildings have been converted to meeting rooms, dormitories, and a youth hostel. Each summer, Fort Worden stages a series of week long festivals featuring blues, jazz, classical, and blue grass music. The fort, which is on the water, also has a beach and camp ground.

Having a reunion at Fort Worden offers a number of opportunities for side trips for those attending. The Olympic National Park is nearby and offers a paved drive up to Hurricane Ridge which, at 6,500 feet altitude, offers a spectacular view of both the park's interior mountain range and the Straits of Juan de Fuca. A half hour drive away is the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge. This world's longest natural sand spit softens the rough sea waves to form a quiet bay and harbor, sand and gravel beaches, and tide flats and offers swimming for the hearty and day hiking opportunities. Before or after the reunion, there are a number of side trips that offer unforgettable travel experiences. Following are a few of those options:

Washington State and British Columbia members will offer travel advice and seminars for those wishing to extend their visit and overnight stays as longs as beds are available. Some web sites to review include the following: http://www.ptguide.com (for Port Townsend); http://www.olympus.net/ftworden (for Fort Worden); http://www.visitsun.com (for areas nearby to Port Townsend); http://www.olympicpeninsula.com (for areas further away but accessible).