Steve, Tony, Port Townsend and Nice but Naughty Gnomes

Ventured up the Olympic Peninsula to a place called Port Townsend, Washington, the farthest west I will travel on this fun adventure 'o mine. Over the Hood Canal Bridge, passing bison that looked bored and places called Chimacum and Port Hadlock to visit a friend who relocated from VA to cool clime, inspiring sunsets and a right peaceful way 'o life.

Some of you know Steve Murphy from EEI teaching days, and it was a gift to see him again. Steve moved out here last January, and has been livin' the fine life ever since. Mapquest went awry with the directions, but thank goodness (just this time) for cellphones, 'cause Steve stood outside his new abode and directed the blue Bug and its confused passenger in for a safe landing.

And Steve had another friend visiting from VA. Tony, on his way to Alaska, stopped by to spend a day or two enjoying Steve's company. It was swell to meet him, as he is a cultured man. Well-traveled music-lover, adept at tossing out interesting conversation.

So Tony and I got the tour of Port Townsend, including a stop at Steve's sister Jeanie and brother-in-law Scott's house.

Scott is a maker of violins. Such an interesting, gracious man. We interrupted his toil, but he walked us about and showed us his workshop. Jeanie stopped by on her quest to complete a million errands, and I was very happy to meet her. She plays banjo, plus teaches English (online) for the University of Maryland and other fortunate schools. And they have a super swell Golden Retriever named T'Lou.

But beware of the gnomes in their garden.

One moment they are nice:

Turn your back for just a second and they are naughty:

And one of their townmates has an interesting way of displaying flowers:

All this just down the street from St. Herman of Alaska

where you can find St. John Maximovitvch and Michael the Archangel and other icons in a simple beautiful room.

Steve is an active member of the community. He is a spiritual man, someone who truly believes in life, and I have always admired his depth. It is a quiet belief that is his very own.

This morning we went to a eating establishment called

where the corned beef hash is homemade and you have to go outside to the blue/pink outer building to powder your nose. Locals called Frank and Jim hang out

and share with you today's horoscope from the local news, as well as a story about a New Zealand woman who encountered a ghost who grabbed her right ankle in a back room where she was sleeping on the second floor of The Bishop hotel in town.

Plus the business card of Steve's real estate agent hangs on the Land Fall's community bulletin board,

a nice man we met on the street the previous evening when we were taking a stroll after supper, bound to purchase a scoop or two of ice cream.

So the faithful Bug and I left Steve and Tony this a.m. to motor down to the ferry to travel east towards Spokane and then Glacier National Park.



Thanks, you guys. Watch out for those gnomes.

Comments

[Barb]

Steve! Clearly leaving Framemaker and the D.C. area suits you. I'm so glad to see you looking so well. Enjoy,

~barb