June 21, 2016 - Hama Hama Legacy

Most schools in Washington are either out, or soon will be out.  That means that camps and lodges, such as this one at at Camp Robbinswold on Hood Canal, will soon be full of kids enjoying time at camp.  Camp Robbinswold is owned and operated by the Girl Scouts of Western Washington.  It is located outside of a spot on a map called "Lilliwaup".  The Girl Scouts claim they have been "doubling the population of Lilliwaup since 1928" with their annual influx of camp staff and campers.

The waterfront property of Camp Robbinswold is prime real estate.  Most of this land was donated to the organization by the Hama Hama Logging Company in the 1920s.  Their generosity has allowed thousands and thousands of Girl Scouts to enjoy camp at an extremely unique setting.  Canoeing, sea kayaking and sailing   The lodge itself was built by the Clise Family in 1939.   

The new dock at low tide.

June 23, 2015 - Port Gamble

On a bluff, of a small bay, on the Olympic Peninsula, near the start of the arm of Puget Sound known as Hood Canal, is the small historical community of Port Gamble.  A logging town founded in the mid 1800s, the nearby forests of the Olympic Peninsula provided an abundance of lumber that was milled and shipped from Port Gamble.  By 1862 over 19 million board feet of lumber were being exported from the Puget Mill Company to countries around the world.

The restored examples of mid-19th century colonial architecture that comprise the Port Gamble Historic District have been designated a National Historic Landmark.

Port Gamble is on the way to places with names like Quilcene...

...or Lilliwaup or Robbinswold....

...and the best way to get there is by ferry.

...and if you miss a boat, well you just take in the view until the next one.