Well….we are in the Army BUNKERS anyway.
Last week was a family weekend – driving miles to make the rounds visiting family. It is always renewing to connect with the ones you love but it doesn’t leave us a whole lot of room to sneak in an outdoor adventure.
We went to Port Townsend to visit my step-dad and made a stop at Fort Warden State Park while we were there. It is just around the corner from one of our favorite Port Townsend beach hikes out to Glass Beach.
Fort Worden was an active US Army base from 1902 to 1953 for the protection of Puget Sound. The Army built a a lot of military bunkers so they could watch for and shoot at enemy ships threatening to attack Seattle and other Puget Sound Cities.
Washington State Parks started collecting fees and requiring a parking pass (called the Discovery Pass) since I was there last. We believe in supporting the public lands we love and own a pass but totally forgot we would need it on this trip. We got lucky the day we visited because it was a “free parking” day due to the holiday so we didn’t need a pass.
Since we were short on time, we spent most of our time at the big bunker along the beach. There is a big parking lot there and it is just a short walk away. Because of the easy access, this bunker has been vandalized more than the others but it is still really neat.
It was very cold and kind of windy when we were there but we toughed it out for about an hour. I was able to get some great photos that weren’t blurry from the dog’s shaking 🙂
I think we actually wimped out in the cold before Chester and Gretel did. I don’t mind the actual cold but the wind was biting. We all scurried back to the car to warm up.
Fort Warden is a lot of fun. I spend a fair amount of time there while I was growing up so I tend to take it for granted. I have snooped around every cool and scary bunker there.
This was the first time S had been there. He likes history and mechanical things (there are remnants of old gears used to move artillery all over the place) so he was getting real curious about the bunkers up on the hill. Next time we go back to Port Townsend we will definitely have to spend some more time there.
Tegan says
January 29, 2012 at 8:50 PMGreat pictures! I do think the pooches look a bit cold, though – even with their jackets! (Or maybe they’re just great at the ‘sad face’.)
AdventureJess says
January 29, 2012 at 8:55 PMNo…we were all freezing. It was windy and cold. It was a very short tour 🙂
AdventureJess says
January 29, 2012 at 10:16 PM…but they HAVE perfected the “sad face”. Gretel pretty much looks perpetually sad 🙂
Bassetmomma says
January 30, 2012 at 5:51 AMWow! That bunker is neat! What a great adventure you managed to fit in!
Mary and Roxy says
January 30, 2012 at 6:48 AMThat looks like a neat place. Love the photos too.
Snoopy@snoopysdogblog says
January 30, 2012 at 7:24 AMEvery trip out is an adventure, right guys?!
I’m digging those jackets – you sure needed them to keep you warm on that day 🙂
Big wags,
Your pal Snoopy 🙂
Katie says
January 30, 2012 at 7:31 AMThis is why I want to get an RV and just drive around the States one day! What a neat place with great history! We would love to explore here. Beautiful photos, and Chester looks so manly and tough in his sweater!
AdventureJess says
January 30, 2012 at 7:33 AMAppropriate no? Camo jacket at an Army base 🙂
We would love to travel the country one day to. Do you follow GoPetFriendly’s blog?
Jules says
January 30, 2012 at 7:39 AMCool! We camped at Fort Warden for several nights during our 3 month camping trip last summer. (YES, get an RV-you’ll LOVE it!) We hiked all over the Fort. very cool!
AdventureJess says
January 30, 2012 at 4:17 PMI spent a lot of time up there are a teenager. Glad it was one of the places you got to see while you were here. It’s really neat. I love Port Townsend in general.
Roberta says
January 30, 2012 at 8:25 AMWhat a great place to visit – on a warmer day. Your pics are super. My dad, a WWII vet, would have loved to see this.
AdventureJess says
January 30, 2012 at 4:17 PMIt is a very interesting place. It can be a little creepy when you start exploring the secret passage ways though (at least to me)
Higgins says
January 30, 2012 at 8:37 AMGood thing y’all had those warm jackets on! It looks cold!!
~Higgins
2browndawgs says
January 30, 2012 at 1:54 PMThose bunkers look quite imposing. Beautiful pictures of the dogs. I am sure being around the water made the wind feel colder. You did well to tough it out and get such nice photos.
AdventureJess says
January 30, 2012 at 4:15 PMI am sure the moisture in the air made it colder and that point is known for being windy often. The trees are even deformed a little from it.
houndstooth says
January 30, 2012 at 8:27 PMWhat a fabulous place to snoop around! I’d have loved stopping there. You got some fantastic pictures! Color me jealous!
Dexter Dog says
January 31, 2012 at 12:17 AMThat looks like an interesting place, great pics too.
Mydogshampoostore.com says
January 31, 2012 at 11:34 AMThose are great pictures. It does look like Chester and Gretel were getting cold. I love their sweaters. I have never seen a picture of a bunker. Thanks for sharing the pictures and story.
Stay warm.