Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival '2022

As I had shared, it had been along time since I had visited the Port Townsend Wooden Boat Fest. I think '2007 was the last time I had showed my artwork there. I knew the festival had been canceled the last 2 years due to COVID, so maybe this year will be extra special. and...Indeed it was!

The whole mission to Port Townsend (aka PT) this weekend was to reunite my self with the maritime "vibe" of the Pacific Northwest. The People, their Boats, their Lifestyle and the Region around them. I wanted to confirm that everything as I had remembered it, was still there.....thankfully ...it was!

Saturday morning I left Fauntleroy, West Seattle, on the ferry to Southworth. I wanted to drive the long way to Port Townsend. Make a road trip out of this occasion, Right!

Let's Do This!

It was beautiful "pre-fall" weather.

There were fires burning in Eastern Washington, and the smoke was pretty thick as I left Fauntleroy on the ferry. Visibility about 1 1/2 miles. The smoke was even thicker as I got closer to PT, which made for some great "Sunset" shots as you will see.

On the back road to PT, I passed through Harper and Harper Landing, which years ago was one of the only passenger-vehicle ferry boat docks on the "Peninsula" side of the sound. Adjacent to the ferry dock shown in this photo (upper left) was an old service station (below center).

This resident, happened to have lived near the service station back in the '50's and proudly shared this old photo album of the service station when the ferry boat was still running. He was in several of the album photos as a kid. The People and their Stories.

Obviously the ferry "Don't Run Here No More!", so the old Gas Station has been to converted to a road side

haberdashery or sorts, with local artwork, plants, posters, homemade bakery treats, sandwiches, and coffee.

I apologize I did not get the names of the this gentlemen and owner of the roadside attraction.

I will get back there and catch up.

Maybe on a Saturday when the owner of the Harper Landing Coffee shop sets up a potpourri of fabulous edibles. Help yourself! "All You Can Eat" lunch all day. . . .$20.00! Check it out!

Perfect . . . this is was exactly the kind of genuine

"lifestyle" I was looking for this weekend . . . mission: "People, Boats, Lifestyle and the Region."

I Arrived in Port Townsend on Saturday afternoon just in time to see the classic sailing boats on the Bay. That is not fog in the background, it's unfortunately smoke.

I past by the iconic PT Lighthouse and worked my way to the show, which is located on the north end of town at the Port Madison Marina. Port Townsend for those who are not familiar, was a shipbuilding boomtown in the late 1800s. PT is home to grand historic buildings and Victorian style residences.

I parked above the show in the classic Victorian home neighborhood, and immediately was welcomed by the neighborhood domesticated deer population, and suddenly the essence of "time"... had essentially stopped for me.

I was surrounded with beautifully kept Victorian homes, exquisite gardens and quaint walkways down to the town below.

I walked down the hill to "Down Town" and I knew instantly I was in "PT", and home of Artist Types of all genres, i.e., Painters, Musicians, Boat Builders, Sculptures, Novelists and Culinary aficionados, and more.

Example: The Van conversion above is a '62 VW Transporter, completely outfitted in "Maritime" accents- (Mahogany and Teak), and most impressive . . . . the van has been converted to total electric/battery power. Where do I get one?

Below, In contrast, This mobile art piece was a 3D interpretation of a map of "Seattle", as we know it. Besides the "Downtown" skyline (roof), the rendition was complete with the neighboring "burbs" around the city. Incredibly accurate I might add!

Okay...Back to the show. So much to see. Every where you turn there was a moment to be captured. . . . .and soon to be Painted. Wooden Boats galore. Classic Boats on the dock that can be boarded, Workshops and Seminars. The show is very well organized and I compliment the staff and volunteers that make this happen. Here is the link for next year: https://woodenboat.org/

Tall Ships, Square Rigs, Sloops, Pleasurer Boats, Working Boats, Dinghies, they are all there. Incredibly inspiration as a Boat Lover and an Artist. I will be busy capturing these treasures in the next few months, in preparation for next year's show. Stay Tuned!

The Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival is a truly magical event and I hope to see you there next year. Thank you!

"People, Boats, Lifestyle and the Region."