Description

Port Townsend is a quaint Victorian seaport town on the sheltered interior of the Puget Sound which wraps around Washington state’s pristine Olympic Peninsula.  Surrounded by water on 3 sides and snow-capped mountains on the fourth, there are stunning views around every corner.  Period architecture and homes (early 19th C) dot this walkable town covered with public trails.  From our home you can take a healthy walk to the beach or boutique stores downtown on the waterfront.  Captivating Fort Worden offers old army bunkers to explore and a fantastic menu of cultural fare from first-class authors, poets, dancers, and musicians at their week-long artist workshops with public performances throughout most of the summer. The town of about 10,000 is very community-oriented and there are fun events throughout the year from our Rhody Parade in the spring with its bed races, to fireworks from a barge on 4th of July and the internationally-acclaimed Wooden Boat Festival in the fall.  Local specialties include fresh salmon, clams, oysters, and an abundance of organic local produce.  Our cozy parish, St. Herman of Alaska, OCA, and the wonderful congregation will welcome you with open arms and take very good care of you!

Amenities

Heat/ Hot running water; Internet connection; Access to public transit; Use of bicycle(s); Telephone; Family friendly; Camping equipment;

Special Requirements

Kids are welcome. No pets.

Region Type

Rural; Small Town;

Region Description

The Olympic Peninsula in WA state is an unspoiled nature wonderland with forestland to explore, quiet beaches to walk, fish & shellfish to gather, and ample opportunities for walking, boating, biking, and hiking.  People are generally friendly and helpful all around town.  While most of the peninsula is covered with miles of wilderness, Port Townsend is a little cutural haven boasting many quaint shops and stellar restaurants.  Without the “big-box” stores one expects almost everywhere now, it still has its own unique character.

Local Places to Go

5 hrs: St. John the Forerunner Monastery in Goldendale (Gerondissa Efpraxia; one of Elder Ephraim’s monasteries) They have a nice guest house where families can stay together.

3 hrs. Christ the Saviour Monastery on Vashon Island (Abbot Tryphon; ROCOR Diocese).  A great place to pitch a tent and get some spiritual rejuvination.  The monks here are American converts.

2.5 hrs: Seattle.  Highly recommended: ferry boat ride, Space Needle, Pike Place Market, Savour Seattle tours, Pacific Science Center, the Arboretum.

2.5 hrs: Victoria, B.C. You can walk on the boat in Port Angeles (1.25 hrs) and walk off in Victoria, easily getting around the town from there.

1 hr or less: Port Angeles, Sequim, Quilcene, Marrowstone Island, Whidbey Island, Olympic National Forest Trails and destinations aplenty.

Here in town: kayaking, exploring shops around town, summer Farmer’s Market for fresh produce & crafts, whale-watching tours, great eats.

Who We Are

Subdeacon Christopher and choir director Macrina Lewis, children Emilia and Basil.  We live 5 minutes from our wonderful parish and spend our days homeschooling and enjoying family and parish life.  Christopher is a writer and Macrina sometimes paints icons and teaches Lit. classes.

Languages Spoken

English, trying to learn Greek.

Interests, Hobbies

Reading and writing, music, icon-painting, homeschooling, some gardening in the summer.

Lifestyle, lifestyle

We live a pretty active liturgical life which sets the tone for everything else.  Our home is full of great books; mostly literature and Orthodoxy.  We have a number of musical instruments and a couple of small TVs for watching videos.  No TV hookup.  DSL and Macs all the way.  Lots of friendly parish-folk about who like to drop in sometimes.