2015 Chrome Glidden Tour Sponsored by Sequim Valley Car Club Chapter of Veteran Motor Car Club of America

Notes from the Registrar

While most of the 2015 Chrome Glidden tour and meal schedules are self explanatory, some additional information provided here will help insure you have the best experience possible during your visit to the . Whether you plan to flash in for just the scheduled activities, or you plan to add days to your exploration of this unique part of the country, some forethought, planning and pre-trip actions will help you achieve that best experience.

First, a bit about our September weather. You can expect daytime temperatures to typically be in the 60's and night temperatures in the 50's. Obviously, our extremes can easily get up to the 70's in the day and down to the 40's at night. For any side trips that include ferries or boat rides, expect the wind to require wind breakers and an extra layer of warmth. This may also apply to the tours planned since many of them include extended stops along the salt water coasts. Additionally, you may chose an independent tour with an altitude above 5,000 feet where you can find some unpredictably cool temperatures. Finally, our rainfall here is concentrated in the winter months but still is typically quite light in September outside the rainforest areas on the far west coast. Heavy raingear is quite unlikely to be worth packing - just a rain jacket and hat will be more than adequate.

Next, some information and guidance on park passes and fees. Neither the National Parks nor the State Parks in are "free." For National Parks, you must either have a lifetime pass (available to those of us 62 years old or older), a day pass (currently $15 but being reviewed) or an annual pass. None of our scheduled Chrome Glidden tours include entry into any National Parks. However, you may choose one or more independent visits that would require such a pass. Therefore, if you have a lifetime or annual pass, please bring it with you. Otherwise, you can purchase these passes (lifetime, annual, day only) at the park entry stations or at home before you depart. Unlike many states, Washington assesses fees for entry to all state parks. The basic fees are $10 per calendar day, or an annual pass for $30. We have two Chrome Glidden tour days planned at State Park facilities and have included those fees in your registration fees. If you plan additional visits to Washington State Parks anytime in the 12 month period, we can arrange to take an additional $10 from you, add it to the $20 we have already budgeted, and get you the annual Discovery Pass. If this opportunity applies to your circumstances, please contact Bill Brigden, Registrar directly. Contact information is on your registration form and other Chrome Glidden tour information. Also, at a number of other State Park sites and museums, additional fees apply. Sometimes those seem to be voluntary with on-your-honor envelopes and drop boxes, but the cost and embarrassment of being approached by a ranger when your honor is on vacation can be pretty uncomfortable and financially regrettable. Local traffic - rules and norms As a fairly recent immigrant to the Sequim area, let me make some road and traffic observations that may improve your visit to the area. While traffic to our east is typical of the big city with frequent congestion, multi-lane hiways and many drivers expressing their urgent need to rapidly achieve their destination with speeds way over the limit, it is different here. Many of our roads are one lane in each direction and congestion can mean waiting more than a few cars for your turn at an intersection. Also, a majority of the drivers in this area actually obey the posted speed limits. The others are often introduced to one of the surprisingly heavy population of city, county and state officers of the law. I do not advise taking liberties with the posted speed limits. Now that you are following the letter of the law, there is another local issue to highlight. That is, in an environment of limited passing lanes, all slower traffic (both trucks and cars) must yield the right of way to vehicles stacked up behind them. In general, if you have a mile of more of open road ahead of you and 5 or more vehicles directly behind you, you are required to pull over and allow them to hurry up and go seek their speeding ticket.

The Olympic Peninsula - geography Start by looking at a map. Most people living outside the Northwest will be surprised to learn how far Seattle is from the extreme west coast. The Olympic Peninsula provides that geographical separation with the Straits of Juan de Fuca and the Puget Sound to the north and east, and the Olympic mountain range in its center. Within the boundaries of the peninsula are glaciers, a , arid plains, ocean shores, National and State Parks, and National and State Forests. Included in your search will be the discovery that Sequim is on the north shore of the peninsula and right in the center of it all.

The views from Sequim We can look across the international border to Canada on any but the most overcast days. We have the towering over us to the south, and, from even small hilltops we can see the Cascade Mountains 50 miles or so to the east. From my driveway, I can see the night lights of Victoria on Vancouver Island, BC. There are miles and miles of seacoast, some with easily walked beaches, some with very rugged and steep cliffs. We are quite rural in this area with lots of opportunities to simply motor around and enjoy the sights.

Finally, I would like to point out some of the local and regional points of interest ("POI"). Since our Northwest corner of the U.S. is generally not "on the way" between places you typically travel, I urge you to consider an extension to your trip so that you can visit any POI that catches your interest. Additionally, you may wish to do some research and pre-determine your planned activities on the unstructured Wednesday of the Chrome Glidden tour. I have summarized a few of the highlights of the area and region below. You will also find internet links listed below to start your research.

Important: if you plan to take a side trip into Canada, you must bring your passport. Local and regional POI's

1. 7 Cedars Casino - Just a few miles to the east of Sequim city limits is a casino with entertainment and restaurants. Both card tables and slots are available for those ready to gamble. The local Jamestown S'Klallam tribe serves as your host.

2. Olympic Game Farm - very close by in Sequim, an outdoor zoo with a surprising variety of specimens.

3. Dungeness Spit and Lighthouse - ever seen a 5 mile long sand spit? It is possible for the more adventuresome to hike the entire length (both ways since motorized vehicles are prohibited). It is quite a sight even from the shore directly north of Sequim.

4. Dungeness Wildlife Reserve - great trails on the shore bluff above the base of the Dungeness Spit. Beautiful views, bird sanctuary and local flora for those looking for a unique bit of nature close to Sequim.

5. Lavender - the lavender farms around Sequim claim this area as the "lavender capital" of the USA. The several farms here will be well past their summer blooms but their shops can supply beautifully scented mementos and gifts. See Sequim Chamber of Commerce website below.

6. Whale watching - with the Straits of Juan de Fuca and the Salish Sea just north of Port Angeles we are close in to multiple pods of whales. Boat tours of about 5 hours duration leave daily from Port Angeles and Port Townsend (about 20 miles west or east.) Most tour companies "guarantee" a whale sighting, or offer a pass on a future tour so you can try, try again. Such failures are rare.

7. - Hoh Rainforest- on the west coast and western most area of the ONP, a real live temperate (not tropical) rainforest! Annual rainfall averages 12' (that's 144 inches) of rain per year. Could be combined with a visit to Forks (literary home of the "Twilight" series) and/or Cape Flattery. A long day trip or overnight.

8. Olympic National Park - Hurricane Ridge - a winding 17 mile paved road out of Port Angeles will take you to the ridge in the Olympic National Park. Hike on excellent trails with extraordinary views just feet away from ample parking.

9. Cape Flattery - the northwesterly most point of land in the lower 48 states. Managed by the Makah Tribe just 15 miles west of Neah Bay (one of our tour destinations). A beautiful, moderately challenging short hike among the trees takes you to the "ends of the earth." Additional fees apply.

10. Port Angeles - one of the few still active sea ports on the peninsula and a stop for small cruise ships, PA can provide the variety of activities and character of a small city on the coast. Website supplied below. 11. City of Victoria, Vancouver Island - up for an international trip? A ferry ride from Port Angeles can take you to Canada for a sample of north-of-the-border culture and cuisine. High Tea served in the city or Butchart Gardens are two of the top attractions. Website supplied below. Passports required.

12. City of Forks - fictional setting for the "Twilight" series and heavily influenced by the logging industry, Forks may be worth a visit to satisfy either or both interests. Website supplied below.

13. America's Car Museum - Tacoma - you may have driven right past the museum next to the Tacoma Dome on your way into Sequim. A combination of Tacoma city and LeMay family resources have created a museum dedicated to cars. The Lemay Family has maintained a separate museum as well. Either or both museums represent a day trip or an overnight. Both websites supplied below. Entry fees.

14. Mount Rainier National Park - visible from many places around the Puget Sound this 14,000' snow capped peak can be explored with a visit to Paradise visitor center. Long day trip. Website below.

15. Mount Saint Helens National Park - a bit further south than Mt. Rainer, the 1980 eruption had a dramatic impact on the surrounding geography and ecosystem. Website below. Entry fees.

16. City of Seattle - while visiting the area, consider a side trip to Seattle with its very long list of potential "must-do's" and "must-see's." For what may be a unique experience, there are a number of ferry routes that connect our side of the Sound with the city.

Internet Links

The following internet links are provided for your further research into the and the Olympic Peninsula. My list is neither intended as an endorsement of any company or location, nor is it comprehensive. If you have interests not covered here, feel free to contact me for leads on additional activities that are available.

Olympic Peninsula Visitor Bureau http://www.olympicpeninsula.org/ City of Sequim - Chamber of Commerce http://www.sequimchamber.com/ City of Port Angeles - Chamber of Commerce http://www.portangeles.org/ City of Forks - Chamber of Commerce http://forkswa.com/ Cape Flattery http://northolympic.com/files/capeflatterytrail/index.html Olympic National Park - Hurricane Ridge http://www.nps.gov/olym/index.htm Olympic National Park - Hoh Rainforest http://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/visiting-the-hoh.htm Dungeness Spit & Lighthouse http://www.olympicpeninsula.org/things-to-do/dungeness-spit-and-lighthouse Dungeness Wildlife Refuge http://dungeness.com/refuge/ City of Victoria, Vancouver, British Columbia http://www.hellobc.com/victoria.aspx Butchart Gardens, Vancouver, British Columbia http://www.butchartgardens.com/visit LeMay Family Museum http://www.lemaymarymount.org/ America's Car Museum http://www.lemaymuseum.org/ Port Angeles Whale Watch Company http://pawhalewatch.com/index.php Naval Undersea Museum http://www.navalunderseamuseum.org/index.html Olympic Game Farm http://olygamefarm.com/ Washington Ferry System http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/ 7 Cedars Casino http://www.7cedarsresort.com/casino.html Mount Saint Helens Volcano Park and Overlook http://mountsthelens.com/mount_st_helens_national_park.html Mount Rainier National Park http://www.nps.gov/mora/index.htm