Monday, October 12, 2015

We're Falling in Love - Maritime Museum

Part of our trip around America is to search out towns we wouldn't mind settling down in - you know when we grow up - after we are too old and feeble to be missionaries. I must admit, we are falling in love with this area of Washington. We really like the little town of Westport.

 
As you may expect, after our day of climbing and walking yesterday, we had a slow start this a.m. Michael simply hurts; but he doesn't want to sit around either. The rest of us don't mind alternating down days with busy days.
 
The Coast Guard has given their old station to the city of Westport and it now houses the Westport Maritime Museum. We wanted to be sure to visit. The hours vary by season - but the admission is once again - free for military;$5 for adults, $3 for 13 - 18, $2 for 6 - 12 and free for 5 and under. Our first stop at the museum was to visit the First Order Fresnel lens which was removed from Destruction Island and is housed here.


 
I was intrigued by Nathaniel Bowditch's log
 
These items washed ashore from Japan were familiar to us
 

The new exhibit is a tribute to a young Coast Guard member who died attempting to save two children. It was quite interesting to walk through the house and see how the men/women had lived at this old Coast Guard Station. It made us remember Uncle Nate.
Stacia takes a turn at the helm
 
Westport used to be whaling port - it is still a hub of commercial fishing
 
Lunch at Bennett's Fish Shack - yummy Veggie Taco


 


 
We leave several possible places to explore for another trip: Aberdeen Museum of History, Cranberry Bogs, Lake Quinault, the Coastal Interpretive Center in Ocean Shores, fishing charter and the Northwest Carriage Museum in Raymond - to name a few.