Poulsbo, Port Ludlow and Hood Canal – a Trip in Glacier Blue

Posted on January 17, 2021 by

30 Comments

After returning from our getaway last week I noticed how many of my pictures were blue, blue, blue! So I thought they’d do nicely for this week’s Sunday Stills Photo Challenge, Glacier Blue.

Our destination was Port Ludlow on Puget Sound which would be our base for exploring the area. We started our trip by ferry from Edmonds to Kingston and were greeted by the Olympic Mountains.

We stopped by Poulsbo for lunch, a charming town with a Scandinavian vibe, founded by a Norwegian immigrant in the 1880’s.

After eating our takeout pizza in the car, we split up for an hour of shopping and I found some lovely things to buy to support the local economy – I do what I can.

Next we crossed the Hood Canal Bridge and headed to Port Ludlow where we stayed the next two nights. Our hotel was near the marina on Ludlow Bay and we had wonderful views of the Olympics when the clouds parted in the morning.

Yes, those were the Olympics. So I was surprised to see Mt. Baker on my morning beach walk, looking quite lovely in the morning light. At 10,778 feet, Mt. Baker is the tallest mountain in the North Cascades and third tallest in the state. With 10 glaciers it is second only to Mount Rainier which has 26, the most glaciers of any mountain in the lower 48. In fact, only Alaska has more glaciers than Washington State.

Port Ludlow was a lovely place to stay and had fabulous sunsets. But there wasn’t much to do – for that we drove to nearby Hood Canal. Our first stop was at Point Whitney where Bob fished and I wandered the oyster littered beach – the State has a shellfish lab there. But I found the best views looking up – can you believe those clouds??

We stopped by another spot on the Canal before returning to Port Ludlow for the night and saw more mountains. Surely the Olympics right?

Wrong! These are the North Cascades and even I – a born and raised Washingtonian – wasn’t sure. Too many mountains and too many coves, bays, and inlets in all directions!

I have more adventures from Hood Canal to share with you but this will do for now.

~ Susanne

Category: Nature, TravelTags: , , , , , , , , ,

30 Comments on “Poulsbo, Port Ludlow and Hood Canal – a Trip in Glacier Blue”

  1. Love those lines of clouds and the ones over Mt. Rainier too. Glad you had a nice visit up in my old neck of the woods.

    • Thanks! The clouds were marvelous and dramatic. I thought it was Mt. Rainier at first too but it’s actually Mt. Baker. So hard to tell which direction you’re looking at any given time. The whole area is wonderful – I never get tired of visiting the Peninsula.

  3. Truly amazing photography, Susanne! I loved your gorgeous images as well as the facts about Washington glaciers. I can’t wait to check it out some day!

    • Thanks so much for your lovely comment, Terri! I hope you enjoy exploring Washington! The east and west sides of the state are so different in many ways, providing so much variety!

  7. Wow so many beautiful photos. You live in such a beautiful place 🙂 thanks for sharing and have a good day 😀 Aiva

  10. Some truly spectacular photos…I can imagine the air was crisp, perhaps with a hint of salt water as well!

  11. Back in my Washington days, oh yes – Poulsbo! If for no other reason than the legendary bakery! (Is it still there?) And if you are lucky enough, as I was back then, to be able to be out on a boat in the evening in the Port Ludlow harbor, you will see traces of bioluminescent sea life. Not sure why that harbor seems to attract so much of that but it is certainly photo-worthy if you have an opportunity.

    • Ah yes, we stopped by the bakery in Poulsbo! The Port Ludlow harbor was beautiful but we enjoyed it from shore. There was a giant yacht moored out there and I had momentary envy! 😉 We don’t own a boat but maybe you can rent one during the summer. I’ll have to check it out! Thanks for your comment. 🙂

  12. Those are all beautiful. I grew up just east of Seattle and loved looking at the Olympic mountains. Now I live in SW Washington. I’ll have to try going to Port Ludlow.

    • Thanks so much for your comment. Port Ludlow is a quiet and beautiful place to stay, and use as a base to explore the area. 🙂

  14. We went to the Viking Festival in Poulsbo once and it was so much fun. I recall the shops were great!

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