In November, 2006, after four months on the road, I volunteered at Fort Flagler State Park on Admiralty Inlet. The Inlet connects the Strait of Juan de Fuca with the Puget Sound. Before taking this assignment, I had been assured that November was very mild with no snow. Ha!
I must say that it started out very pleasant, and you couldn’t beat this view out my front window. That’s the North Cascades Mountains in the far distance. Being on a hill on a peninsula, I listened to the marine forecast for the Strait of Juan de Fuca every night.
Quite a few storms blew through that November, but most ended with a nice rainbow. |  |
Just after Thanksgiving, one heck of an ice and snow storm hit. There were three foot drifts of snow, and a three inch layer of ice underneath! I was literally stuck there for five days, and unable to leave. I guess they just don’t have the equipment to handle such a storm. I also vividly remember the electric being out for many many hours, and my generator wouldn’t work. :(
I was surprised to see kite snow boarders out and about the next day! They must have had chains on their tires in order to get out to the park. I guess I also learned another thing. Get out of Washington and Oregon around the beginning of October if you’re heading South for the winter. I intend to follow that advice this year. :) I know Rick doesn’t head South until after Christmas, but I’m not taking any more chances.Thanks for stopping by….talk to you later, Judy
fort flager what a great winter camping spot!!!
ReplyDeleteWe are always in Tumwater, WA from mid-November until the 27th of December to be by the family for the holidays. Our first year...we had unusually heavy snow 2 to 3 feet that lasted for 2 weeks. Last winter (our second as FT) we didn't have much snow at all but the temps got down to 6 degrees and 8 degrees for lows for about 2 weeks. Highs were only about 20 degrees. Not fun. Can't wait to see what we get this winter. :)
ReplyDeleteThose are my sentiments "get out before the end of October" or else you might hit bad roads. Come back after the winter if you have the time.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the mention, Judy. A[art from the weather, Ft. Flagler looked like a pretty nice place.
ReplyDeleteDuring the last 3 years, on our previous trips through Washington St. in late December or early January, all we have ever encountered is heavy rain, but no snow.
I'm glad the snow there is seems to stay over on the US side of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and doesn't drift over to Victoria.
When we visited Fort Flagler in February, 2010, we met some enthusiastic volunteer hosts who were working in the store/museum. Maybe they were just glad to have customers! The park recently redid their campground with 50 amp power and full hookups, but it's closed November-February. We look forward to camping there next spring!
ReplyDeleteGood advice but us Canucks have to deal with leaving later so we do a lot of praying for good roads for that southbound window.
ReplyDeleteHow did you stay warm and have enough juice to run the heater? Burrr.
ReplyDeleteMikeD
We got into snow and ice in Waco TX so don't be too sure that is the place to head either!!
ReplyDeleteThe first few pictures look great, the last less so. Snow is something we work very hard to avoid.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a place we would like to visit in June/July.