NW Cup Downhill

Early April our sleepy town is invaded by radical adrenalin junkies to enjoy our kinetic attractions. The Northwest Cup downhill is a series of mountain bike downhill competitions.

Port Angeles hosts a number of races in the season. Some 500 racers from all over the world roll into town and tear up the hills (in a good way) It's amazing where bicycle technology has taken riders, for about $5000 you too can enjoy screaming down the trail and sucking up roots like a pro.

It is an international competition with a wide spectrum of classes, women, kids, old guys like me. When I was there today it looked like everyone was having a good time, I hope they feel welcome, because we sure could use some more events and smiles like these folks bring.

Ballet

Our little town is not immune to culture. The Nutcracker ballet this year was fantastic.

Winter at the ridge

Our local ski authority has won the battle to keep hurricane ridge open all year. We had our weekends, but in the past it was always closed during the weekday. Now at least folks can hike some runs and pretend like we are at a resort in Aspen, or Whistler without the lifts and crowds. As fun as it is in the larger crowded places I kinda like our backyard. I took a photo yesterday of the mountainside with one twisty snowboard track decorating the snow. I thought of an advertisement that would say something like "you could be this guy" with a big arrow pointing to the run. It's nice to still have a place to go where it's easy to be "that guy".

Cmon up and play.

Car Shows

The Ruddell car show is again the show of the year around here.

Parade

The 4th of July has become a bigger deal in recent years, our 4th of July Parade is becoming an event drawing in folks from as far away as Victoria BC...

I love the pipes, so we sponsored the BC pipes and drums this year in the Parade.

Browns at Halloween (and any other time)

For generations Brown's has been downtown, and is my go to stop for outdoor gear. Carrying the most quality backpacking/backcountry gear on the North peninsula, Larry and his family have kept my family equipped and cozy on our treks into the mountains, out to the coast, or into the islands. Brown's not only has equipment that will last a lifetime, but they back it up with a local knowledge not found online, or at REI. For years now whenever I get ready to go trekking I look for an excuse to drop by Browns first for a chat to see if my plans meet their approval. They have probably saved my life more than once by suggesting lower elevations at certain times of the year, or given me better options for places to go due to tides or snow or rain. If you are hiking in the Olympic Peninsula and want to explore the national park you can go to the visitors center for information. You will then be assaulted with rules, fees, permits and lectures on bear canisters, permits, more fees, and lectures about not walking on vegetation. If you go to Brown's you can get information about where to go in the National Park, as well as forest service land, DNR land, local campgrounds, and other obscure locations. A trip to Brown's will help you enjoy the wild areas of this beautiful Olympic Peninsula, and they have the equipment to make it an enjoyable, responsible, safe experience.

Brown's Outdoor

112 W Front St
Port Angeles, WA 98362-2607
(360) 457-4150

Halloween Downtown

The downtown Halloween celebration is becoming a major event in Port Angeles, it's too bad the city doesn't realize how popular it is. They even had the restrooms locked.