Port to Port
Ludlow is Connected to Townsend By Patrick J. Sullivan Port Ludlow’s connection to Port Townsend is historic and modern, all at the same time. The timber trade tied the towns together starting in the late 1800s, with wooden boats the trade link. Today, the 38th Wooden Boat Festival is another landmark for Port Townsend, and Port Ludlow is involved. Trade is still at the heart of it, with Ludlow residents and Resort at Port Ludlow guests having a year-round connection to the city of Port Townsend Bay. For the second consecutive year, the Resort at Port Ludlow is sponsoring the Balcony Wine Bar at the Northwest Maritime Center. It may be the best vantage point at all to watch boats come and go, especially during the Sunday afternoon Sail By. “It is absolutely one of the most spectacular places to view what is going on,” noted Debbie Wardrop, general manager, Resort at Port Ludlow. Even better, the resort (owned by Port Ludlow Associates) has a year-round sponsorship with the Northwest Maritime Center. It includes money for big things (program) and little things (the Adirondack chairs at the Commons). “We are trying to do things that support the tradition of wooden boatbuilding, and to help people learn about the opportunities available with the Northwest Maritime Center and our local
The Resort at Port Ludlow includes a 300-slip marina, with transient moorage plus room for boaters to anchor-off and come to shore. During the Wooden Boat Festival weekend, a free shuttle bus transports people between Ludlow and Port Townsend. 2013 Leader photo by Patrick J.Sullivan, flight by Collin Klopfenstein
marine trades and boating community,” said Wardrop. The Resort at Port Ludlow includes a 37-room inn (with Fireside restaurant), and a 300slip marina on Port Ludlow Bay that is overlooked by an 18-hole championship quality golf course. There is a Village Center business district, and housing opportunities. Kayak rentals (singles and doubles) have been a mainstay at the marina; new this year are paddleboards.
The boating community may be as familiar with Port Ludlow as with Port Townsend. Almost any weekend of boating season, a yacht club visits Ludlow. Guests this year have included Poulsbo, Port Madison, South Whidbey, Corinthian of Edmonds, Everett, Tacoma, Mukilteo, and the Signature Yacht Small Fleet Rendezvous. “We have a rendezvous every weekend from the opening of boating season through Wooden Boat Festival,” Wardrop said.
FESTIVAL SHUTTLE In terms of the Wooden Boat Festival, which is one of the top three visitor draws all year on the Olympic Peninsula, accommodation reservations need to be made well in advance. “We always sell out. It’s a very popular weekend and we encour-
age people to make reservations in advance,” Wardrop said. By popular demand, this year the resort is sponsoring a free shuttle bringing people from Ludlow to PT, and hopefully, PT residents to Ludlow. It’s for resort guests, and open to people who – Continued on Page 17
Port Ludlow- Port Townsend Shuttle Bus Schedule The 24-passenger step-on van ride is free, and will stop at the Park & Ride. Port Ludlow pickup points: The marina & resort Port Townsend stop: Monroe Street, near Wooden Boat Festival Main Gate Friday, Sept. 5 Depart Resort at Port Ludlow on the Even Hour: Noon, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm, 8pm, 10pm Depart Downtown Port Townsend on the Odd Hour: 1pm, 3pm, 5pm, 7pm, 9pm, 11pm Saturday, Sept. 6 Depart Resort at Port Ludlow on the Even Hour: 8am, 10am, Noon, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm, 8pm, 10pm Depart Downtown Port Townsend on the Odd Hour: 9am, 11am, 1pm, 3pm, 5pm, 7pm, 9pm, 11pm Sunday, Sept. 7 Depart Resort at Port Ludlow on the Even Hour: 8am, 10am, Noon, 2pm, 4 pm. Depart Downtown Port Townsend on the Odd Hour: 9am, 11am, 1pm, 3pm, 5pm
Ludlow Cove is a 42-unit housing project with cottages along and near Port Ludlow Bay. Submitted art 16 • 2014 WOODEN BOAT FESTIVAL
Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader