Scenes From Old Port Townsend

Tai Chi Chuan instructor Michael Gilman

My training partner Corey, my wife and I went to visit our Tai Chi Chuan instructor Michael Gilman In Port Townsend Wa. Saturday, this time for a seminar on applications. Michael is very detailed and focused on concepts in techniques of the first set in the Yang long form. Turnout was good, the weather was absolutely beautiful Saturday, turning to low grey clouds on Sunday.

Above is a picture of what is now called "The Water Street Hotel" with "The Water Street Brew Pub" on the ground floor.
When I lived there in the 1980's, the Tavern was simply called "The Town Tavern". The great fight scene in the Richard Geere-Deborah Winger movie "An Officer and a Gentleman" was filmed inside and on the street in front.
Those were the good old days, the town was full of old Hippies and Sailors from all over the world. The Hotel above had a huge open center with a stairway wrapping around it. There was a swing that was hung from the roof two floors above, and traveled about thirty feet. The residents of the Hotel just had to work a few shifts in the Tavern or restaurant below to pay for their rent. One night, a guy spaced out and knocked a glass Opium pipe into a wastebasket, catching the damned place on fire. It sat empty for quite a while, but has been restored nicely and this is where My wife and I stay when we visit.

Here's a picture of the old ferry dock right in front of The Town Tavern (I still use the old name). When they were building the new, modern ferry terminal they had to go back to using this one for a while. I remember standing on the front stoop of the Tavern, drinking Beer and watching cars line up right in front of us to board the ferry. The people in cars looked really thirsty on hot summer days.

These next few pics are of the really cool advertisements that were painted on the buildings around town, beautifully restored and harkening back to a bygone era...


Port Townsend was where U.S. Customs cleared all boats and ships coming into U.S. waters back in the sailing ship era, and to this day remains the premier boating town on the west coast. Below is a picture of Point Hudson, the smaller of two marinas:

And below is a shot of the sweet new guitar I picked up in town. It's a Seagull Parlor Grand with onboard electronics, wild cherry sides and back, maple neck and cedar top. Seagull guitars are handmade in Quebec Canada and are top quality. This little guitar has a big sound both unplugged or with an amp, I got a great deal on it as it was used.

All-in-all, a great weekend! Lots of good Port Townsend IPA Beer, a great Mexican dinner, we saw two bands in two bars, and I brought back a gallon of the IPA to share with the guys after practice tonight!