This visit, the rules about masks were more relaxed and very few people now wore masks outdoors.
The ferry glided in and out of port silently, occasionally blowing its low pitched horn. It's a sound I love to hear.
Along one of the trails along the bluff we had a good view of the campground and beyond.
We explored Battery Trevor. The reader board informed us that the battery is outfitted with two 3-inch guns, and the projectiles for these guns were light enough to be carried and loaded by hand. A well-trained gun crew could fire up to 30 rounds per minute. That's every two seconds! 
Further along was yet another battery with a large retractable gun poised and ready for defense.
On the trail leading to the Conference Center grounds we watched three more eagles circling. It was a magnificent sight, the birds soaring and circling gracefully and effortlessly.
It was a good break. We walked a lot along the trails and through the Conference Center grounds. The views were spectacular as always.
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| there we are |
These shorter range guns were intended to defend against smaller, faster ships that might have been able to out-maneuver the larger-caliber defenses of Fort Casey's primary batteries and slip into Admiralty Inlet. The guns here today were relocated in 1963 from Fort Winn in the Philippines.
Further along, we learned about the observation station structures. From here, soldiers could clearly see enemy warships far out in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Each observer had a powerful telescope for surveillance and tracking.
Stairs led us to the beach below.
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| a clear unobstructed view across the Strait |
We enjoyed our own unobstructed views from atop the grassy expanses on the bluff. Port Townsend is visible across the inlet.
I did wonder how often this expanse of lawn needs to be maintained. The batteries are visible on the left and the pretty lighthouse on the right.
As we approached the lighthouse, we noticed a couple of eagles circling above us, one of which landed on a tree and sat there watching us.
Here is a link to more information about Admiralty Lighthouse:
One returned to this tree where there is a nest.
This day's sky displayed dramatic cloud patterns in the silvery light. 
More pretty cloud patterns and steep bluffs:
Thursday morning we packed up after breakfast and prepared to drive home.
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| Alpine with Jeep hooked up, the ferry at the dock doing its silent runs back and forth across Admiralty Inlet |
Our route takes us through the quaint town of Coupeville with its pretty Victorian homes.
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| our new updated GPS with larger screen |