Gig Harbor Christmas

We interrupt the blogging on our recent trip to [warm] Saint Martin for a few timely local holiday sights.  We head into Gig Harbor, Washington (near Tacoma) for dinner on the harbor and, after dinner, walk down Harborview Drive along the water, observing the holiday decorations on the way.  Our first stop is Skansie Brothers Park, named after four Croatian Skansie brothers, all of whom were fisherman in Gig Harbor at the beginning of the 20th century and also created the Skansie Boat Building Company at the location of the park in 1908.  We start at the tree, alongside the memorial to local fishermen lost at sea (inscribed:  "In memory of the fishermen of Gig Harbor who have gone to sea at great risk with passion and hard work, this statue is a tribute to an industry upon whose labor our community was founded").

Holiday tree

Tribute to those lost at sea

We walk over to the edge of the harbor, observing the boats decorated for the holiday.

Decorated boats

Returning to the  tree we visit a shed filled with Santa's sled and and reindeer, open for all to climb on and enjoy.

Holiday display

Down the street, a tree of lights is located near Austin Park, dedicated to the Puyallup Tribe of Indians who established a village in the the bay and lived in three connected communities centuries before Croatian fishermen discovered the harbor in 1841.  The park and tree are alongside many of the commercial fishing vessels moored in the harbor.

Light tree view from Austin Park

Nearby baby Christmas Market (with Santa)

Along Harborview Drive, the houses and businesses are also decorated for the holiday.

Along Harborview Drive

Lights on Rosedale, intersecting Harborview

Leaving Gig Harbor and returning home, we find our neighbors have also gotten into the holiday decorating spirit.

Neighborhood sights

We're home for the holidays and enjoying the sights.