Here’s the bright end of nowhere,

Here’s the result of all our days …

Bright End of Nowhere – Matthew Good Band

Many places vie for the title “The End of Nowhere” … but there’s more than enough nowhere to go around and the title is more than ample to share so no contention is required.

In this instance, however, The End of Nowhere is not too far from where you are now. On the east side of the Olympic Peninsula–which, itself, has some claim to the title–bordered on the east by the Hood Canal–which isn’t a canal–and on the west by Dabob Bay–which should be called a fiord–the narrow Toandos Peninsula stretches south, extending itself from the populated hubbub of Port Hadlock and Chimicum to … yes … The End of Nowhere.

Now here’s how to get to The End of Nowhere. Starting at Port Hadlock, go south through Chimicum on Center Road, continuing about nine miles, through the underpass at 104 and the mural pointing to Quilcene and then just past the Olympic Music Festival, where you’ll take a left on Dabob Road. Continuing south on Dabob Road for about four miles, you’ll come to Dabob PO (Post Office) Road. Now don’t look for the Dabob Post Office because it isn’t there–remember, you’re on your way to The End of Nowhere. Instead, veer left on Dabob PO and go another four-tenths of a mile and you’ll reach Coyle Road where you take a left. (Or continue straight to visit Dabob and Dabob Bay, if you prefer.)

Okay, now that you’ve reached Coyle Road, we can say that you’re officially entering the Toandos Peninsula … or, at least, by the time you reach the top of the hill, another mile or so.

At this point, the peninsula is some five and a half miles wide and you’re at the grand elevation of four to five hundred feet above sea level. You’re also on top of a glacial ridge, a long heap of stones deposited by the same long ago glacier which dredged out not only Dabob Bay (fiord) and the Hood Canal (also a fiord) but the entire Puget Sound.

Continuing south along Coyle–and we hope you realize what a beautiful drive you’re on–for about five miles, the peninsula has narrowed to less than two miles in width and will continue at roughly that dimension for the rest of your journey. At the same time, you’ll remain a safe four or five hundred feet above sea level–no flooding here.

As you proceed, of particular interest are the mountains to the west, across Dabob Bay. At this time of year, visibility permitting, they are especially beautiful in the morning when the sun accents the fresh snowfall and craggy peaks.

Your next point of reference is another nine miles south: at the fourteen mile marker at the intersection with Zelatched Point Road (west) and Hazel Point Road (east). This is a good spot to stop and catch your breath because you are now in the City of Coyle. 

What’s that? You don’t see a city? 

You’re absolutely correct because you are also at The End of Nowhere … and wasn’t it a beautiful drive?

So, we suggest that you catch your breath at this point because there aren’t a lot of places for you to go from here. You can go west on Zelatched … but not very far. 

Or you can go east along Hazel Point and, after about a mile, you’ll find the Laurel B. Johnson Community Center. If the parking lot is full of cars, come on in and say hello because this is an important focus of the community (but more about this another time).

Otherwise, if the parking lot’s empty, there’s not a lot to see here either. Hey, we told you: this is The End of Nowhere.

Note: you can explore further but, be warned, pavement may end abruptly and not all of the roads are suitable for city cars. Also, some are private roads and others will simply get you lost.

But The End of Nowhere is still somewhere and, for a great many people, a Very Important Somewhere … which is why so many of us choose to be here.

Therefore, in the future, we propose to tell you about some of the people who live here, some of the events which make up our community, some of the reasons we’ve chosen to be here and some of the challenges and the rewards of living at The End of Nowhere.

Until then, enjoy your trip north, back to the metropolis of your choice. But drive carefully, there are deer … and bears … and other wildlife living here too.

Footnotes and links: visit www.toandos.org for information on the area.

Also visit: www.geocaching.com, and search using zipcode 98376, to find links to numerous geocaches along the peninsula, including Silence (GCWMQN), Seeking Buddha (GCWMR3) and MM1 (GCX600) or check GeoCaching on the PhotoBlog index

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