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Blue ribbon morning

Poulsbo photo by Chandler O'Leary

Judging by the chilly rain that’s suddenly arrived, the rapidly diminishing daylight and the maples that are already starting to turn, summer is officially over. But maybe it’s all those years I spent going to the Minnesota State Fair, because the end of summer has always got me dreaming of still-hot days and fried food on a stick—and I find myself handing out metaphorical blue and red ribbons to the winners of nonexistent competitions.

Poulsbo photo by Chandler O'Leary

Take, for example, yesterday morning, when I had to return some library books to the Kitsap Regional Library. Since I could visit any library in the system to do it, I picked a branch in a town I had never yet visited: Poulsbo (pronounced “Paul’s Boh”).

To kill a few minutes before the library opened, I parked the car next to a waterfront park, and took a stroll along the boardwalk that extended toward the center of town. I have no idea what I was expecting to find at the end of the boardwalk—

Poulsbo photo by Chandler O'Leary

but it certainly wasn’t anything quite this adorable.

Poulsbo photo by Chandler O'Leary

Tucked away on a fjordy arm of the Sound, Poulsbo was settled in the 1880s by Scandinavian immigrants (the ones who didn’t stay in Minnesota to start up the State Fair, that is).

Poulsbo photo by Chandler O'Leary

And it’s been a little piece of Norway ever since. In fact, Norwegian was the primary language here until World War II; and even yesterday, I swear on my own grave that I overheard a conversation in Norwegian. Hey, I didn’t live in both Minnesota and North Dakota for nothing—my friend Bridget would be proud of me for picking out all the “jeg“s and “er“s and “av“s she taught me long ago.

Poulsbo photo by Chandler O'Leary

So Poulsbo gets a blue ribbon for charm and gratuitous outdoor use of Norsk.

Poulsbo photo by Chandler O'Leary

Eventually I remembered what I was there for in the first place—and then, when I laid eyes on the carved pillars and intricate paneling, I had to make sure I had written down the correct address. I think it’s safe to say that Poulsbo has also netted the Most Beautiful Library ribbon—

Poulsbo photo by Chandler O'Leary

aaaand another blue for Cutest-as-a-Button church steeple.

Poulsbo photo by Chandler O'Leary

Before I headed for home, I walked the rest of Front Street—and stopped dead when I saw this sign. I don’t have a drop of Norwegian blood in my veins, but I do know my way around a Norse bakery.

Poulsbo photo by Chandler O'Leary

Lefse wasn’t on the menu that day, but I did find the perfect treat for my State Fair state of mind. Oh, yes. Another blue ribbon.

What can I say? Poulsbo knows the ways to my heart.

Poulsbo photo by Chandler O'Leary


3 thoughts on “Blue ribbon morning

  1. Jenn C

    I remember we were just talking about this! The photo of the pastry tempts me to make a beeline across the bridge- yums. We DO live in a wonderful place.

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