GORST—You may know of this place as ‘that hairpin turn with the terrible traffic’ where State Highway 16 meets Highway 3. Or maybe because the city name is painted souvenir-postcard-style on a business wall on the way out of town. Gorst is an unincorporated area, but the greater community in this area DOES have things to see and do and IS worth visiting… Here’s a list of stuff to see:
Elandan Gift Shop and Gardens, occupying a large stretch of shoreline on the southern Sinclair inlet tip, is a hidden gem. In the parking lot, you’ll see big sculptural landscaping stones and timbers, including a totem pole. Walk past, imaging how they would make your yard look like an oasis, and enter the gift shop. You’ll find a kaleidoscope of housewares, jewelry, and clothing in an exotic labyrinth of connected rooms. Enjoy exploring the eclectic mix of Neat Stuff and soaking in the ambiance of hippie souk. Continue to the garden, which has a small entrance fee. It is worth it; this is a world-class living bonsai museum. Bonsai, a centuries-old Asian horticultural art, means “tree in a pot”, a prosaic but accurate description for taking trees that could grow to 100 feet and carefully cultivating them into beautiful living sculptures of less than 4 feet. The gardens and most of the bonsais are the labors of the owner Dan Robinson, who is a world-famous expert. In the garden, you will walk paths lined with bonsais, all carefully annotated with plant type, provenance, and date of origin. Some of these plants are hundreds of years old, and all of them are visually interesting. Bring a picnic and enjoy the surroundings, which includes a shoreside view of the inlet and Bremerton’s Navy Yard.
Bug and Reptile Museum, a free activity near the Navy yard not quite Gorst proper, is faithfully guarded by a chained statue of Boris the Spider. Geared towards children but sophisticated enough for adults, the museum has terrariums of snakes, turtles, and frogs at kids’ eye level. Their bugs are mostly preserved specimens, but they do have a wall covered in connected ant farms (remember those ads from comic books?) The museum is a great resource for field trips and home schoolers; there are educational displays and materials available everywhere. Plus a nice range of reptile and insect toys and souvenirs.
Deep Draft Brewing & Wig Wam Pub, with a real Texas-style BBQ smoker, lives one block off Hwy 3. The Wig Wam has been a local drinking hole for decades and still retains its old school ambiance, with lots of newspaper clippings, pictures and signs collected on the walls. It has been rescued from a longish closure by Navy buddies who saw that there was room for a craft brewery behind the pub. They planned a second career doing what they loved (making and drinking beer) after retirement. But sadly, one partner died days before his retirement date. The plan went forward, and many years, tears and hardwork later, Deep Draft Brewing, with a light and welcoming tasting room, is in operation. The comfortable and artistic patio includes a stage for live music and ironworks from a nearby artistic welder. Snuggled against the hillside, it’s private and cozy and the smell of the nearby smoker drifts in enticingly. These people take their bar-b-que seriously; the pit master is trained in the holy land of Texas and has learned the lessons well. Get some brisket and enjoy it on the patio on a sunny day. The brewery welcomes everyone and their dog. The pub is 21+. The little wigwam off the back edge of the parking lot fits kids only.
Brothers Greenhouse, further up Hwy 3, sells whimsical botanical-related gifts and crafts as well as the large variety of plants you’d expect from that many nursery buildings. There are usually flowers blooming to enjoy, and if you’ve been meaning to set up a fairy garden, this is a one-stop shop. In the main building, see terminally cute examples of mini-gardens, including one incorporating a train set. Brothers’ hobbit house is famous tourist destination; get some postcards of it as a souvenir after you’ve entered through the architecturally accurate round door with a handle in the center. There’s a charming hearth set into a tubular building where most adults can’t stand up straight. Less well-known are two beautifully carved tree stump statues of a T. Rex and Little Red Riding Hood and her wolf off the back parking lot, at the start of a walking path that’s under development. Keep it in mind for recurring visits. This place is a labor of love and filled with knowledgeable gardeners.
Some places are hidden, even by Gorst standards. Golfers take note: the Gold Mountain Golf Course, for a great game at a good price, is in the hills behind Gorst, off Belfair Valley road. There’s also a wildlife observation post next to Elandan Gardens. No trails, just a sweeping view of the tip of the inlet, which is muddy at low tide and features a lot of water birds. There is a small stone marker given by a tribe, marking the trail. There’s also a historic marker for Gertrude & John Thompson across from the Wigwam, just off the freeway. A small community’s recognition to people who were major contributors for years. It’s heartwarming to know that local Good Folk are recognized. AND… If you’re lucky, when driving on 3 into Bremerton (eyes on the road!), you’ll have a line of site view up the inlet to Mount Rainier. It’s rare but it’s lovely to see it over the water and framed by Bremerton and Port Orchard. So reserve a nice day and spend it doing Gorst. As they say at the Wig Wam… ‘May the Gorst Be With You.’ // LORI BIER
