PORT HADLOCK — More gift-wrapped presents have appeared under a section of Douglas fir hanging upside-down that passers-by have decorated as a Christmas tree.
On Friday, two packages had been placed under the tree suspended on an inactive utility line outside of the Naval Magazine Indian Island security fence on state Highway 116.
Neither was addressed to a recipient. The boxes were not empty.
The 12-foot top of a tree estimated to have been more than 100 feet tall blew into the utility line during the high winds of a storm Dec. 11, one of three to hit the North Olympic Peninsula that week.
The road represents the only access to Marrowstone Island, an area hit hard by the storm and which was without electrical power for about three days.
Once power was returned, the tree was decorated with garlands, ribbons, ornaments and a wooden sign that says, “Santa, I Want it All!”
No lights have been attached to the tree.
A wrapped gift addressed to the food bank appeared at the beginning of the week but was removed a few days later, according to Marrowstone Island resident Chip Hoines.
The tree has drawn the attention of motorists.
Some drivers stop in front of it, roll down their windows and shoot photographs while others pull over to the side of the road, which has a speed limit of 40 mph, to take a more cautious route.
The unusual holiday tableaux has drawn international attention as well.
After it was reported in the Thursday editions of the Peninsula Daily News, the story was picked up by The Associated Press news service and distributed to newspapers, websites and radio and television stations worldwide.
Although the inactive line poses no electrical danger, Bill Graham, Jefferson County Public Utility District resource manager, said people should approach with caution.
The lines were constructed by Broadstripe, now Wave Cable, for cable service to Marrowstone Island, a project that was never completed, Graham said.
On Friday, Wave spokeswoman Jennifer Jeter said the company plans to remove the tree but so far has no timetable to do so.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
