  We show that already a seemingly simple set of Ulam words $\unicode{x2013}$
those with two $1$'s $\unicode{x2013}$ possess an intricate intrinsic
structure. We create a logarithmic-time algorithm to determine whether any
given such word is Ulam, uncovering properties such as biperiodicity and
various parity conditions, as well as sharp bounds on the number of $0$'s
outside the two $1$'s. We also discover and prove that sets of Ulam words
indexed by the number $y$ of $0$'s between the two $1$'s have an inherent dual
hierarchical structure, determined by the arithmetic properties of $y.$ In
particular, this allows us to construct an infinite family of self-similar
fractals $\tilde{U}(y)$ indexed by the set of $2$-adic integers $y,$ containing
for example the outward Sierpinski gasket as $\tilde{U}(-1).$
