Driftwood Castles on the beach

The first day of summer in the Puget Sound region of Washington State felt more like early Spring; overcast, some rain and cool.  Then we took a beach walk and the beauty of the day came through.

Over the year the driftwood comes and goes and right now there is a lot of driftwood on the beach and more driftwood structures than I have seen in a long time.

Always Majestic Mount Rainier

Mount Rainier is a popular photo subject - I have hundreds of photos I've taken of the beautiful mountain when it is "out".

Here are a couple more.  I was in Gig Harbor at a friend's dock party and as the day went on the mountain became more and more photogenic.  I briefly left the party and went to the park at the head of the bay and took these, along with lots more, as the view  - not the perfect clear blue sky view, transformed minute by minute.

How can you ever get tired of this beautiful mountain, visible from just about every community on the Kitsap Peninsula and ever changing with the weather, the season and the angle.

Kris Avery

My friend Kris Avery says she isn't very photogenic but needed some photos for her website - http://www.beforeandafterthestork.com/.

We had a fun photo session on my deck and I think we got some great shots.

Kitsap Tours Photo Safaris

Kitsap Tours is up and running; the company and the website!

I hope everyone will stop by and check it out and perhaps join one of our tours.  Specifically I wanted to make Kitsap and Beyond readers to be aware of our Photo Safaris which will be offered monthly this summer and more often if there is demand.

Our tours are definitely "Kitsap and Beyond"; Bainbridge Island, the Kitsap and Olympic Peninsulas.  We'll offer a variety of standard tours including the Bloedel Reserve, Bainbridge Island tour and a full day Bainbridge Island / North Kitsap tour.  We'll also offer custom tours where you can pick and choose from our many stops and we will fit your interests and timeframe, or we can extend beyond the standard tours and make a trip to Port Townsend or Hurricane Ridge or other West Sound destinations.

Garden tours, artist studio tours, history tours, culinary and agriculture tours or mix in a little of everything!

Check us out; KitsapTours.com

Stan Purser Memorial Pow Wow

Some color from the Stan Purser Memorial Pow Wow today.  I helped eat 200 pounds of fresh Dungeness crab that was served with clams, oysters and a buffet of other culinary delights.

It was good seeing friends and visiting the Port Gamble S'Klallam reservation where we always feel so welcome.

 

Another spectacular day and a majestic eagle

I never get tired of eagle pictures.  This one was taken a few days ago.  The eagle was busy preening and I was jumping up and down on the deck and making weird noises to get it's attention.  Finally it looked straight at me and then went back to preening.

The following is from the Seattle Convention and Visitors Bureau and very important for all interested in tourism in Washington State to read and act upon:

Urgent Action Request


State Tourism Office in Jeopardy of Losing Funding

The proposed budget released today by the Washington State Senate slashes the entire state general fund tourism budget. If enacted, this would mean the end of the Washington State Tourism program and serious ramifications for the tourism industry statewide.



We urge you to call or write your state senator immediately to tell them that tourism matters to your business and your community. It is especially important to communicate with members of the Senate Ways and Means Committee. The committee will hear the budget proposal this afternoon. If possible, please reach out immediately and forward this e-mail to others who are invested in our industry’s success.



To find your legislative district and elected officials, visit:

www.leg.wa.gov



Below is the language from the budget documents relating to the state tourism program – feel free to reference it in your communications with legislators:



INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS - $7MILLION GENERAL FUND-STATE SAVINGS

Reductions are made in several programs in the International Trade and Economic Development Division, including Tourism Development ($3.2 million), Associate Development Organization Grants ($1.8 million), Washington Technology Center ($130,000) and Regional Services ($788,000). Additional budget information shows a reduction of 3.0 FTE’s in the tourism program. The cuts are found in section 126 of PSSB 6444.









Tourism Matters to Washington State

Here’s Why:

• Tourism supports some 147,600 jobs and stimulates $4.2 billion in earnings

• Tourists spend money - $14.2 billion in the state

• Tourists contribute nearly $1 billion in local/state tax revenue

• According to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) produced, tourism ranks 4th as an industry, following software, aerospace and agriculture & food

• Tourism supports existing companies

• Tourism stimulates new business development

• Hotel/motel taxes support arts and cultural institutions, sports, transportation projects and much more



Sustained tourism marketing and promotion is vital for all us all. Please take immediate action on this issue!