Oklahoma - First look

Oklahoma!

The photo above is probably what many think of, when they think of Oklahoma (the whole Sonics issue aside).

I just spent a week in Oklahoma and my opinion has changed. There are lots of wide open spaces. They are beautiful and varied as you cross the state, north to south, or east to west.

There are strong, proud communities.

There is a rich heritage and history that is full of drama, pain, pride and diversity.

Oklahoma is home to the most famous of the Wild West Shows, the great land rushes, 39 Federally recognized tribes (none native to the state), cowboys, cattle, bison, oil barrons and some of the nicest, most welcoming people I've met.


I am going to include more entries on Oklahoma as I go through my pictures (my camera broke day #1 and I was fortunate to have a friend who loaned my her back-up - thanks Lanora).

Above is the entry statue at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. This is an impressive museum where you could spend an entire day and then return again to see what you missed the first time. Roam their webpage, you'll see the wide range of interpretations of the West. The Cowboy Hall of Fame, the west through the eyes of Hollywood, spectacular western art and more.

I was certainly aware of the Oklahoma National Memorial but I didn't realize there is a museum on the site as well. (Oklahoma National Memorial and Museum). You enter the museum and come as close to experiencing that day as anyone would want to. It's an emotional experience and after you exit you can walk the beautiful memorial. A must see when in Oklahoma City.

To be continued . . .

Sailing on Puget Sound

Happy sailors on Port Madison, Bainbridge Island.

Sailing class on Port Madison Bay, Bainbridge Island.

Sailing on Puget Sound with Mount Rainier in the background.

Check out www.BoatingKitsap.com

Oklahoma

I'm going to be in Oklahoma this coming week attending the NATJA (North American Travel Journalist Association) Annual Conference.

That's part of the "Beyond" in Kitsap and Beyond.

Day One, prior to the actual conference I'll attend an onsite photo class at the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge.

Established in 1901, the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge is the second most visited wildlife refuge in the country - hosting more than 1.5 million annual visitors. The refuge hosts a rare piece of the past - a remnant mixed grass prairie, an island where the natural grasslands escaped destruction because the rocks underfoot defeated the plow. The Refuge provides habitat for large native grazing animals such as American bison, Rocky Mountain elk, and white-tailed deer. Texas longhorn cattle also share the Refuge rangelands as a cultural and historical legacy species. More than 50 mammal, 240 bird, 64 reptile and amphibian, 36 fish, and 806 plant species thrive on this important refuge.

I hope to get some great photos and will post some as I have time during the conference.

My post trip will take me on a tour to learn more about the Wild West (a favorite subject) and the Oil Barrons - more photo ops!

During the conference there are seminars and classes to choose from as well as speakers and most importantly networking.

I can't remember ever being in Oklahoma, although I've been in every state it borders, so this will be a learning experience all around.

Views of the Poulsbo Farmers Market

I love the Kitsap Farmers Markets and have several choices within a short drive of home.

Poulsbo's Farmers Market is a little newer than some of the others but has found its place and is doing very well.

Abby and I met Emma (closest dog - above) back in the dog park days when Abby was a puppy. It is always fun to run into old friends and nice to see an environment where well behaved dogs are welcome.


Pheasant Fields Farms is a favorite. They not only participate in the Poulsbo, Silverdale and Bremerton Farmers Markets, they have a farm camp, their famous Halloween activities including a corn maze, "No Goul, No Gore, No Scare" for the younger crowd and "Wild Woods". You really need to check out their website, or better yet stop by to see all they are doing to keep a family farm running and productive.

Do I have dogs in most of the photos? Yes, there were quite a few dogs, but they were well behaved and add to the wonderful relaxed atmosphere at a farmers market.


Flowers, produce, cheese, baked goods, craft items are just some of what you'll find at a farmers market. You'll also meet neighbors and friends and at most markets you'll find live music and an overall "happy" place to be.

This is a new vendor to me. I tried their smoked salmon and it was exactly the way I like it. Crimson Cove is described on their website as "a family owned and operated smokehouse located on the beautiful Kitsap Peninsula of Washington State. This company was created out of the passion I have for the Northwest. As a pilot in the Navy my job took me away from my home state of Washington and I missed such foods as northwest style smoked salmon. I wanted to share this unique taste with my wife, a native of Chicago, so I experimented with different smokes and brines trying to create that Northwest flavor I missed. I finally achieved the taste I love using wild salmon brined with wine and smoked with the best mixtures of Northwest woods. As the years passed, we shared our smoked salmon and cheeses with friends. We were continually encouraged to sell our smoked foods so others would enjoy this unique taste experience, thus Crimson Cove was created."


Complete list of current Kitsap Farmers Markets

Red-Breasted Sapsucker

The adult Red-Breasted Sapsucker, above, is a regular visitor to our birch tree and can be seen almost daily out the kitchen window.

Today I watched this juvenile (right) closely watching its parent and making its own efforts to get food.

By the time I got into a good position with the camera the juvenile flew up higher and was just watching the parent feeding.

Our yard is full of babies right now; flickers, chickadees, steller's jays, red-breasted sapsuckers and others. It's great entertainment sitting near any window.

Suquamish Canoe Practice

Suquamish youth paddling in Miller Bay.

Summer arrives in Indianola

Kids hanging out on the pier; talking, jumping into the water, enjoying the sun is a sure sign that it really is the first day of summer.

Note the rather pale, Northwest bodies, another sign that it is some of first warm weather worthy of hanging out on the pier.

Take a cruise on a Washington State Ferry

Looks like a cruise ship somewhere amazing?
It is - a cruise on the Walla Walla from Kingston to Edmonds on a beautiful Northwest, Puget Sound day!

Bremerton's Fountain Park

I have posted several entries about Bremerton's Fountain park. Here, beyond the spectacular fountains, marine views, and beautiful sculptures there are rocks. Wonderful, wonderful BIG rocks.

Better than any other playground toy, rocks attract and challenge kids.

Still on the subject of Eagles

Back home, this eagle is perched in a Cedar tree on our bank, below the deck, so I get get photos face on.

An Eagle Story

On tiny Minor Island, an extention of small Smith Island located north of Port Townsend, west of Whidbey Island and south of the San Juan Islands, there are some very interesting residents.

This pictures shows the pair of Bald Eagles surveying their territory. At the base of the tower you can see a pile of sticks which is the only known Bald Eagle nest built on the ground. In the past many young have hatched in this nest but this year there are no babies.

Also on Smith and Minor Islands and the narrow stretch of land that connects them there is a population of Harbor Seals, gulls and other migrating birds and marine mammals.

On this day the eagles took off with their eyes on the islands below watching for opportunities for a meal.

Minutes later one of the eagles returned to a group of Harbor Seals where there were two newly born seals. The seals, all but the two babies and four of the adults scattered into the water.



The eagle calmly walked the beach, turned and pretended not to watch, perhaps in an effort to get the adult seals to let down their guard.

We watched for several minutes and the eagle continued to patiently wait.

As we left we knew that whether or not the eagle got one of the two babies that day, or later, the eagle would eat and baby Harbor Seal would be on the menu eventually. Hard to think about, but natures's way.

Day Trip Whale Watching in the San Juans

Company coming this summer? Do you want a fun getaway close to home? Looking for something the whole family can enjoy?

Take the Puget Sound Express Whale Watching cruise from Port Townsend. For west sound residents it is an easy drive to get to Port Townsend for the 8:40 boarding.

You'll spend the day cruising to the San Juans, looking for whales and other wildlife, enjoying the scenery, shopping and eating in Friday Harbor and you'll be back in Port Townsend in time for dinner at one of the many restaurants.

Refreshments are also available on the boat including freshly baked Blueberry Buckle in the morning.

Each year Pete and Sharri Hanke, owners of PS Express, take our Visitor's Bureau staff and volunteers on a day cruise - yesterday was our day. It was a great break from the office and a chance to once again be awed by the beauty of the Northwest. The California Sea Lion above was on the bouy as we left Port Townsend.
Above is Point Wilson Lighthouse at the Fort Worden State Park.
We saw plenty of whales, harbor seals, waterfowl and other wildlife all along the cruise.
Once in Friday Harbor we enjoyed lunch with a water view, shopped the galleries and stores and stopped in to say hello to a friend, who also own a whale watching business: San Juan Safaris, another great option if you're starting in Friday Harbor.
On the way home we saw lots of eagle activity. I'm going to save the rest of the eagle and harbor seal pictures for another entry since they tell their own story.

Telephone: 360-385-5288

E-mail: info@pugetsoundexpress.com

Picture Perfect Day in Picture Perfect Gig Harbor

Sunday was perfect. Sunny, warm but not hot, and the mountain was out!

We were invited to the christening of Sandy and Joe Pond's new boat now docked at Arabella's Landing in Gig Harbor. It was a beautiful drive to Gig Harbor and we had a party to attend.

Sandy, in the picture above (right) and Marty DeMichele (left) went to high school with husband Jim (middle) in Gary, Indiana many years ago. They discovered each other in the NW around the time of their 40th reunion. I always enjoy when they get together and get to do a little reminiscing.
The purpose of the party was to christen the "Silver Spirit" and Sandy got it done with one try.

The "Silver Spirit"

Our next stop: the Tides Tavern for some dinner on the deck before driving home.
One last view of "THE" Mountain in it's "out" condition on a perfect Northwest day.

A walk at Point No Point

As always, Abby with a stick.
Great strong afternoon light on the Point No Point Lighthouse.
A family enjoying the beach with the lighthouse in the background.
Kids digging a hole. At times I could only see their legs sticking out.

Woman flying kite at Point No Point

A little Photoshop on this one.

One picture of the woman on the ground,

One picture of the kite in the sky,

Take out some of the middle space to bring them
closer together,

and here it is!

Click on the picture to see it larger.

Poppies, Water and Sunshine

My red poppies are out,
the sun is out
and water is a beautiful blue.

Spectacular!

Through the shower window

My favorite feeder is just outside my shower window. The antics of the birds and squirrels are always entertaining

This little guy would reach up, grab a seed or nut and then swing down to eat it. I wanted to go outside to get a better picture but didn't want to miss the moment so settled for taking this through the glass.

Back in the Great Northwest

Nephew Colin McDonald, who is a reporter and working in San Antonio is back for the weekend visiting family.

His reaction to being back is obvious, or is that his reaction to the sunshine this morning; a pretty perfect Northwest sort of day.

Since Colin is home, it was time to once again try for the perfect family photo. Sister Bethany hasn't seen them yet, but this is my favorite for today's casual photo shoot.


Colin, Bethany, Kevin and Ross McDonald
June 14, 2008 - Suquamish, WA

Eagle Under attack

I'm sure this eagle wasn't totally innocent but I did feel a little sorry for it was the crows harrassed it all afternoon.
The crows made some direct hits but I didn't quite capture the moment.


They seemed to take turns and would often gang up on their attacks.

MudUp.org

I love collaborative efforts and this looks like a good one. I also love and enjoy Puget Sound. We live on the Sound, we boat on the Sound, we walk the beaches and my job includes promoting the Sound as a recreational treasure.



Check it out: http://www.blogger.com/www.MudOut.org

Bald Eagle on Piling

This good looking eagle was on one of our pilings when we got home last night.

I got into the tram (to the beach) and snapped pictures on the way down.

This is one of the pair that are here daily.

The eagle kept an eye on me but wasn't really bothered - just curious.

Abby with one of her sticks

Abby and I took a walk on our beach yesterday. Abby loves sticks and although the high tides left the beach covered with logs of all sizes and even a lost boat, there weren't a lot of appropriately sized sticks for Abby to carry. She found this one, which I thought was a bit big to carry on the whole walk but Abby thought it was perfect.
We reached a point with the tide coming back in, where going any further would mean water well above my shoes so I decided to turn around.

Abby dropped her stick and stood her ground. She let me get quite a way down the beach before deciding that she would join me and return home.

Touring Kitsap with George and Ninette Medovoy on a not so perfect day

Travel writers George and Ninette Medovoy (PostCardsForYou.com) are in Seattle as guests of the Pan Pacific Hotel and wanted to see some of the "outer" areas. One of their specialties is "wine" and they wanted to visit the Bainbridge Island Vineyards and Winery. (above at the Bloedel Reserve)

I arranged a day to accommodate their request to return on the 3:50 ferry to attend a reception at the Pan Pacific this evening.

10:10 - I picked them up at the Bainbridge Island ferry and we toured Winslow before heading to the Bloedel Reserve.

It was raining almost the entire walk but we did the full tour, spent some time in the Visitor Center where we conveniently met the Executive Director Mr. Brown who offered pictures for their articles, and then continued the walk back to our car. We spent about an hour and a half, a little shorter than recommended, but we didn't rush, just didn't make many stops.

The swan, below, was along the path, keeping warm and out of the rain.

Next, the scenic drive across the Agate Pass Bridge, a quick glimpse of the Suquamish Clearwater Casino Resort Hotel, continuing along Lemolo and into Poulsbo for lunch at Mor Mor Bistro & Bar - wonderful as always.

A quick driving tour of Poulsbo and then our primary destination: Bainbridge Island Vineyards and Winery on Day Road, Bainbridge Island.

We got a walking tour from Gerard Bentryn, and then enjoyed a wine tasting with both Gerard and Jo Ann Bentryn. (above)

Rather than try and explain the connection the Bentryns have with the land and their philosophy on growing wine, I am including their moto above and a link to their website: http://www.bainbridgevineyards.com/.

This was a good tour and with the addition of a bakery and coffee stop in Winslow, a more leisurely stroll though the Bloedel Reserve, and some shopping Poulsbo it would be a full day tour or a good start on a weekend visit to Kitsap.

Tillicum Village - A Puget Sound Treasure

Blake Island State Park and Tillicum Village are local treasures.

Blake Island is located in the middle of Puget Sound and the only access is via boat.

The entire island is included in Blake Island State Park.

Tillicum Village is at the north end of the island and is a private concession on the island.

You can go to Blake Island in your own boat and have the options of a small marina at the north end, several buoys around the island or with a smaller boat or kayak you can pull up on the beach.

There is also the option of taking one of the regularly scheduled boat trips from Seattle to the island.

Going to Tillicum Village for their famous salmon dinner and stage show is an option whether you arrive on your own or it can be a package deal with the boat ride from Seattle. You can also just go to the show, or get the dinner to go.

Whether you go with a group and take in the full experience of a boat trip, dinner, stage show and walk around the island or just go for the day or to camp and explore the more remote areas this treasure is not to be missed.

Within view of Seattle, Blake Island is a mostly undeveloped area with wildlife, hiking, biking, boating and views in every direction.

NEW this year - you can purchase a season pass and have unlimited access to the island including transportation. Check this, and other specials out here - Tillicum Village Specials

CAMP-BIKE-HIKE...HAVE FUN!
Blake Island is an adventure waiting for you. With gas prices skyrocketing, more people are looking for local activities that don't require a car trip.

Tillicum Village along with Seattle Climate Action Now is spreading the word to GIVE YOUR CAR THE SUMMER OFF!

Park your car and walk, hike or bus to Pier 55 on Seattle's Central Waterfront and catch a boat to Blake Island to camp, picnic, bike, hike or just play on the beach or come for the day and enjoy our World Famous Salmon Bake and Stage Show.

Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a leash and are not allowed in the longhouse area.

Extreme low tides

A few pictures from today's extreme low tide. Above is just south of the lighthouse at Point No Point.
This is my friend Audrey taking pictures of a sea starr on her beach near the Nature Conservancy Preserve.
Looking toward the Nature Conservancy Preserve.
Fourth grade students from Wolfe Elementary at the Nature Conservancy Preserve studying the life at extreme low tide.
Taking Audrey and Jim's tram down the bluff to the beach at extreme low tide.

Missed the low tide today? Don't miss tomorrow - June 5th. Tides will be -4.1 around noon.

Ultimate Low Tides Today - June 4, 2008

Head for the beach, any beach in the Puget Sound region to enjoy some really low tides today.

I'm heading for Hansville where the low will be at 11:40 and a -4.2.

VERY low and with the gentle slope at Point No Point the beach will extend way out past it's normal area. Nice that it is the middle of the week and the weather isn't great because there will be very few people on the beach.

I'll get a few pictures of the extreme low and post them later. I happen to have a meeting in Hansville so it is very convenient to check out the tides although it would be fun to be on our own beach to see the low tide there.

Going to miss it today? Tomorrow is a -4.1 which will look just about the same. For those not used to tides or who don't follow the tides, I get excited at anything that is a negative, very excited lower than a -3.0 so you can imagine - -4.2 - WOW!

Waterfall Gardens

As you approach you can hear the water. Louder and louded and then you turn the corner and see the falls.

With flowers at its edge and trees hanging over the falls, they always make me smile and want to sit awhile.

What is most unique about these falls is that they are in the middle of Seattle, part of a small "pocket" park in Pioneer Square.

"Located at Main and Second, this secluded, lovely park offers an oasis for sightseers, shoppers, and Pioneer Square locals with a majestic waterfall and surrounding seating. A popular lunchtime spot, Waterfall Garden is also wired with power outlets for those wanting to plug in outside. Privately built and maintained by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Waterfall Garden marks the birthplace of the United Parcel Service."


Take a step back and it all comes into focus, this beautiful little park with multiple waterfalls and tiered seating all undercover.

Just for fun, I adjusted the speed a bit and got that lovely waterfall look that many like.

Next time you're downtown, take a break and enjoy this lovely gem of a park.