Elwha River Valley

We drove up the Elwha River Valley yesterday.

It turned out to be a perfect day for the drive. I have never gone there before and it has been on my list of things to do.

The drive leads to the trailhead for the Olympic Hot Springs trail which is a fairly easy hike and just a couple miles. We had Abby with us and didn't take the hike but the parking area was fairly full and we got good reports from those returning.

Fall color is at its height and reflections in the river and Mills Lake were spectacular.

I've uploaded a few pictures but I'll upload many more on http://www.kitsapimages.com/.

If you decide to go: Take HWY 101 past Port Angeles and follow the signs to the Elwha River Valley. This is within the Olympic National Park so you will need to pay an entrance fee.

TIP: If you are 62 or older you can purchase a LIFETIME Senior Pass for ALL Federal fee areas for just $10. This will be good for you and everyone in your car whether you are driving or just a passenger.

Fall Color on Bainbridge Island

A beautiful Fall day on Bainbridge Island. I was heading home and the color and reflection in the window on the Christian Science Church caught my eye.

I drove around the traffic circle and returned to take the picture.

Poulsbo's Fish Park

I have driven by Poulsbo's Fish Park for several years now and read the articles about it but just never quite took the time to stop and check it out.

Today I had an opportunity to stop, walk the trails and enjoy this nature preserve tucked into an urban setting.

The park is a work in process but well worth a stop to visit, walk, picnic, sit, reflect and enjoy the quiet or listen for the sounds of nature.

The park is located at 288 Lindvig Way, easily accessible with a nice large parking area.

There is a long section of boardwalk through part of the wooded area.

This trail leads up a grassy noll to a sitting area with a broad view of the park and a view of Liberty Bay.

There are platforms next to Dogfish Creek where you can spot a wide variety of wildlife, especially birds and waterfowl.

This is a great location to watch the changes in the tide.

What wildlife is seen at a low tide and who comes to visit at a high tide.

During Salmon runs the salmon are easily seen from the viewing platforms.
Interpretive signage can be found throughout the park educating visitors on the habitat, wildlife and history in the area.

The trails are easy and will accommodate strollers. The signage makes this a natural learning experience for children of all ages. The picnic tables and seating makes it a wonderful place for anyone to make a quick escape.

If you haven't visited the park yet, make a point of it next time you drive by.

Just Before Sunrise

Just before the sun peaked over the Cascade Mountains I took this shot of Mount Rainier with Bainbridge Island in the foreground.

An Autumn Walk

Some great Fall color on Bainbridge Island with the marina in the background.

Suquamish Dock Dedication Set

It's Saturday and workers are on the NEW Suquamish dock adding the finishing touches before the dedication set for Saturday, November 1st at 11:00 AM. Following the dedication light refreshments will be served.

The NEW dock is located fairly close to where the original ferry dock once stood. The older fishing dock that was around the corner, closer into Agate Passage has now been torn down. With the dock nearing completion boats are swinging by to check it out.

Mount Baker and a ferry

Just another reason why we live here.

View from a deck

My mother has a dear friend with a beautiful view from her deck.

Quite a while ago my mother asked me if I would take some pictures from her friend's deck and make some cards for her friend.

We watched the weather. Spring was rainy, our schedules didn't mesh, the mountains didn't have any snow. Finally there was a day after the first snow that wasn't perfect, but we got a chance to take some pictures.

Yesterday my mother gave the cards to her friend at a small party and apparently they went over well.

It is truly a beautiful view of Hood Canal and the Olympic Mountains. My favorite is actually of the tree.

Join me at a Sustainable Tourism Seminar

My job, at this point in my life, is as Director of Tourism Development for the Kitsap Peninsula Visitor & Convention Bureau. My business is my photography and that fits into this subject as well.

Working in tourism is a dream "retirement" job. I am certainly not retired, but it does follow more lucrative corporate positions and it is totally a job of choice - working where I live and something that I enjoy and do well.

Every now and then I have a slight conflict. I love the part about showing travel writers around our area, writing newsletters with all the wonderful events our communities host, maintaining a website that draws thousands of visits a day and interacting with our members. But I often get that feeling that I really don't want more people to come and discover this area I have made my home. A bit of a NIMBY comment, but true.

Enter the concept of Sustainable Tourism. Wikipedia says that "sustainable tourism in its purest sense, is an industry committed to making a low impact on the natural environment and local culture, while helping to generate income and employment for locals."

I've heard the term and I've understood the meaning, but a speaker at a recent conference made it real for me, or gave me a bigger picture and showed more of the practical side, not just the "wouldn't it be nice" side.

I am very excited that through a cooperative effort with some of the other Visitor and Convention Bureaus in the state, we are going to bring Andy Dumaine back out to Washington and this time to the Kitsap Peninsula.

The seminar is aimed at those involved in tourism in any way and especially those who make decisions; goverment officials, business owners and managers. If you fit any of those categories you should attend. If it is an area you are passionate about, you should attend.

The seminar takes place November 13, 2008 at Kiana Lodge in Poulsbo, Washington. Check here for all the details and a link to the registration. Hope to see you there.

Sunset on Seattle

A beautiful Fall evening aboard the ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge Island.

The sun was setting over the Olympic Mountains but the best view was back at the City of Seattle basking in the glow of the fading day.

Happy 20th Anniversay Bloedel Reserve

Over 700 visitors responded to the invitation to tour the Bloedel Reserve free of charge and enjoy refreshments at the Visitor Center in celebration of the 20th Anniversary.



Walking the Bloedel Reserve is usually a tranquil experience, in part because of the limited number of people allowed on the grounds at any given time.

While not the normal tranquil experience; seeing only a few, if any, other visitors, today was a wonderful and joyous experience.


Being a school holiday meant there were many families and children enjoying the beautiful Fall day in a beautiful location.


There were people everywhere; coming and going on the trail through the moss garden, looking for the pond with swans, enjoying the Reflection Pond or the views of Port Madison and waiting in line for cake at the Visitor Center.


Everyone was enjoying the day and the experience.


Thank you Bloedels for the Open House. It was a great event and a wonderful gift to those who were able to enjoy Bloedels for the first time.

To those who visited today: Consider returning and buying a membership. You'll be able to visit as often as you like and take three guests with you each time. You'll also receive invitations and/or notices for special events.

A basic membership is now $55 a year - a great price, especially if you use it often. More information on membership.