I wandered lonely as a cloud That floats on high o’er vales and hills, When all at once I saw a crowd, A host of golden daffodils; Beside the lake beneath the trees, Fluttering and dancing in the breeze. ~ William Wordsworth In the last throes of winter, a sight of sunshine-yellow flowers is sometimes enough to […]
northwest
Posted inGarden
An Estuary in the Spring
Webster’s Dictionary defines the term “estuary” as “what is commonly called a ‘wetland,’ as an inlet or arm of the sea; especially the lower portion or wide mouth of a river, where the salty tide meets the freshwater current.” Wetland is a popular way to describe this arrangement of nature. For decades, these wet and […]
Posted inAround West Sound
Things to Do Around West Sound in April to Celebrate Earth Day
If you lead an environmentally conscious lifestyle, every day is as good as any to celebrate our planet. But Earth Day is especially meaningful because it’s an occasion to celebrate Mother Earth as well as spread awareness. Did you know that Earth Day was founded by Gaylord Nelson, who was a governor and senator from […]
Posted inThe Outdoors
Owls and Outdoor Toilets
The Teton Raptor Center in Wilson, Wyoming, is attempting to contact as many people as possible who have an interest in the outdoors. The organization’s goal is to increase awareness of a little-known problem: Outdoor toilets can entrap cavity-nesting owls. Other birds that nest or shelter in tree cavities are also at risk. The problem […]
Posted inGarden
Bainbridge Bounty
On a quiet street in the middle of Bainbridge Island, Darren and Kari Murphy have sprouted a garden filled with fruit trees, grapes and vegetables of all sorts. While not a rare sight, theirs exudes an underlying passion for heirloom and unusual varieties and community service. Many of the plant varieties they grow are rare […]
Posted inThe Outdoors
Trail Etiquette Tips for Hiking Around West Sound
We need to be sensitive not only to the environment surrounding our trails, but to other trail users as well. Some of the trails are also open to mountain bikers and equestrians. When you encounter other trail users, whether they are hikers, runners, bicyclists or horse riders, the only hard-and-fast rule is to follow common […]
Posted inPeople & Places
Changing Lives through Music
It’s said that music changes lives — United by Music North America changes lives in profound ways. Based in Gig Harbor, the nonprofit organization works with musically talented people who happen to have intellectual or physical disabilities and helps them become performing musicians. United by Music was founded in the Netherlands in 2006 by Joris […]
Posted inAround West Sound
The Meditation Labyrinths of Kitsap County
Overlooking a bluff with a view of Puget Sound, Bainbridge Halls Hill Labyrinth and its Community Tibetan Prayer Wheel is a peace-filled oasis of Asian-themed landscaping complementing an artist-built labyrinth and hand-cast bronze prayer wheel. Not easy to find if you don’t know the island’s backroads, it’s one of six labyrinths accessible to the public on […]
Posted inThe Outdoors
Trails for Fun and Fitness in Your Big Backyard on the Kitsap Peninsula
Let’s face it: Whether you’re a hiker, walker or runner, life can get in the way when it comes to putting time in on the trail. Far too often, it’s hard for most of us to set aside an hour — never mind a day or even longer — to hit the trails of our […]