Editor’s note: While the weather is still gorgeous, are you trying to pack in as much outdoor times as possible? If you have little ones, hiking can be a challenge. This excerpt was adapted from hiking expert Susan Elderkin’s book, “Best Hikes With Kids: Western Washington” (Mountaineers Books, April 2018), recommends several hikes around our […]
outdoors
Posted inCommunity News
Aug. 25 Fly-In & Car Show to Showcase Vintage War Bombers, Helicopters, Classic Cars and More
Enjoy a day on the flight line during the Bremerton National Airport’s Fly-In & Car Show. Previously associated with the Blackberry Festival, this year the Fly-In will take place Saturday, Aug. 25. The event will pack even more unique flight experiences than ever before, with Historic Flights from Mukilteo bringing its B-25 “Grumpy” and T-6 […]
Posted inThe Outdoors
Fire Smoke Stretches Across the Northwest — How to Stay Safe
Just as we thought the haze and smoke in the air was due to clear out last week, a fresh wave enveloped us this week. It’s not just a problem in the Puget Sound region — the entire Pacific Northwest and much of the West is experiencing unhealthy air quality. That means you may have […]
Posted inHome
Extending the Home to the Outdoors
Outdoor living spaces for cooking and relaxing are gaining popularity in West Sound. Custom homes are being built with these spaces in mind during the design phase, while owners of existing homes are adding them when time and budgets allow. “Everybody likes outdoor spaces when the weather’s nice, especially on the waterfront,” says Judy Gates, […]
Posted inGarden
Always a Dark Side in the Garden
Welcome to the dark side. Almost every new gardener wants a garden full of flowers. Usually the flowers on their wish list come from plants that need full sun. And tomatoes — almost everyone wants to grow tomatoes. Yet it is going to be impossible to grow a decent tomato in a shady garden. Sorry. […]
Posted inPeople & Places
How to Camp like a Scout
A tradition dating back a hundred years, summer camping is the quintessential family experience. For some, it’s the allure of a cheap getaway, as far as vacations go. For others, what makes the idea appealing is the promise that at the end of a short road trip is a wondrous place where time crawls. Where […]
Posted inGarden
The Magic of Fletcher Bay Gardens
The garden of Nick and Marj Masla represents the best of the lives of the Masla family. This beautiful garden is the culmination of three decades of growing a passion for flowers, creating a retreat, building businesses tied to the bounty of the garden and nurturing a family with strong ties to the land. The […]
Posted inCommunity News
Gig Harbor Brings Back ‘Rooster Races’
After a 70-year absence, the Gig Harbor Rooster Races made a triumphant return to the Gig Harbor waterfront in July at Skansie Brothers Park during the Gig Harbor Downtown Waterfront Alliance’s Waterfront Block Party. The event pitted contestants against each other on adult-size bouncy balls adorned with rooster heads, wings and tails. It was quite […]
Posted inHome
Solar Homes — What you Need to Know before Going Solar
The sight of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels on residential roofs around West Sound is no longer a novelty. Enticed by the idea of saving on their power bills — or perhaps the idea of helping save the planet — homeowners are joining the renewable-energy movement. It’s not a cheap investment. Although PV installation prices are […]