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Glenn Kohaly
The Oak Harbor Marina.
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Glenn Kohaly
Live music at The Oak Harbor Music Festival.
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Jack Penland Whidbey and Camano Islands Tourism
The Deception Pass Bridge
Words by Glenn Kohaly
Laid-back Whidbey Island, the largest of nine islands located in Island County, Washington, is just 50 km (31 miles) north of bustling Seattle. What an outstanding area for exploring the handful of small villages strung together with quiet roads winding their way alongside the coastline, past fertile farmland and through forests.
If you were in a hurry it may take about an hour to drive the 90-kilometre length (55 miles) of Whidbey Island. Yet, in that time you would be seduced to linger in any one of the charming communities of Oak Harbor, Langley, Coupeville, Freeland, Clinton, Greenbank and Bayview.
My wife and I spent a three-day weekend enjoying the island’s artisan communities. We took in music, hiking and dined at little hideaways and popular upscale restaurants that were serving up the full bounty of land and sea, including the area’s coveted Penn Cove mussels.
Our three-hour journey from Vancouver took us across the dramatic scenic wonder of Deception Pass Bridge, which spans the swirling channel 55 metres (185 feet) below while connecting us to the Island. Fortunately, there are pull-outs on both ends of the bridge with access to the bridge’s pedestrian pathway to take photos of this majestic bridge and the scenic views from its deck.
This is a great location for spotting the resident bald eagles. If it’s bigger birds you are looking for, carry on into Oak Harbor, which is home to the Naval Air Station and electronic attack squadrons operating the Growler aircraft.
For more adventure, ask any one of the 30,000 residents you meet on the Island for their favourite hike. You’ll soon realize that this is a great place for hikers and everyone has a favoured opinion.
There seems to be some consensus that the best beaches are on the west side. So, with that in mind, we drove to the well-marked Kettles Trail System at Fort Ebey State Park to hike along the wooded bluffs. With the uninterrupted vista views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca – and some of those famed west side beaches – hikers are often entertained by the local orcas and gray whales, seals, otters and eagles.
Do you like a good festival? Again, everyone has an opinion on their favourite. I doubt there is a week throughout the year where these folks are not having a festival focusing on music, their Dutch heritage, Shakespeare, sailing, or wine and craft beers. There are also hydroplane races, cycling races, kite flying shows, to name just a few.
As luck would have it, we arrived in time for the Oak Harbor Music Festival held annually on Labor Day weekend in historic downtown Oak Harbor. They close down the main street running right alongside the water, erect a stage at both ends and fill the blocks between with every imaginable style of food truck. There are also two beer and wine gardens, and stalls full of local crafts.
We were able to pick from more than 30 bands throughout the free, three-day event that entailed covering all types of musical genre. There is plenty of room to park an RV on the edge of the festival or anchor your boat for the best seats in the house.
On-water access to the Oak Harbor Marina is easy. After entering the channel, just navigate straight into the marina south entrance and approach F dock to port, which is the guest moorage area. These can accommodate boats up to 15 meters (50 feet) with larger boats being moored in other parts of the marina. Crabbing season opens July 1 and lasts to September 4 in this area.
Talking with the Harbormaster, Chris Sublet, I learned that the marina is a clean and friendly place to visit, and there are many stores, restaurants and bars within walking distance of the slips. The Oak Harbor Yacht Club is just steps away and is open to visiting yacht club members. The marina is also home to two “world class” sailing events to include the Whidbey Island Race Week and the San Juan 24 North American Championships.
If you are in need of service or repairs, the marina has it all. These guys go the extra mile with service for their boaters as they offer Wi-Fi, loaner bikes, bus transit, gas barbecues, fire pit with firewood, all no cost. After a half-an-hour of tying up and getting settled, you’ll already feel like a local. Sublet was telling me moorage guests receive .20¢ off per gallon of fuel up to the amount you pay for a night of guest moorage. If you’re not staying with them, you will still receive 5¢ off per gallon of fuel for purchases over 100 gallons.
There are many options for places to stay on Whidbey Island and they range from traditional hotels and motels, to beachside vacation homes and cozy bed and breakfasts. I had heard about the Candlewood Suites chain where all of the units come with fully equipped kitchens, free Internet and access to the 24-hour fitness center. They have positioned themselves as an extended-stay hotel, but we loved it for being a great retreat in the center of Oak Harbor after a busy day of touring.
If you need some "island time" you are only a short drive or a leisurely boat cruise from anywhere in the Pacific Northwest.
For more information about your visit to Whidbey Island check in with the friendly folks at www.oakharborchamber.com and whidbeycamanoislands.com/island-county-tourism-committee
Key Events
Bayview Earth Day Celebration – April, 2018
Old Fashioned 4th of July, Oak Harbor – July 4th,
Whidbey Island Race Week, Coupeville & Oak Harbor – Mid-July, 2018
Oak Harbor Classic Car Show – August, 2018
Oak Harbor Music Festival – Labour Day Weekend , 2018
Oak Harbor Public Market – Thursdays May-October, 2018
Connect with Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce on social media: facebook
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