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Live the Island dream… “Janet’s professionalism, intuition & Island knowledge are phenomenal!” - Jeff & Nora “Genuine, creative, outstanding service... Janet is truly a pleasure to work with!” - Arlynn & Chris
FRONT STREET REALTY Drop by my office next to the Coupeville Wharf 22 NW Front St., Suite B • Coupeville, WA 98239 360-678-6100 • 206-387-1924 www.janetburchfield.com
COUPEVILLE & CENTRAL WHIDBEY VISITOR GUIDE
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Small-town Charm Enjoy our Scenic Parks
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Island Romance Birds, Whales and Wildlife
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Ebey’s Reserve: Sense of Place Whidbey Island Map
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The Island Arts Scene
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Our Farming Tradition A Great Place for Family Fun Revel in Our Sunny Weather
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Finding Your Way
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Calendar of Events
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On the Cover: A little boy waves a flag at the Coupeville Memorial Day parade, and racers compete on Penn Cove during Whidbey Island Race Week in July. Photos: The Whidbey Examiner
Dances performed by members of the Tshmshian Haayuuk tribe are a popular draw at the Penn Cove Water Festival, held each May along Coupeville's historic waterfront. Photo: The Whidbey Examiner
The 2010 Coupeville & Central Whidbey Visitor Guide is a special publication of The Whidbey Examiner, Whidbey Island’s only locally owned, independent community newspaper. To subscribe, call 360-678-8060. Visit the Examiner online at www.whidbeyexaminer.com. Whidbey Examiner staff: Publisher & Editor Kasia Pierzga, Photographer Justin Burnett, Editorial Assistant Joan Soltys and Production Artists Sueann Carter & Scott Pendergraft. © 2010 The Whidbey Examiner, Coupeville, Washington. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from The Whidbey Examiner. The 2010 Coupeville & Central Whidbey Visitor Guide is available online at www.whidbeyexaminer.com.
2010 Coupeville & Central Whidbey Island Visitor Guide
The Whidbey Examiner 3
HISTORIC COUPEVILLE
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n the heart of Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve – the only reserve of its kind in the United States – is the small town of Coupeville, a place steeped in history. Founded in 1852 and named after Captain Coupe, a New England sea captain, Coupeville is the second oldest town in Washington, founded two years before Seattle. Much of the town’s history has been carefully preserved, with more than 100 buildings on the National Historic Register. Coupeville’s early glory days began in the mid 1800s, when its bustling little business district caught the attention of sea captains from New England, some 50 of whom eventually sailed into the pristine waters of Penn Cove and settled into their new home. Coupeville thrived from the middle 1800s
Locals and visitors alike turn out for Coupeville's annual Memorial Day parade, held each year the Saturday before the holiday. Photo: The Whidbey Examiner
to the early 1900s. Businessmen sold goods to prospectors headed to Alaska to seek their fortune, steamboats built in Coupeville plied the waters of Puget Sound, and the town’s residents built beautiful Victorian homes that boasted of the town’s prosperity. In the late 1930s, as development shifted to other parts of Puget Sound, Coupeville settled in as a sleepy agricultural village. Surrounded by scenic farms, the shimmering waters of Penn Cove and Admiralty Inlet and the majestic mountain beauty of the Olympics and the North Cascades in the distance, Coupeville seems frozen in time. The town’s beautifully preserved historic buildings, peaceful charm and interesting, unique shops and restaurants
attract visitors looking to experience a bit of the past while enjoying a relaxing getaway. Visitors find a vibrant business district housed in the original buildings of early Coupeville, charming bed and breakfast inns, beautiful Victorian homes, breathtaking views, a chance to see gray whales and orcas, and a warm welcome from locals eager to share the best of their hometown. Coupeville also is home to the oldest working wharf in Puget Sound. The historic, barnred granary at the end of the 450-foor pier was built in 1905 for the Mosquito Fleet and ships bringing supplies to Whidbey Island and carrying away the produce from local farms. Today, in additon to shops and two eater-
May 29 – Memorial Day Parade and Remembrance Ceremony, Coupeville. A quintessential small-town parade followed by a free concert in Town Park. centralwhidbeychamber.com. 360-678-5434. June 26 – Strawberry Social, Coupeville United Methodist Church. An honest-to-goodness old-time social featuring waffles, shortcake or sundaes made with fresh strawberries from Bell’s Farm near Coupeville. 360-678-4256.
Coupeville offers all kinds of dining options, from waterfront restaurants and casual pubs to a summer hot dog stand. Photo: The Whidbey Examiner 4 The Whidbey Examiner
March 4-6, 2011 – Penn Cove MusselFest, Coupeville. Celebrate Penn Cove’s signature shellfish with chowder tasting, a mussel-eating contest and more. thepenncovemusselfestival. com. 360-678-5434.
2010 Coupeville & Central Whidbey Island Visitor Guide
ies, the remodeled wharf building houses an interpretive display focusing on the marine life in Penn Cove, the preserved skeletons of a gray whale, a Dall’s porpoise and a sea lion as well as an interactive underwater camera you can use to check out the sea life beneath the wharf. The wharf is also home to KWPA 96.9, Whidbey Island Public Radio, a community radio station that offers local programming. The wharf also has public restrooms and showers for visiting boaters. An 80-foot long fuel pier provides access to diesel fuel and unleaded gasoline. Floats attached to the wharf provide about 400 feet of mooring space for pleasure craft. No electricity or fresh water is available at these floats. Just west of the wharf are four mooring buoys for boats 32 feet or less. One of the more unusual destinations for visitors to Central Whidbey is historic Sunnyside Cemetery, just south of Coupeville. Located high on a wooded ridge above Ebey’s Prairie, the peaceful grounds have a broad, sweeping view of Admiralty Inlet and the beautiful farmland below. In the distance, the white-capped peaks of the Olympic Mountains to the west and the Cascade Range to the east provide a majestic backdrop. Established in 1865, the cemetery is the final resting place of many early pioneers. Also buried at Sunnyside are Chinese laborers, Native Americans descended from Whidbey island’s early occupants and sea captains from the eastern United States who sailed into Penn Cove in the early 1850s, found their idyllic vision of safe harbor, and stayed. The cemetery is also home to Davis Block-
Ecle
house, a small structure originally built as a log cabin in 1853 and later remodeled into a blockhouse after pioneer Isaac Ebey was beheaded by a raiding party of Haida Indians in 1857. Ebey and his wife had been the island’s first white settlers, arriving in 1852. Coupeville is a wonderful place for a quiet, romantic retreat, with dining and lodging opportunities in serene and scenic settings. It’s also a great destination for an active vacation centered around beachcombing, trail hiking, sailing, sea kayaking, bicycling, kite-flying, birding and other activities. When planning your trip, a great place to start is by contacting the Central Whidbey Chamber of Commerce at 360-678-5434, or visitor@centralwhidbeychamber.com.
Tea & Talk
Coupeville town d l o 23 Fr ric ont Street in histo
678-6122
Open every day
2010 Coupeville & Central Whidbey Island Visitor Guide
Hats 3 Shoes Purses 3 Jewelry Embellishments for body & home
2 Front Street • Coupeville • 360-678-0664
On the Wharf!
• Tea & Accessories • English Treats • Tea Body Products • Self-Serve Tea Bar • Free WiFi
Enjoy our Garden Courtyard! 7 NW Front St. in historic Coupeville 360-678-3012 www.exoticteastore.com
ctic toys, books c ar d s & ca n dy
The Honey Bear
Where shopping is “Practically Magic”
Phở • Chowder • Stir Frys • Burgers Fresh Penn Cove Mussels Summer Hours: 11 am – 8 pm Daily Winter Hours Vary – Please Call 26 Front St., Coupeville, 360-678-4924
Welcome to the Coupeville Inn Located in downtown Coupeville
One block from the wharf, museum, antique & gift shops & restaurants
• Free Internet & Wi-Fi • Conference Rooms • Continental Breakfast • View Rooms & Suites Available
200 Coveland St. • www.thecoupevilleinn.com 360.678.6668 • WA & BC Reservations 1.800.247.6162 The Whidbey Examiner 5
PARKS
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ids of all ages enjoy visiting Central Whidbey’s beautiful parks, each offering something unique, including beautiful hiking trails, pristine beaches, tent and RV camping, playfields, a historic fort, a retired lighthouse, spectacular gardens and an underwater marine park. At Fort Casey State Park, families enjoy exploring the old fort structures that once were part of the U.S. Army’s “Triangle of Fire” – three military forts that together protected the entrance to Admiralty Inlet. Activated in 1901, the fort was equipped with batteries of “disappearing guns,” so named for their ability to disappear behind the walls of their emplacements during reloading, protecting the gun and crew from enemy bombardment. In its day, the disappearing gun was the height of military tech-
The bluff trail above Ebey's Landing just south of Coupeville has a spectacular view of Admiralty Inlet and the Olympic Mountains, and is a great spot to watch for eagles, hawks, seals, orcas and gray whales. Photo: The Whidbey Examiner
nology. Fort Casey was used as a troop training facility during both World Wars. Fort Casey State Park and adjacent Fort Ebey State Park offer RV and tent camping, hiking trails, fishing, miles of pristine beach to explore and lots of opportunities to see wildlife ranging from seals, waterfowl and shorebirds to our majestic national symbol, the American bald eagle. Fort Casey also offers beach access, restrooms and a public-access boat ramp adjacent to the ferry terminal at Keystone Harbor. The site also boasts an underwater marine park that is a popular destination for scuba divers. Fort Casey also is home to Admiralty
Head lighthouse, located high on a distinctive red bluff overlooking Admiralty Inlet and the Keystone-Port Townsend ferry crossing. During its working life, it was an important navigational aid for sailing ships headed to Puget Sound from the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Built in 1903, the lighthouse, which replaced the original wooden structure, boasts 18-inch, stucco-covered brick walls designed to withstand the concussion from Fort Casey’s big guns. It was operated only until the early 1920s, when steamships replaced sailing ships and the lighthouse was no longer necessary. Today, the lighthouse houses Fort Casey’s interpretive center and is open to the public for
Central Whidbey has plenty of scenic trails offering great views, glimpses of wildlife and a chance for visitors Photo: The Whidbey Examiner – both two-legged and four-legged –to enjoy the great outdoors.
Wildflowers bloom at Pacific Rim Institute for Environmental Stewardship. Photo: Robert Pelant
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2010 Coupeville & Central Whidbey Island Visitor Guide
garden surrounded by a lush, 43-acre woodland preserve. Be sure to visit during springtime to enjoy a spectacular wonderland of rhodies in full bloom. Greenbank Farm, on Hwy. 525 just north of Greenbank, offers 522 acres of rolling fields, forest and wetlands with a 180-degree panoramic view of the Olympic Mountains and Admiralty Inlet to the west and the Cascade Range and Saratoga Passage to the east. The historic farm houses several art galleries, a restaurant, a wine shop and a shop that features cheeses and specialty foods and gifts. The 100-year-old barn is a popular backdrop for outdoor weddings and other events, including the Loganberry Festival held each July.
THE YOGA LODGE ON
WHIDBEY ISLAND YOGA CLASSES
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360 - 222 - 3474
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Wine Shop and Tasting Room
“Tasting Daily” Wines from over 35 Puget Sound boutique wineries and our famous Loganberry Wine!
360-678-7700 / 360-222-3151 RETREATS
Edible Works of Art
BED & BREAKFAST
www.yogalodge.com
Espresso, Pies, Quiche, Soups, Salads & Daily Entrees Select beers and wines available ~Pies to take home~ ~First Friday Dinners~
360-678-1288
360-678-2120 • 3475 Christie Road, Greenbank, WA
Coupeville Wharf & Marina
Diesel & Unleaded Gas • Showers for Boaters • Café • Coffee Shop • Gifts Moorage • Marine Exhibits • Kayak Rentals • Historic Facilities
Protecting the Environment • Promoting EcoTourism
portofcoupeville.org • 360-678-5020 2010 Coupeville & Central Whidbey Island Visitor Guide
• Hiking • Picnic Area • • Gardens • Wildlife • • Festivals & Events •
ank Cheese & Specialt b n e e ie Gr
Welcome to the Port of Coupeville Greenbank Farm
765 Wonn Rd., Greenbank on Scenic State Route 525
s
free tours. It has also become a popular spot for weddings, and in December, when the building is dressed in its best holiday attire, it hosts a special holiday gift shop. Island County-owned Rhododendron Park, about 2 miles south of Coupeville off Hwy. 20, offers RV and tent camping, trails, ball fields, picnic shelters, restrooms and a playground. Nearby, Patmore Pit Off-Leash Dog Park offers 40 fenced acres that includes an agility practice area. The big, grassy meadow is a great place for unrestrained canine games of Frisbee or fetch. Water and waste bags are available on site. From Hwy. 20, turn onto Patmore Road, then onto Keystone Hill Road for a short distance to the park entrance on the left. Libbey Beach, another county-owned park, has restrooms and is a nice spot for birding, a waterfront barbecue or a sunset walk on the beach. It’s on the west shore of the island at the end of Libbey Road off Hwy. 20, just north of Coupeville. Another great place for a picnic is Coupeville Town Park, located about a block west of Coupeville Wharf. The park, which offers a picnic area, restrooms and a tennis court, also features a covered outdoor stage that hosts summertime concerts and other events. If you’re looking for a playground where your children can burn off some energy, try the swings at Coupeville Town Park and the playgrounds at Coupeville Elementary School and at Rhododendron Park. At Meerkerk Gardens near Greenbank, visitors can enjoy a Northwest-style woodland
Rob Schouten Gallery Exceptional Art Exceptional Location Open Daily 10-5
(360) 222-3070 • robschoutengallery.com
Distinctive Art by Island Artists Fine Art Originals Cards ~ Prints ~ Gifts artworkswhidbey.com / 360-222-3010
• Sunday Farmers Market • • Loganberry Festival July 24 & 25 • • Oktoberfest Oct. 2 • • First Fridays Wine & Art Walk 5–8 PM •
www.greenbankfarm.com The Whidbey Examiner 7
ISLAND ROMANCE
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he serene and relaxing environment of Central Whidbey is a perfect place for romance. Whether you’re celebrating an anniversary, escaping for a honeymoon or looking for just the right place to “pop the question,” we offer a variety of accommodations ranging from private getaway vacation homes and intimate Victorian bed-and-breakfasts to traditional hotel suites and quaint country inns. No matter what your taste – or budget – we’ve got just the perfect place for you to stay as you spend time on the Island. During your visit, the historic waterfront town of Coupeville is a great place to spend a quiet day connecting with each other. Wander through the one-of-a-kind shops and galleries along Front, Coveland and Main streets, where you can discover local and regional art, interesting and offbeat antiques, home and cabin décor, apparel, jewelry and unique Northwest gifts. Need help finding your way around? The friendly shopkeepers are glad to help! At lunchtime, grab a bite at one of several local eateries, with menus ranging from traditional tavern and roadhouse fare and homemade pies to Northwest bistro-style dining, Vietnamese cuisine and memorable fine dining featuring mussels grown right here in Penn Cove. A great way to relax and enjoy the spec8 The Whidbey Examiner
www.pendletonimaging.com With spectacular scenery and venues ranging from historic Greenbank Farm and the Admiralty Head lighthouse to romantic B&Bs, Central Whidbey is a great setting for romance. Photo: Pendleton Imaging
tacular local scenery is a drive along some of our most scenic routes. From downtown Coupeville, follow Coveland Street west to where it becomes Madrona Way, a winding route lined with majestic red madrona trees that follows the shoreline of Penn Cove, where you can see a floating mussel farm that grows Central Whidbey’s signature shellfish.
South of Highway 20, Main Street becomes Engle Road as it heads out of town across the pastoral farmland of Ebey’s Prairie National Historical Reserve. Follow the road uphill and take a right on Hill Road, which takes you out along the bluff above our island’s rugged western shore. From Ebey’s Landing – the beach at the bottom of the hill – you can watch tugboats
First Fridays at the Farm, held each month throughout the year at Greenbank Farm. Wine and cheese tasting, art galleries, music. greenbankfarm.com. 360-678-7700. May 22 & 23 – Spring Wine-tasting and Farmers Market, Greenbank Farm. Painters, photographers, handcrafters, growers and producers bring the creativity of Whidbey and the region to this market. greenbankfarm.com. 360-678-7700. July 24 – Summer Swing Dance, Crockett Barn, Coupeville. John Holte Radio Rhythm six-piece orchestra. Sponsored by Concerts on the Cove. concertsonthecove.org. 360-678-6821. Aug. 28 – Whidbey Island Bluegrass Festival, Meerkerk Rhododendron Gardens, Greenbank. Listen to the twang of bluegrass in a laid-back celebration on the lawn amidst a spectacular woodland garden. meerkerkgardens.org. 360-678-1912. Feb. 12-14, 2011 – Red Wine & Chocolate, Greenbank Farm. Celebrate the flavors of red wine and handcrafted chocolates at this romantic Valentine’s Day celebration. greenbankfarm.com. 360-678-7700.
2010 Coupeville & Central Whidbey Island Visitor Guide
and container vessels on the waters of Admiralty Inlet, along with cruise ships headed to north to Canada and Alaska. This stretch is Central Whidbey’s premier spot for a romantic stroll, with miles of unspoiled beach and the perfect place to enjoy a spectacular sunset any time of year. Another lovely place to discover is the Admiralty Head lighthouse, located high on a bluff overlooking Admiralty Inlet within Fort Casey State Park, just south of Coupeville. From the bluff, you can see the Keystone-Port Townsend ferry traveling back and forth between Whidbey Island and the Olympic Peninsula. A popular spot for weddings, the lighthouse is open for tours. In Greenbank, explore the shops and restaurant at Greenbank Farm. On the first Friday of each month, the farm’s wine shop offers evening wine tastings, the galleries and shops are open late and the farm’s restaurant offers a special menu that often features locally grown produce. Greenbank Farm also offers walking paths in the rolling fields above the barns, where you can enjoy the pastoral scenery and the waters of Saratoga Passage beyond. It’s a great place to enjoy a romantic picnic amid pretty, rolling fields. Visit the farm’s shops to pick up some delicious picnic treats. Just south of the farm, in the tiny hamlet of Greenbank, a small winery called Greenbank Cellars offers a place to taste local wines – and buy a bottle to take home. Back from a day of shopping and exploring, you’ll want to find a place to enjoy dinCHAMPAGNE
CHOCOLATE FRESH DELI ITEMS
Your local source! COUPEVILLE 678.6608
OAK HARBOR 675.6600
www.bayleaf.us OLIVES
CRACKERS
LOCAL, ORGANIC SCREAMIN’ BANSHEE BREAD
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GIFTS
2010 Coupeville & Central Whidbey Island Visitor Guide
ner before returning to your accommodations. Coupeville offers a variety of dining establishments ranging from waterfront restaurants and a Northwest bistro to a friendly tavern and several cafés. If you’re still not ready to turn in for the day, take your honey for a drive just north of Coupeville to the Blue Fox Drive-In, one of the few remaining old-fashioned outdoor cinemas in Washington. Coupeville also has a tradition of barn dances, including the Summer Solstice Barn Dance in June. And in October, plan to attend a barn dance and potluck planned as part of the Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve anniversary celebration.
PF
Eat, Relax, Enjoy the View Amazing Cinnamon Rolls Pie • Soup • Salad Sandwiches • Breads Lunch Daily • Breakfast on Weekends a bakery restaurant • two dining levels
4 Front Street • Coupeville Waterfront 678-5431 • kneadandfeed.com
An agent who goes above and beyond the crowd! If once you’ve slept on an island, You’ll never be quite the same... Oh, you can’t say why, and you can’t say how, But you’ll never be quite the same! For more than just an experience in Island living, call me – and live on an island!
I can’t do it without you – You shouldn’t do it without me! Acorn Properties • 32800 SR 20, Oak Harbor
patty@onwhidbey.com • 360-672-4245
Greenbank Cellars w i n e r y
3112 Day Rd., Greenbank • Thurs.-Mon. 11-5 or by appointment 360-678-3964 www.greenbankcellars.com The Whidbey Examiner
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NATURAL BEAUTY
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he red-tailed hawks have seen it all. Centuries of Salish canoes. Tall ships. Trucks and tractors. Screaming Navy jet planes. Yet the elegant raptors still hang on thermals and swoop over fields along the graceful shore of Ebey’s Landing near Coupeville. They watch for something to move in the grass below, dismissing the handful of hikers making their way up the bluff-side trail at this exhilarating place where the prairie collides with the sea. Raptors, coyotes, salmon, shellfish, wildflowers and whales thrive amid the fields, skies, beaches and waters of rural Central Whidbey. Tame deer graze all day on the parade grounds at Camp Casey. It’s a natural paradise that’s equally rewarding to hikers, bicyclists, birders, whale-watchers, artists, photographers – and anyone looking for a serene island escape. Over the years, farmers have signed over the development rights to thousands of acres, now set aside forever as open prairie in Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve. Our spectacular natural environment beckons visitors to explore. Here are a few places to enjoy the best of what the region has to offer:
A graceful blood star clings to underwater rocks (Photo: Mary Jo Adams); an orca breaches within view of the shoreline (Photo: Jill Hein); a bald eagle takes a rest along the beach (Photo: Craig Johnson).
erately in the marsh, necks coiled to spear dinner with their bills. This large marsh and adjacent saltwater shore attract dozens of migrating species, plus hawks, owls, swallows, red-winged blackbirds, waterfowl and shorebirds. Watch gray whales in Penn Cove and Saratoga Passage
The large, leisurely grays often travel solo. Several take up residence in Saratoga Passage in March during their spring migration northward, staying through early June to feed on ghost shrimp in the sandy shallows. Watch for plumes of spray, arching backs and tail flukes from public access points at Monroe Landing, west Penn
10 The Whidbey Examiner
See orcas in Saratoga Passage and Admiralty Inlet
Watch for agile, black-and-white orcas traveling in groups led by a female elder. Pods of Puget Sound resident orcas often prowl the west shore of Whidbey from October through January and may be seen from any high ground or from the deck of the Keystone ferry. Transient orcas pass through our waters at any time of year on either side of the island.
Admire underwater marine life at Keystone Jetty
Birding at Crockett Lake
Hands down, the state-designated Important Bird Area at Crockett Lake is Whidbey Island’s top birding spot, among several great ones. Watch bald eagles devour their kill at the water’s edge while gangly great blue herons step delib-
Cove beach access, Coupeville Wharf, Captain Coupe Park or Long Point. Book a springtime trip on a whale-watching boat from Coupeville Wharf. The grays will be found almost anywhere along the Whidbey and Camano shorelines from Coupeville to Langley.
A heron strolls along a Whidbey Island beach. Photo: Mary Jo Adams
Acres of anemones and coral-encrusted rocks await scuba divers at the underwater marine park next to the Keystone ferry landing. Divers find a wonderland of riotously colorful rockfish, large Pacific octopus and lingcod, schools of forage fish and undulating forests of kelp. Divers who arrive on a weekday often get the entire dive site to themselves. The waters surrounding Whidbey Island are cold and the currents dangerous; consult a pro with local experience at a dive shop in Oak Harbor or Anacortes.
2010 Coupeville & Central Whidbey Island Visitor Guide
Admire majestic trees along Madrona Way
There may be no more delightful canopy of madrone trees anywhere than along the severalmile stretch of Madrona Way, which hugs the southern shore of Penn Cove between Highway 20 and Coupeville. These rare, red-barked, broad-leafed evergreens grow mainly within sight of saltwater and reject human assistance of any kind, including watering! Mingle with mussels and marine life at Coupeville Wharf Gaze down from Coupeville Wharf at clusters of blue-shelled mussels, the succulent local bivalve that appears on restaurant menus worldwide. The world’s largest commercial mussel farm, Penn Cove Shellfish, grows them from lines suspended from dozens of aquaculture rafts anchored a mile west of this pier. Visit the marine exhibits at the end of the pier to learn more about the cove and what swims here. And enjoy the wealth of waterfowl visiting the cove from September through May, including grebes, loons, scoters and goldeneye ducks.
turies-old cedars – when you walk the Wilbert Trail through the Classic U Forest at South Whidbey State Park. Visitors looking for a detailed guide to Whidbey Island’s spectacular natural landscape should pick up a copy of “Getting to the Water’s Edge on Whidbey and Camano Islands,” available for $15 at local bookstores and shops. The book provides maps and descriptions of 57 public places to enjoy the Whidbey shore and includes many trail maps and recreation suggestions. It’s also available by mail by placing an order at www.island.wsu.edu. – Dan Pedersen is the author of Whidbey Island’s Special Places, a beautifully illustrated book that explores the island through the eyes of locals. Reach Dan through whidbeywriter.com.
Come relax at the beach
Enjoy trails and birds at Greenbank Farm
Explore Whidbey’s narrow neck. The water on both sides of the Island can be seen from this rolling hillside, once a vineyard and now set aside as public land for all to enjoy. Walk the farm and woodland trails, watching for herons, hawks and other birds hunting in the grassy fields. Take your dog – and please bag any pet waste.
Hike through old growth in Classic U Forest
Marvel at rare monarchs of the forest – cen-
Coupeville Beach Cabin sleeps 12
A free family festival
Penn Cove Water Festival Saturday, May 22, 2010 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
New! Native Spirit Art Show May 22–23
Tribal Canoe Races Storytelling Native Arts & Crafts Children’s Activities continuing the tradition in Historic Coupeville
Gorgeous Mt. Baker views, no bank waterfront, adjacent boat launch and 2 kayaks for guest use.
Save the Date: Next year’s Water Festival is on May 14, 2011!
Contact Dan: 206-949-8497 HarringtonLagoonCabin@comcast.net
PennCoveWaterFestival.com
Play Dine Stay Historic waterfront lodge and fine dining. The perfect retreat for romance, conferences and weddings.
Madrona Massage Hot Stone Therapy • Reflexology Warm Water Pool Classroom & Meeting Space Louise Mueller, LMP, CNA
2111 Madrona Way, Coupeville
off Hwy 20 across from Captain Whidbey Inn
By Appt. 360-678-2111 madronamassage.net
2010 Coupeville & Central Whidbey Island Visitor Guide
360-678-4097
360-678-1800
www.shipoffoolswhidbey.com
*//
www.captainwhidbey.com info@captainwhidbey.com
2072 Captain Whidbey Inn Road (off Madrona Way), Coupeville The Whidbey Examiner
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A SENSE OF PLACE
M
ore than 30 years ago, local residents and committed citizens came together to protect Ebey’s Prairie from development. Their efforts made history, helping to establish our nation’s first historical reserve. The enduring pioneer spirit and vision continues to be a part of our working rural community today. Established in 1978, the 17,400-acre Reserve preserves and protects a rural community and an unbroken historical record of Pacific Northwest history, from 19th century exploration and settlement to the 21st Century. The landscape is a bucolic tapestry of fields, farmhouses and wooded hills that reflects the pattern of settlement from the 1800s. The historical landscape of Ebey’s Landing appears much as it did a century ago. Historic homes, farmsteads and commercial buildings remain in their original settings. Within the
The beach at Ebey's Landing is a popular destination for salmon fishing. Photo: The Whidbey Examiner 12 The Whidbey Examiner
In the heart of Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve, within view of the Olympic Mountains, the fields at the historic Smith farmstead produce vegetables for sale at local markets. Photo: The Whidbey Examiner
fast-growing Puget Sound region, the Reserve is the last remaining place where visitors can see a broad spectrum of Northwest history still intact within a large-scale landscape. Within the Reserve is one of the largest concentrations of historic architecture in the state, from pioneer blockhouses and Victorian homes to historic Coupeville storefronts. Ebey’s Landing is one of the places where Washington began. Originally cleared by the Northwest’s native Salish Indians, the fertile land – an ancient lakebed – is still used for farming today. The Reserve reaches beyond Ebey’s Prairie to include the boundary lines of the original 1850s land donation claims. Many of the roads we use today are the same roads that farmers used more than 100 years ago. Ebey’s Landing is unique in the nation. While the Reserve is part of the U.S. National Park System and is protected from development, it is by no means a static museum of the past. Within its borders are the thriving small town of Coupeville, neighborhoods tucked away in the trees, and productive farmland still being worked by descendents of some of the families who first established homesteads in the prairie landscape. In 2008, the Reserve celebrated 30 years of protecting the unique historical and cultural landscape of Ebey’s Prairie. As Whidbey Island’s population continues to grow, awareness of the value of protecting this landscape is key
to its continued preservation. Development rights are purchased from willing landowners who want to see their land preserved as part of the prairie’s unbroken historical record, and sustainable building and land-use practices are encouraged as a way to limit our footprint on the land and protect our historic resources for future generations. May 22 – Penn Cove Water Festival, Coupeville waterfront. Free family festival with Northwest tribal canoe races, native arts and crafts, native and Northwest foods and children’s activities. In 2011, the festival will be held on Saaturday, May 14. penncovewaterfestival.com. 360-678-5434. Nov. 5 & 6 – Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve annual celebration & conference, Coupeville. Bring the family for a weekend of handson farming and historic preservation workshops, a barn dance and the biggest community potluck ever. www. nps.gov/ebla; 360-678-5787.
2010 Coupeville & Central Whidbey Island Visitor Guide
FISH & CHIPS! Espresso, Ice Cream & Chowder
Waterfront Dining at its Best! Steak • Seafood • Oysters • Chowder Gourmet Burgers • Grilled Chicken • Full Bar
360-682-2551
Kalua Pig Plate, Ribs, Chicken, Portabella Mushrooms, Spam
frontstreetgrillcoupeville.com
Relaxed Dining, Take out, Catering
PENN COVE VIEW CONDO Sleeps up to 4 (Upper floor condo in the heart of town)
Call ahead or fax your order:
360-682-2553
606 N. Main St., Coupeville www.kimosislandbbq.com
360-678-5577
coupevillewaterfrontlodging.com
Across from the Keystone Ferry Coupeville • 360-678-5396
PENN COVE POTTERY Art Quilts, Glass & Pottery Created by Local Artists
PO
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Halfway between Coupeville & Oak Harbor at the 26 mile marker on Hwy. 20 • 360-678-6464 2010 Coupeville & Central Whidbey Island Visitor Guide
The Whidbey Examiner 13
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The Central Whidbey Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center at 23 NW Front St. in historic downtown Coupeville has staff and volunteers ready to help you find your way around. Find the Chamber online at centralwhidbeychamber.com. Call 360-678-5434 or e-mail visitor@centralwhidbeychamber.com.
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The Whidbey Examiner 15
4/26/10 1:51 PM
VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS
I
t’s no wonder that Central Whidbey is home to so many artists. Endless inspirations are found in Central Whidbey’s bucolic landscapes of open prairie, bluffs, trails and beaches. Soaring eagles draw the eye upward to an everchanging sky. On the clearest days, the light illuminates the nuances of the spectacular island scenery. When clouds blow in, they move fast, shape-shifting and sending shadows scudding across the fields of Ebey’s Prairie. On foggy days, the jagged horizon of evergreens fades into a mist, intriguing the imagination. And on those gray days when clouds hang low in the sky, the colors of nature, with all the greens and punctuations of flower brights, glow all the more intensely. Galleries representing regionally and nationally recognized artists and craftspeople are found in Coupeville, Greenbank and San de Fuca along Hwy. 20 at the head of Penn Cove. Artist-owned and cooperative galleries, art shows and workshops are opportunities for visitors to converse with local artists about their work, inspiration and techniques. The Pacific Northwest Art School pairs students with some of the nation’s best artists, bringing together those who are eager to learn and those who are eager to teach. Set in one of the most beautiful locations in the world, the school’s varied programs emphasize the visual arts. Formed as the Coupeville Arts Center in 1986, today the school attracts both students and professional artists seeking a creative and beautiful atmosphere. In addition to classes, the Pacific Northwest Art School sponsors the annual Plein Air Paint16 The Whidbey Examiner
At Greenbank Farm, where the resident geese occasionally cause a temporary traffic jam, several galleries showcase the works of local and regional artists. Photo: The Whidbey Examiner
ers’ U.S. Open. Now in its fourth year, the fiveday event celebrates painting outdoors. Artists compete to capture, in a few hours, the fleeting effect of light on the Island landscape. The only painting event of its kind in the nation, it allows both professionals and amateurs to work side by side. The closing evening includes a gala celebration, where the winners are recognized and the week’s paintings are sold in both live and silent
Artists' palettes line Coupeville Wharf during Whidbey Island Race Week. Photo: The Whidbey Examiner
auctions. Many local artists also offer classes and workshops at their own studios. Whidbey Island is home to two annual selfguided tours of artists’ studios, one in the spring and one in the fall. The Art Studio Tour, held each
spring, features members of Whidbey Working Artists on Central Whidbey and the north end of the Island. A summer tour set for July 17 and 18 features more than 90 artists with studios scattered throughout the Island. The annual Whidbey Island Open Studio Tour in September offers an intimate glimpse into the artists’ worlds. There is no better way to see and appreciate creation than at the point of inspiration. The two-day tour gives guests the rare chance to meet nearly 100 artists and to purchase their work directly from them in the environment where it was created. Proceeds support scholarships for local aspiring artists. Many of our local artists offer classes and workshops at their studios at various times throughout the year. The performing arts are well represented on Central Whidbey, with a busy season of family-friendly concerts at Coupeville Town Park and other venues, presented by Concerts on the Cove. The fiber arts communities also gather at Greenbank Farm for special textile events. Whidbey Island’s Quilters on the Rock transform the big barn for their annual quilt show, and the Whidbey Weavers Guild offers handspun and hand-dyed yarns, weavings and jewelry at their annual show and sale. In Langley on the south end of Whidbey Island, the Whidbey Island Center for the Arts presents a full schedule of theater, concerts, dance, readings, movies and special events, such as Youth in Arts. 2010 Coupeville & Central Whidbey Island Visitor Guide
June 3 – Whidbey Island Preservation Art Show, Pacific NorthWest Art School, Coupeville. pacificnorthwestartschool.org. 360678-3396. July 17 & 18 – Whidbey Working Artists Summer Art Studio Tour. Free self-guided tour from Greenbank to Oak Harbor. 360-678-3068. Sept. 12 & 13 – Whidbey Artists Cooperative Show, Greenbank Farm. greenbankfarm.com. 360-678-7700. Sept. 25 & 26 – Whidbey Island Open Studio Tour. Some 100 working artists and craftspeople welcome visitors into their studios. islandartscouncil.org. 360-678-3396.
An artist demonstrates technique at Greenbank Farm. Photo: The Whidbey Examiner
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405 S. Main St., Coupeville www.tyeehotel.com 2010 Coupeville & Central Whidbey Island Visitor Guide
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featuring local & national artists unique gifts • open daily
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7
PENN COVE 7
G A L L E R Y Open daily 10–5:30 9 NW Front St., Coupeville 360-678-1176 or www.penncovegallery.com
Located on Coupeville’s historic Front Street
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Your Guide to the Best of Central Whidbey
640 PATMORE RD, COUPEVILLE COOK ON CLAY.COM Please call ahead–we will want to meet you. 360.678.1414
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We’ll take you where you need to go! Island Transit Public transportation throughout Whidbey & Camano Islands – Fare-free and Easy! Check out our Google trip planner at www.islandtransit.org Toll-free: 1-800-240-8747 The Whidbey Examiner
17
FRESH FROM CENTRAL WHIDBEY
A
successful farmer on Whidbey Island has always been one who is optimistic, entrepreneurial and able to adapt to changing market conditions and climate. In the 160 years since settlers first began farming on the Island, farms have gone from small to large and, it seems, back to small again as farmers continually adapt to market conditions. Rich pockets of agricultural lands on Whidbey Island carry a deep history of the evolution of farming. Salish tribes regularly burned the broad, open prairies to encourage wild camas and provide forage for game. As the early settlers arrived, they found the deep, loamy, prairie topsoil and mild climate with good year ’round rainfall a sought-after gift. Land that settlers claimed on Whidbey eventually produced a wheat crop that broke the record for the highest yield per acre in the entire United States. Early farms raised cattle, produced milk, grew hay, wheat, rye and oats as well as peas and potatoes. While the first farms were subsistence operations, Central Whidbey farmers went on to provide supplies for passing sailing ships and, later, for those headed north to seek their fortunes in Alaska. Between the 1880s and 1920s, Chinese tenant farmers were known for their impressive potato crop. Remnants of their tiny, one-room shacks can still be seen tucked away at the edges of the prairie. From the turn of the century to the 1960s, Central Whidbey was known for poultry production, and the early 1900s brought the first dairy creamery. Perfect climate conditions and the ability to grow top-quality forage kept dairies a mainstay of farming until the late 1990s, but changing market conditions and led to the closure of the last dairy farm in 2007. Today,
18 The Whidbey Examiner
A visit to Sherman Farms on Ebey's Prairie near Coupeville is a highlight for locals and families visiting Central Whidbey during the harvest season. Photo: The Whidbey Examiner
the Holstein heifers you see at local farms are being raised for farms elsewhere. Families can get an up-close look at our working farms during the Whidbey Island Farm Tour, held the first weekend in October. It’s a chance to visit with local farmers, purchase locally grown food, fiber and farm-related products, and soak up the rural character of our beautiful island. Some of the most scenic farmland is protected as part of Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve, which encompasses the fertile prairie surrounding Coupeville. Among the most profitable crops grown by Central Whidbey farmers today are vegetable seeds such as beet and cabbage. Seeds produced here are planted as food crops all over the world.
Central Whidbey also is home to several farms that specialize in organic produce. Some sell their fruits and vegetables through community-supported agriculture, at local farmers markets or directly to local restaurants that try to “buy local.” During the growing season, local produce is available each Saturday at the Coupeville Farmers Market, located in the field behind the library, within walking distance of downtown Coupeville. At Lavender Wind Farm on Darst Road west of Coupeville, you’ll find a pretty purple labyrinth in a spectacular scenic setting above the Strait of Juan de Fuca. A gift shop offers lavender gifts, as well as ice cream and other treats made with lavender essential oil.
Aug. 19-22 – Island County Fair, Langley. Bring the whole family to our old-fashioned country fair, where you’ll enjoy music, carnival games and rides, food booths – and lots of animals. islandcountyfair.com. 360-221-4677. Sept. 11 & 12– Whidbey Island Farm Tour. Free, self-guided tour of working farms all over beautiful Whidbey Island featuring locally grown food and products, farm animals and a tour of the largest mussel farm in the United States. whidbeyfarmtour.com. Oct. 9 – HarvestFest, Coupeville Farmers Market. Celebrate the end of the market season with fall produce, food, art, music, a giant pumpkin contest, a pumpkinpitching trebuchet and lots more. coupevillefarmersmarket.com.
2010 Coupeville & Central Whidbey Island Visitor Guide
The Island is home to a few more unusual agricultural operations, such as the largest mussel farm in the nation. Driving along scenic Madrona Way just west of Coupeville, you can see floats bobbing on the waves of Penn Cove, where the workers of Penn Cove Shellfish grow mussels from “seed.” The Central Whidbey farm scene also includes a project aimed at increasing the populations of native prairie plants that might otherwise disappear as open land is developed or used for more traditional farm production. At Pacific Rim Institute for Environmental Stewardship just southeast of Coupeville, volunteers save seeds from about 20 endangered prairie plants, and those seeds are used to restore the prairie environment that settlers found when they first arrived in the 1800s. Spring is a great time of year to see these rare wildflowers in bloom. At Greenbank Farm, a gorgeous sweep of land that started out as a dairy and later became the largest loganberry farm in the country, visitors can roam trails up into the rolling fields for a spectacular view of the sparkling waters and distant mountains that surround the Island. Dogs are welcome as long as they’re on a leash. The historic barn and adjacent buildings house art galleries and a restaurant as well as shops featuring fine wines, cheeses and gifts. Outside, ducks and geese float on a pond next to a demonstration garden that beckons visitors to take a stroll. The farm is home to a Sunday produce and crafts market, and is a great place to enjoy a picnic on a warm, sunny afternoon.
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Saturday & Sunday
September 11th & 12th X For more information visit: www.whidbeyfarmtour.com
LAVENDER WITH A VIEW Have a wedding at the farm or come picnic. Taste lavender ice cream, buy lavender gifts, watch us distill lavender essential oil during harvest. Most products made here at the farm. We are unique! • Labyrinth • Lavender Fields • Sunflowers • Gifts and Plants
For the best in what’s local, shop the Coupeville Farmers Market Saturdays 10 am-2 pm April thru mid-October • 8th & Alexander coupevillefarmersmarket.com 2010 Coupeville & Central Whidbey Island Visitor Guide
Open all year 10-4 Summer 10-5
www.lavenderwind.com
2530 Darst Road, Coupeville I 360.678.0919 The Whidbey Examiner 19
FUN FOR ALL AGES
C
entral Whidbey offers lots of things for kids to see and do. In downtown Coupeville, kids can walk out on Coupeville Wharf and check out the dozens of colorful starfish hanging out underneath the pier. In the historic building at the end of the Wharf, they can visit Rosie, Rudy and Samson – a display of the complete skeletons of a gray whale, a Dall’s porpoise and a Steller sea lion that once swam in the waters off Whidbey Island. An educational display on marine life offers an underwater video camera through which you can see the starfish and other sea life thriving beneath the wharf. And when the tide is at its lowest, it’s easy to spot tangles of bright-orange starfish and squirting clams
Need to burn off some energy? In Central Whidbey, miles of beaches await exploration. Photo: The Whidbey Examiner
20 The Whidbey Examiner
The Whidbey Island Kite Festival, held each year in September at the Camp Casey Conference Center, is a big attraction for kids of all ages. The 2010 festival is set for the weekend of Sept. 25 & 26. Photo: The Whidbey Examiner
from the pier. Families with older children may enjoy renting a couple of kayaks from the Harbor Store at the end of the wharf. At the Island County Historical Museum, you can see the largest collection of woolly mammoth artifacts in the Puget Sound region, most of which were found in glacial deposits on Whidbey Island. Kids are especially impressed by the big tusks and teeth. The museum also is home to Whidbey Island’s first car, a 1902 Holsman with black leather seats, 48inch wheels and a maximum speed of 25 mph. Each October, the museum hosts Mammoth Day. By digging for and identifying different characteristics of real mammoth bones, kids are transformed into real, certified amateur paleontologists. Fun, hands-on activities include making and playing “prehistoric” musical instruments in a Caveman Band. A scavenger hunt in the museum and on its grounds is lots of fun, and along the way, kids get to learn a little about mammoth life. At Greenbank Farm, kids can check out a herd of fuzzy llamas, watch ducks and geese on the pond next to the big red barn or run through the fields where the farm’s signature loganberries once grew. On Sundays from spring through fall, the farm hosts a farmers market with fresh produce and local crafts, and the annual Loganberry Festival always
features an old-fashioned hayride. In October, the Coupeville Farmers Market hosts its annual HarvestFest, featuring a giant pumpkin contest, silly scarecrows, wild and crazy relay races and a pumpkin-pitching trebuchet. Be sure to wander through town to check out the scarecrow competition! Kids also love to explore the beach at Ebey’s Landing, just south of Coupeville. Walk for miles along a pristine shoreline, collecting agates from among the rocks on the beach and keeping an eye out for passing container ships, cruise ships, tugboats – and even an occasional submarine! Fort Casey State Park, which is close to the Keystone ferry dock, is a great place to fly a kite, explore the historic Admiralty Head lighthouse and play hide-and-seek in the old fort structures where soldiers once kept a lookout for invading foreign forces that never came. At the Camp Casey Conference Center, on Engle Road not far from Fort Casey State Park, a protected outdoor swimming pool is a great place to spend a warm summer day. A few miles north of Coupeville, the Blue Fox Drive-In is one of Washington’s few remaining outdoor cinemas. Open since 1959, the theater also offers go-carts, miniature golf and a game arcade.
2010 Coupeville & Central Whidbey Island Visitor Guide
Aug. 14 – Whidbey Island Highland Games, Greenbank Farm. An annual celebration of all things Scottish. Enjoy pipe bands, pipers, dancers and athletic events along with sheepdog demonstrations and plenty of food and fun. wihg.org. 360-331-5437. Sept. 18 – Mammoth Day, Island County Historical Museum, Coupeville. Learn about the days when mammoths roamed the earth, and learn about fossils found here on Whidbey Island. Kids’ activities and more. islandhistory.org. 360-678-3310. Sept. 25 & 26 – Whidbey Island Kite Festival. Camp Casey Conference Center, Coupeville. Colorful kites fill the sky at historic Camp Casey, with kite making, ground and air displays, competitions and children’s activities set against the backdrop of the Olympic Mountains and Admiralty Inlet. whidbeykites.org. 360-678-9358. Oct. 23 – Coupeville Halloween Torchlight Parade. A fun children’s costume party by torchlight (flashlight) begins at dusk. Trickor-treating and kids’ activities follow the parade. coupevillehistoricwaterfront.com. 360-672-4227.
Hungry for some
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July 24 & 25 – Loganberry Festival, Greenbank Farm. Food, music, art and activities for kids, plus a lipsmacking loganberry pie-eating contest. greenbankfarm.com. 360-678-7700.
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2010 Coupeville & Central Whidbey Island Visitor Guide
The Whidbey Examiner
21
REVEL IN CENTRAL WHIDBEY SUNSHINE
T
he weather of the Puget Sound region has been described as extraordinary because of its mild, dry summers and relatively warm, wet winters. But Whidbey Island is even more extraordinary, thanks to the effects of the “rain shadow” cast by the Olympic Mountains, which places most of Whidbey Island in the driest region of Western Washington. The rainfall variation along the 45-mile length of Whidbey Island clearly illustrates the rain shadow effect. The southern tip of Whidbey Island near Clinton is often not in the main rain shadow, as it is too far south. Rainfall there is about 38 inches per year – similar to Everett and Seattle. A little farther north, yearly rainfall totals decrease to about 32 inches at Bayview, 26 inches at Freeland and Greenbank, and to about 21 inches at Coupeville and Oak Harbor. At the northern tip of the island, Decep-
Central Whidbey enjoys lots of sunny weather. Photo: The Whidbey Examiner
tion Pass State Park gets a bit more – about 24 inches. Central Whidbey is lucky. It’s in the rain shadow “sweet spot,” enjoying one of the driest climates in western Washington. The rain shadow also influences the kind of rain that falls in Central Whidbey. While other locations may be getting moderate rainfall, the Coupeville area often gets light rain or drizzle – and those showers are often brief. We also get a bit more sunshine and less cloudy weather.
Another unique feature is Whidbey’s fabulous summer weather. Temperatures are mild throughout the year due to the moderating effects of the cool waters of Puget Sound. In summer the water temperature is about 55 degrees, which keeps air temperatures generally below 80 degrees and humidity at comfortable levels. A visit to a Whidbey Island beach on a hot day is refreshing. Central Whidbey also enjoys dry, sunny summers. The average monthly rainfall in Coupeville in July is 0.73 inches, with August at 0.86 inches. That makes for some of the driest summers not only in the region, but in the entire United States. Planning an outdoor wedding or party? Your best chance of perfect weather is between July 15 and Aug. 15. That’s also when temperatures are warmest, with the average high temperature at about 72 degrees. On the other hand, if you are looking for wind and rain, plan to visit around the Thanksgiving holiday. The stretch between Nov. 15 and Dec. 8 has the best chance for rain. But if you’re a true Northwesterner, you know that a walk on the beach in the wind and rain can be exhilarating – as long as you’re dressed for the weather. Whether you enjoy walking, hiking, bicycling, fishing or just wandering the shops of historic downtown Coupeville, Whidbey Island’s unique geography and location make for a wonderful climate bonanza. – George Haglund
Where will you write the next chapter of your life? Freeland | 5531 Freeland Ave | 360/331-6006 Langley | 223 Second St | 360/221-8898 Windermere Real Estate/South Whidbey
Coupeville | 5 South Main St | 360/678-5858 Oak Harbor | 32785 SR 20, Ste 4 | 360/675-5953 Windermere Real Estate/ Whidbey Island
windermerewhidbey.com 22 The Whidbey Examiner
2010 Coupeville & Central Whidbey Island Visitor Guide
FINDING YOUR WAY TO COUPEVILLE AND CENTRAL WHIDBEY From Seattle, Portland and points south: From I-5 northbound, take exit 189 just south of Everett. Follow signs for the Mukilteo-Clinton ferry. Take the ferry to Clinton on Whidbey Island. Follow Hwy. 525 north, which takes you through the tiny village of Greenbank and past scenic Greenbank Farm. Hwy. 525 joins with Hwy. 20 just south of Coupeville. About eight miles north, a traffic light on Hwy. 20 marks the intersection with Coupeville’s Main Street. Turn right (north) and drive one-half mile into the Coupeville Historic Waterfront District.
From Mount Vernon, Bellingham, Canada and points north:
From I-5 southbound, take Burlington exit 230 and follow signs to Whidbey Island on Hwy. 20. Once on Whidbey Island, follow Hwy. 20 south across the scenic Deception Pass Bridge and through Oak Harbor. About 10 miles south of Oak Harbor, a traffic light on Hwy. 20 marks the intersection with Main Street. Turn left (north) and drive a half mile into historic Coupeville. To get to Greenbank, continue south on Hwy. 20, which becomes Hwy. 525 a few miles south of Coupeville. Greenbank is about eight miles south of Coupeville.
Taking the ferry?
Ferry schedules are available in Coupeville at many local businesses, including Prairie
~ enjoy our wildlife and open space ~
Need information? The Central Whidbey Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center has staff and volunteers ready to help you find your way around. Find the Chamber at the corner of Front and Alexander streets in historic downtown Coupeville, and online at www.centralwhidbeychamber.com. For information, call 360-678-5434, or e-mail visitor@ centralwhidbeychamber.com.
Center Red Apple Market, and at the Central Whidbey Chamber Visitor Center. Port Townsend/Keystone ferry: Advance and same-day reservations are encouraged, but stand-by space is available on every crossing. There is no reservation fee. Full sailings and cancellations due to weather and tides can be expected. Reservations are required at least one day in advance for vehicles with trailers or RVs weighing 6,000 lbs. to 80,000 lbs. You must arrive at the terminal at least 30 minutes before your scheduled departure or you will forfeit your reservation. Making reservations: The Central Whidbey Chamber Visitor Center at the corner of Front and Alexander streets in downtown Coupeville can help you make a reservation. Reservations also may be made by phone at 206-464-6400 or 1-888-808-7977. To make a reservation online, visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/ ferries. WiFi is available at several locations around Coupeville, including at the library. Mukilteo/Clinton ferry: Expect delays during periods of heavy traffic, such as when headed north to the Island on weekday afternoons and evenings, especially on Fridays. When headed south to the Clinton dock, expect delays on Sunday afternoons and evenings. No reservations are available for this route. Whidbey Island also is accessible from the I-5 corridor via Hwy. 20 and the Deception Pass Bridge.
The Locals’ Best Friend.
Got extra time before your ferry ride?
There’s plenty to do within a six-mile radius of the Keystone ferry terminal. You can visit Coupeville and spend time visiting the historic waterfront district, where you can grab a bite to eat, visit our eclectic shops and take a walk on the historic Coupeville Wharf. Also nearby are Fort Casey and Fort Ebey State Parks, where you can visit a historic lighthouse, explore old Army fortifications and take a walk on scenic beaches and trails. At Greenbank Farm, you can visit shops, taste local wines and eat at a restaurant that serves the farm’s signature loganberry pie. To find out what’s happening in the community and learn about upcoming events, pick up a copy of The Whidbey Examiner, Whidbey Island’s only locally owned, independent newspaper. Read the Examiner online at www. whidbeyexaminer.com.
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Whidbey Island’s only locally owned, independent newspaper. • Politics • Business • Sports • Features • Events • Entertainment
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Examiner The Whidbey
News from from the the Heart Heart of of Whidbey Whidbey Island Island News
www.whidbeyexaminer.com • 6 NW Coveland St. • Coupeville
2010 Coupeville & Central Whidbey Island Visitor Guide
THEO
Loyal Reader
The Whidbey Examiner 23
COUPEVILLE & CENTRAL WHIDBEY VISITOR GUIDE
2010 CALENDAR
Saturdays through Oct. 9 – Coupeville Farmers Market. Eighth & Alexander streets, Coupeville. coupevillefarmersmarket.com.
July 18 to 23 – Whidbey Island Race Week, Watch from the Coupeville waterfront as boats compete. whidbeyislandraceweek.com.
Sundays through Oct. 3 – Sunday Market, Greenbank Farm. Produce, food, arts & crafts. greenbankfarm.com. 360-678-7710.
July 2 – First Friday at the Farm, Greenbank Farm. Wine and cheese tasting, art & music. greenbankfarm.com. 360-678-7700
May 9 – Mother’s Day Harp Concert, Meerkerk Rhododendron Gardens, off Resort Rd, Greenbank. meerkerkgardens.org. 360-678-1912.
July 3 & 4 – World’s Biggest Garage Sale, Coupeville Elementary School. 360-678-4105.
May 22 – Penn Cove Water Festival, Coupeville. Northwest tribal canoe races, native arts and crafts, native dance & storytelling. penncovewaterfestival.com. 360678-5434. May 22 & 23 – Spring Wine-tasting and Farmers Market, Greenbank Farm. greenbankfarm.com. 360-678-7700. May 29 – Memorial Day Parade & Remembrance Ceremony, Coupeville. Parade followed by free concert in Town Park. centralwhidbeychamber.com. 360-678-5434. May 29 – Art & Antiques Walk, Coupeville. centralwhidbeychamber.com. 360-678-5434. June 3 – Whidbey Preservation Art Show, Pacific NorthWest Art School, Coupeville. pacificnorthwestartschool.org. 360-678-3396. June 4 – First Friday at the Farm, Greenbank Farm. 360-678-7700. June 12 – CeeCee James Blues Music Revival, Greenbank Farm. 360-678-7700. June 26 – Strawberry Social, Coupeville United Methodist Church, 608 N. Main, Coupeville. All welcome. 360-678-4256. June 26 – WharfFest, Coupeville. A familyoriented waterfront celebration of Coupeville’s maritime history. coupevillehistoricwaterfront. com. 360-678-5434. June 26 & 27 – Spirit of the Northwest Art Show, Coupeville Recreation Hall, 901 NW Alexander. 360-678-0382.
24 The Whidbey Examiner
July 17 & 18 – Whidbey Artists Summer Studio Tour. whidbeyworkingartists.com. July 24 – Summer Swing Dance, Crockett Barn, Coupeville. John Holte Radio Rhythm six-piece orchestra. 360-678-6821. July 24 & 25 – Loganberry Festival, Greenbank Farm. Food, music, art, kids’ activities and a lip-smacking loganberry pie-eating contest. greenbankfarm.com. 360-678-7700. July 31 & Aug. 1– Whidbey Island Regional Art Exhibit & Sale, Coupeville Recreation Hall. 901 NW alexander. 360-678-3068.
wagnwalk.org. 360-678-7700. Aug. 24 to 28 – Plein Air Painters’ U.S. Open, Coupeville and Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve. A gala and silent auction of paintings is held on Aug. 28. pacificnorthwestartschool.com. 360-6783396. Aug. 28 – Whidbey Island Bluegrass Festival, Meerkerk Rhododendron Gardens, Greenbank. meerkerkgardens.org. 360-678-1912. Aug. 28 & 29 – Whidbey Regional Art Exhibit, Coupeville Recreation Hall, 901 NW Alexander. Benefits animal shelter. 360-6783068. Sept. 4 – First Friday at the Farm, Greenbank Farm. Wine and cheese tasting, art & music. greenbankfarm.com. 360-678-7700. Sept. 4 – Art & Antiques Walk, Coupeville. centralwhidbeychamber.com. 360-678-5434. Sept. 5 & 6 – Antiques and Collectibles Show & Sale, Greenbank Farm. 360-341-3280.
Aug. 6 – First Friday at the Farm, Greenbank Farm. Wine and cheese tasting, art & music. greenbankfarm.com. 360-678-7700.
Sept. 11 & 12– Whidbey Island Farm Tour. Free, self-guided family-friendly tour of local working farms. whidbeyfarmtour.com.
Aug. 9 & 16 – Whidbey Island Music Festival, Greenbank Farm. Music of Purcell and Handel. greenbankfarm.com. 360-678-7700.
Sept. 11 & 12 – Whidbey Artists Cooperative Show, Greenbank Farm. greenbankfarm.com. 360-678-7700.
Aug. 14 – Whidbey Island Highland Games, Greenbank Farm. Pipers, dancers and athletic events, sheepdog demonstrations and plenty of food and fun. wihg.org. 360-331-5437.
Sept. 12 – Community Concert & Salmon Barbecue, Town Park, Coupeville. concertsonthecove.org. 360-678-6821.
Aug. 14 & 15 – Tall Ships visit Coupeville. historicalseaport.org. 1-800-200-5239. Aug. 14 & 15 – Coupeville Arts & Crafts Festival, Coupeville. Arts, crafts & music. coupevilleartsandcraftsfestival.org. 360-6785116.
Sept. 18 – Mammoth Day, Island County Historical Museum, Coupeville. Kids can learn about fossils found here on Whidbey Island. islandhistory.org. 360-678-3310. Sept. 25 – Tour de Whidbey, Coupeville. Bike tour with 10-, 40-, 50- and 100-mile routes. whidbeygen.org. 360-678-7656, ext. 4020.
Aug. 19-22 – Island County Fair, Langley. islandcountyfair.com. 360-221-4677. Aug. 23 – Wag & Walk, Greenbank Farm. A festival celebrating all things canine.
see calendar, page 26
2010 Coupeville & Central Whidbey Island Visitor Guide
Victorian-style B&B just steps from Coupeville’s historic waterfront, featuring seven well-appointed rooms with private baths. Full, sit-down gourmet breakfast.
COlbuRN HOuSE Near Waterfront
Town / Water viewA
ANCHORAGE INN
anchorage-inn.com anchorag@whidbey.net 360-678-5581 / 877.230.1313
coupevillevacation.com onisland@whidbey.net 360-678-6668 / 800-247-6162
CalistaCottage.com anchorag@whidbey.net 360-678-5581 / 877-230-1313
GARdEN ISlE GuEST COTTAGES Town / Water view
Town/Water view
CAlISTA COTTAGE This remodeled 1883 cottage next to Anchorage Inn is fully furnished with two bedrooms, bathroom, parlor with fireplace, dining room and kitchen. Sleeps six. Kids and pets welcome.
Water/Mountain Views
Quiet Woodland
guesthouselogcottages.com stay@guesthouselogcottages.com 360-678-3115 / 800-997-3115
thelovejoyinn.com relax@thelovejoyinn.com 360-678-1204
Town / Water views
Water/Mountain Views
2010 Coupeville & Central Whidbey Island Visitor Guide
Near the historic waterfront, the historic Jacob Jenne House (1889) offers 3 distinctive guest rooms. Next door, Wisteria Cottage has room for 4 and small kitchen. WiFi available; Thai restaurant on site.
Voted Best in the West 2009-2010. We do it right! Relax and rejuvenate in our huge rooms with water views & private baths. Enjoy scrumptious breakfasts & afternoon receptions. Free WiFi, walk to waterfront and dining. bluegooseinn.com stay@bluegooseinn.com 360-678-4284 / 877-678-4284
COMpASS ROSE b&b Town / Ebey’s Prairie
Town / Waterfront
COupE dE vIllA b&b
coupedevillabandb.com mauryc@whidbey.net 360-678-4686
spinnakertea.com 360-678-4481
THE bluE GOOSE INN b&b
fortcaseyinn.com 360-678-5050 / 866-661-6604
Walk to historic Front Street from this beautifully appointed suitewith-a-view. Private entrance & patio, kitchenette and WiFi. View of Penn Cove from the deck. One-of-a-kind setting.
Lovely country farmhouse bed & breakfast on 5 acres overlooking Penn Cove and framed by the Olympics and Cascades. Full breakfast or continental breakfast & afternoon tea, coffee & fresh-baked cookies.
mysite.verizon.net/penncovebb 360-632-6316
FORT CASEY INN COTTAGES Nine officer’s houses with 2 bedrooms, bath, kitchen, living room. Heated outdoor pool in summer. Water views, walk to beach, Fort Casey State Park, Admiralty Head lighthouse and ferry to Port Townsend.
gardenislecottages.com 360-678-5641
THE INN AT pENN COvE
Town
Town / Water view
THE lOvEJOY INN & CARRIAGE HOuSE COTTAGE Enjoy coastal living in relaxed Whidbey style. Private baths and family-friendly. Views of Penn Cove and Coupeville Wharf. Just steps to waterfront, dining, shopping and parks. Nice breakfast included.
Lovely private garden cottages. Newly remodeled with hot tub & a spacious 3-bedroom view home nestled in historic old town Coupeville. Adjacent to park, beach, shops and restaurants.
SpINNAKER TEA HOuSE
GuEST HOuSE lOG COTTAGES A couples romantic retreat with six cottages nestled in 25 acres of wooded seclusion. All cottages include a fireplace, kitchen, Jacuzzi & self-serve breakfast. Outdoor hot tub & pool.
Two newly renovated units 1-1/2 blocks from historic waterfront, next to park. One BR, 1 bath unit and 2 BR, 2 bath unit, both with fireplace and full kitchen, breakfast and laundry facility. Great view in 2-bedroom unit!
1890 Victorian with two lovely guestrooms with private baths. Full, elegant breakfast amidst antiques and treasures. Enjoy tea in the afternoon. Well-behaved children welcome. compassrosebandb.com 360-678-5318 / 800-237-3881
The Whidbey Examiner 25
COUPEVILLE AND CENTRAL WHIDBEY VISITOR GUIDE 2010 CALENDAR (con’t) calendar, from page 24
Sept. 25 & 26 – Whidbey Island Kite Festival, Camp Casey Conference Center, Coupeville. whidbeykites.org. 360-678-9358. Sept. 25 & 26 – Whidbey Island Open Studio Tour. islandartscouncil.org. 360-678-3396. October – Scarecrow Corridor, Coupeville. Vote for your favorite scarecrow. centralwhidbeychamber.com. 360-678-5434. Oct. 2 – Oktoberfest, Greenbank Farm. greenbankfarm.com. 360-678-7700. Oct. 7 – Plein Air Photography Show & Sale, Pacific NorthWest Art School, Coupeville. pacificnorthwestartschool.org. 360-678-3396. Oct. 9 – HarvestFest, Coupeville Farmers Market. Food, art, music, giant-pumpkin contest, a pumpkin-pitching trebuchet and lots more. coupevillefarmersmarket.com. Oct. 9 & 10 – Uniquely Whidbey Biz Expo, Coupeville High School campus. islandcountyeconomicdevelopmentcouncil. net. 360-678-6889. Oct 9 to Dec. 18 - Red Ticket $1,000 Cash Giveaway, Coupeville. Shop, dine and stay with participating merchants and earn raffle tickets for a drawing for $1,000 cash. coupevillehistoricwaterfront.com. 360-678-5434. Oct. 15 – Tingstad and Rumble in concert, Camp Casey Conference Center, Coupeville. concertsonthecove.org. 360-678-6821. Oct. 23 – Coupeville Halloween Torchlight Parade. Children’s costume party by torchlight (flashlight) begins at dusk. coupevillehistoricwaterfront.com. 360-672-4227. Oct. 31 – Halloween Kids’ Party & Costume Parade, Greenbank Farm. greenbankfarm. com. 360-678-7700. Nov. 5 & 6 – Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve annual celebration and conference, Coupeville. Hands-on farming and historic preservation workshops, a barn dance and the biggest potluck ever. www.nps. gov/ebla; 360-678-5787. 26 The Whidbey Examiner
Nov. 5 – First Friday at the Farm, Greenbank Farm. Wine and cheese tasting, art & music. greenbankfarm.com. 360-678-7700. Nov. 6 & 7 – Uncommon Threads: Whidbey Weavers’ Guild Show and Sale, Greenbank Farm. greenbankfarm.com. 360-678-7700. Nov. 21 – Coupeville Lodging Open House, historic Coupeville. Bed-and-breakfast inns open their doors for visitors. coupevillelodging. com. 360-678-5581. Nov. 26 to Dec. 19 – Holiday Gift Shop, Admiralty Head Lighthouse, Fort Casey State Park. Open weekends. admiraltyhead.wsu.edu. 360-240-5584. Nov. 26 to Jan. 2 – Victorian Holiday Christmas Parlor Exhibit, Island County Historical Museum, Coupeville. islandhistory. org. 360-678-3310. Nov. 27 – Tree-Lighting Celebration, Greenbank Farm. Caroling, hot cider & cookies, arts & crafts and a visit with Santa. greenbankfarm.com. 360-678-7700. Nov. 27 to Dec. 20 – Holiday Gift Market, weekends at Greenbank Farm. Bring the kids for a visit with Santa. greenbankfarm.com. 360-678-7700. Dec. 3 – Concerts on the Cove Holiday Concert, Coupeville. Saratoga Symphony presents “Night Visitor.” concertsonthecove. org. 360-678-5581.
Dec. 18 – Holiday Home Tour, Coupeville. Enjoy a tour of local historic homes all decked out in their holiday finest. islandhistory.org. 360-678-3310.
Plan ahead for 2011 Feb 5 – Sound Waters, Coupeville High School campus. A fascinating one-day “university” with classes on marine life, plants and wildlife of Whidbey Island. beachwatchers.wsu.edu. 360-679-7327. Feb. 12 to 14 – Red Wine & Chocolate, Greenbank Farm. A romantic Valentine’s Day celebration. greenbankfarm.com. 360-678-7700. March 4 to 6 – Penn Cove MusselFest, Coupeville. Celebrate Penn Cove’s signature shellfish with chowder tasting, a mussel-eating contest and more. thepenncovemusselfestival. com. 360-678-5434. March & April – Meerkerk Gardens Spring Flower Show, Meerkerk Rhododendron Gardens, Greenbank. meerkerkgardens.org. 360-678-1912. March 27 – Cookin’ in the Kettles Mountain Bike Race, Fort Ebey State Park, Coupeville. A challenging 6.5-mile loop on forested park trails, with a short race for kids. Sponsored by the Skagit Bicycle Club. 360-929-5003.
Dec. 3 – First Friday at the Farm, Greenbank Farm. Wine and cheese tasting, art & music. greenbankfarm.com. 360-678-7700
April 16 & 17 – Meerkerk Magic Festival of Flowers and Fairies, Meerkerk Rhododendron Gardens, Greenbank. Children of all ages love this tradition of making forest fairies from woodland materials. meerkerkgardens.org. 360-678-1912.
Dec. 4 – Jingle Trail Run and Walk, Fort Ebey State Park, Coupeville. 5k run and 1-mile walk. centralwhidbeychamber.com. 360-6785434.
May 8 – Mother’s Day Concert, Meerkerk Rhododendron Gardens, Greenbank. Live music in a serene garden setting. meerkerkgardens.org. 360-678-1912.
Dec. 4 – The Greening of Coupeville and annual Holiday Parade, historic Coupeville. A holiday parade featuring Santa Claus aboard a decorated fire truck. Tree-lighting and caroling follow. centralwhidbeychamber.com. 360678-5434.
May 14 – Penn Cove Water Festival, Coupeville. Tribal canoe races, native arts and crafts, native dance & storytelling. penncovewaterfestival.com.
Dec. 4 – Art & Antiques Walk, Coupeville. centralwhidbeychamber.com. 360-678-5434.
May 28 – Memorial Day Parade & Remembrance Ceremony, Coupeville. centralwhidbeychamber.com. 360-678-5434.
2010 Coupeville & Central Whidbey Island Visitor Guide
For over 40 years, Whidbey General has been there for us
When Dawn Sellgren was a little girl growing up in Coupeville, she spent many afternoons playing on the Meng Farm – the site where Whidbey General Hospital was later built. All her children were born at Whidbey General, and her daughter’s children were born here, too. Whidbey General has always been there for the Sellgren family, and they’ve come to depend on having such a quality healthcare facility so close to home. Providing: Acute Medical Services for most of your in-hospital medical care needs. Inpatient and Outpatient Surgery Services; so your family can always be close at hand. An All-Digital Diagnostic Imaging Center; faster results to end the uncertainty. Accredited Cancer Care services; you don’t have to go off-island. Whidbey Family Birthplace; for a close, safe, and satisfying birth experience. 24/7 Emergency Dept. and EMS (Ambulance) for that unexpected medical crisis. And much, much more ... if you haven’t looked at us lately, take another look.
We are One Team with One Purpose: Caring for You! Physician referral services available 101 N. Main St., Coupeville, WA 98239 www.whidbeygen.org • 360-678-5151 • 360-321-5151
WHIDBEY ISLAND ARTISTS GREETING CARDS
BETTY RAYLE
CRAIG JOHNSON
BART RULON
PAM BARGER MARY STANFORD
DAN KARVASEK
ROB SCHOUTEN
NAN HAHN
MARK VAN WICKLER
MICHAEL STADLER
ANDREA COMSKY MEREDITH MCLEOD
GAYLEN WHITEMAN
VERONICA VON ALLWORDEN
COUPEVILLE 40 N. Main St. 360-678-4010 www.lindscoupeville.com
ANNE WATERMAN
FREELAND 1609 E. Main St. 360-331-4760 www.lindsfreeland.com