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Bainbridge Island and Kitsap CountyOn the spectator side, the Bloedel Reserve (www.bloedelreserve.org) offers you 150 acres almost equally divided between rich second growth forest and altered landscapes, gardens, ponds and meadows. Meander through a traditionally planted Japanese Garden, relax beside a rock and sand Zen Garden, or gently step beside the living carpet of the Moss Garden. Watch herons and kingfishers nab trout while geese, swans and ducks float atop the same pond. Start in the bluff-top French Country house-turned visitor center and peruse half-a-day away. History is showcased inside the 94-year old Island Center School in Strawberry Hill Park. In addition to the Bainbridge Island Historical Museum's array of photos, videos, and artifacts, a special exhibition, Ansel Adams: Photographs of Manzanar, is up through September 30th, 2002. Manzanar was the camp Bainbridge Island citizens of Japanese ancestry were sent to during World War II. Parks - Two state and 18 cities, including an aquatic center - comprise a generous portion of Bainbridge Island. Fay Bainbridge State Park offers more than a quarter-mile of shoreline within its 17 acres. Use the salt water to swim, boat, fish, crab, kayak or clam. Stay on shore and put the horseshoe pits, volleyball courts, or fire circles to use. Bainbridge Island's city parks (www.biparks.org) range from one to 318 acres. You'll find soccer and softball fields, tennis and basketball courts, walking and jogging trails, plus a pond and kids play area at Battle Point. Grand Forest offers 240 acres of walking and equestrian trails. The aquatic center provides two pools with lap lanes and diving boards. In addition, the center has a slide, a spa, and a tot pool. The Poulsbo Marine Science Center, 15 minutes north of Bainbridge Island on the shore of Liberty Bay, invites you to look, touch, and spy on the wonders of the Puget Sound. Take plankton from the test tube to the television; let a slimy cucumber slide through your fingers, gawk at the movements of the massive Pacific octopus. The Center offers educational beach walks and lab classes (www.poulsbomsc.org). Further north, near Hansville, the Point No Point Lighthouse fought the hands of technology for its first 113 years, remaining staffed until 1992. The guiding beacon, now managed by Kitsap County, has helped mariners find safe passage between the Kitsap Peninsula and Whidbey Island since 1879. Port Gamble National Historic District; Timber was king in Washington State and saw mill towns were crucial to the settlement of Puget Sound. Washington's most intact and authentic example of an early company town, Port Gamble should not be missed. Step back in time to the Pacific Northwest of the 1800's, visit the historic museum, general store, self-guided cemetery and view historic homes . The quiet streets, picturesque views, and historic buildings will make you dream of a less demanding time, leisurely Sundays of tennis, kite flying and family picnics on the green, Minutes from the Seattle/Bainbridge and Edmonds/Kingston ferries, the Hood Canal Bridge and the Olympic Peninsula. Interested in spending a little time either on or under the water? The Olympic Outdoor Center in Poulsbo (www.kayakproshop.com) will set you up to kayak or sail. They rent equipment and accessories, including roof racks if you want to do your own thing. If you're not ready to venture out without some guidance, the Center offers group lessons as well as private classes. If you want to get beneath the surface, Exotic Aquatics Scuba and Watersports (www.exoticaquaticssscuba.com) offers an introduction to Scuba, escorted shore and boat dives, orientation dives and dry suit orientations. Many divers claim the nutrient rich Puget Sound is as good as cold-water diving gets. Please explore our other Day Trips, to help plan your stay: |
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