Summer Top Ten on the Kitsap Peninsula (and the Pacific Northwest!), Part II
It’s time to talk about some more reasons why I like summer in the Pacific Northwest! (If you missed reasons #1-5, you can find them here.)
6. Yummy Berries to Pick: Whatever your favorite berry, it’s almost certain to grow here. Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, huckleberries, thimbleberries, salmonberries … they’re not only delicious, but good for you, too! Western Washington has the perfect weather for these superfoods so they’re easy to grow in your own backyard, and many of them (especially blackberries, huckleberries, and thimbleberries) can be found growing wild along rural roads. Right now we’re heading out of blueberry season and into the beginning of blackberry season. Anybody hungry for some blueberry cobbler or blackberry pie?
7. Farmers’ Markets: In the last decade we’ve become more aware of the benefits of supporting local farmers and craftsmen by attending local farmers’ markets. They happen all over the Pacific Northwest (and right here on the Peninsula), bringing fresh produce and handcrafted wares to us, right where we live!
8. Great Seafood: Have you ever tried to eat salmon (or any seafood) in Colorado, or Iowa? If you have, you’ll know that nothing beats fresh-caught wild pacific salmon, or Dungeness crab, or oysters, or Penn Cove Mussels, or … well, I think you get my point. I’m not trying to pick on those states—I know they have their own unique strengths as well—but great seafood wouldn’t be one of them! *grin*
9. The Washington State Ferry system: Lots of people complain about the lines, but our ferry system is one of only a few in the United States. And there’s nothing like standing on the bow of a ferry, facing into the wind, letting it blow over and around you while you gaze at snow-capped mountains and forested hills rising from the Puget Sound. It clears your head and refreshes your soul.
10. A thriving artistic community: We have craftsmen, painters, musicians, actors, and writers living here and creating works of art for others to enjoy. You’d probably expect to find artists in big cities, and we have many fine artists in our larger cities of Seattle, Tacoma, and Spokane, but we also have many fine artists living and working in our smaller, rural communities. Take a trip around the peninsula and you’ll find many art galleries, studios, concerts, and book readings featuring the work of local artists.
OK, that’s 10 reasons in two posts, and I’ve barely scratched the surface. We’ll revisit this topic in some future posts, digging a little deeper and getting more specific. As usual, we welcome your comments. What are your favorite things about living in the Pacific Northwest?
