No. 301 Save Big on 2015 Whale Watching Tours

2014 was an incredible season.  From christening the Island Explorer 4 to seeing whales every day since May 2014, this year will go into the record books.  Check out the whale report to re-live all of the 2014 tours!   View the Whale Report 

ALL GIFT CERTIFICATES AND TOURS FOR 2015

THE BIGGEST SAVINGS OF THE YEAR ARE HERE!

Save 50% off the regular ticket price now through December 24th, 2014 . You can take advantage of the huge savings one of two ways: Call or stop in to purchase a gift certificate to put under the tree. This would also make a great gift for yourself if you are unsure of when you would like to join us for a trip.     OR If you already know when you'd like to go whale watching, book your 2015 tour online with the promo codes below and instantly receive the incredible savings. With this great deal, you have the choice to depart out of any of our three departure locations: Everett 3 hour guaranteed whale watching tour - March 7 through May 8 Adults -- ONLY $34.50 + taxes (regular price $69) Children -- ONLY $24.50 + taxes (regular price $49) Book for a specific date online with code HOLIDAY1 Anacortes (April - October) or Port Angeles (May - October) guaranteed whale watching tour  Adults -- ONLY $54.50 + taxes (regular price $109) Children -- ONLY $24.50 + taxes (regular price $49) Book for a specific date online with code HOLIDAY2 Hurry! This deal expires on December 24, 2014 at 3PM - call 1-800-465-4604or book your 2015 tour online to take advantage of 50% savings! Whale Watching Reviews and Highlights

Island Explorer 4 Arrives in Everett, WA

New to Island Adventures in 2014, the Island Explorer 4 is the little sister to the Island Explorer 3. She is 85 ft long and 24 ft wide, with a full walk around lower deck, spacious upper viewing deck, galley with hot food and beverage for purchase, his and her restrooms, over 300 sq. ft. of outdoor rail viewing space, and has comfortable booth style seating in her indoor heated cabin.



Island Adventure Tour from Anacortes, WA

Based out of Anacortes, Washington, only 90 minutes north of Seattle and 90 minutes south of Vancouver, BC. Anacortes is located on the mainland and is known as the “Home Port” to the San Juan Islands, providing the perfect departure point for our Orca Whale Watching & Wildlife Cruises.
Island Adventures operates a 101 ft. long, 24 ft. wide, 2 story, 99 ton whale watching vessel called "Island Explorer 3." The vessel has a range of 750 miles but daily wildlife excursions are limited to 5hr & generally are 60-90 miles in duration. 






Humpback Tour from Port Angeles, WA 

Introduced in 2014 Island Adventures adds a new destination for marine life viewing in the Puget Sound. Island Explorer 4 departs   Port Angeles, WA in late summer for humpback whale sightings 

Read More

No. 297 Humpack Whales with Island Adventures

Island Adventures
http://www.island-adventures.com/
1801 Commercial Ave
Anacortes, Wa
1-800-465-4604

Back out on the waters with Captain Scott and Tyson for my first humpback whale watching tour on
Island Explorer 4 from Port Angeles, Wa
If you have not taken the drive to western Washington you are missing out on some stunning mountain and sea scenery.
Port Angeles, WA sits along the Strait of Juan de Fuca in the shadow of the Olympic Mountains. For more information on events happening in Port Angeles check out the city's website
http://wa-portangeles.civicplus.com/

Area Attractions near Port Angeles
Hurricane Ridge 
Olympic Game Farm
City of Sequim
Point Wilson Lighthouse 

Images from the day on the water


  

Read More

No. 272 Whale Watching in the North Sound

Great Ways to Save on Whale Watching Tours this summer with 

Island Adventures

801 Commercial Ave

Anacortes, WA

Website: http://www.island-adventures.com/

Phone Number: 360-293-2428

Save Big on EVERY Wednesday 

Save $30 off adult tickets and $20 off children 3-13 yrs

Early Bird Special

9am Departures are discounted $30 for adult tickets and $20 for children 3-12yrs

Can't Sail on a Wednesday or 9am Tour?

Save big on any day with the 

$10+$10+$10 Deal 

1. Book online                                                                  Save $10

2. Book 7+days in advance                                               Save $10

3. Book with AAA, Military ID, Senior 65+, Student ID Save $10

50% Off New Port Angeles Sailing 

Save 50% Off on Port Angeles Humpack Sailings Monday- Friday in September or October when you book ONLINE by July 1st, 2014 using promotion code PA14 

Read More

No.100 Hurricane Ridge

Sunset atop of Hurricane Ridge

Hurricane Ridge is a mountainous area in Washington's Olympic National Park. It can be accessed by road from Port Angeles and is open to hiking, skiing, and snowboarding.
At an elevation of about 5,200 feet (1,585 m), Hurricane Ridge is a year-round destination. In summer, visitors come for views of the Olympic Mountains, as well as for superb hiking. During the winter months the small, family oriented Hurricane Ridge Ski and Snowboard Area offers lift-serviced downhill skiing and snowboarding.
Spectacular views of the Olympic National Park can be seen from the Hurricane Ridge viewpoint. The road leading west from the Hurricane Ridge visitor center is dotted with picnic areas and trail heads. A paved trail called the Hurricane hill trail is popular with visitors, and is about 1.6 miles long (one-way) with an elevation gain of about 700 ft. It is not uncommon to find snow on the trails even as late as July. Several other dirt trails of varying distances and difficulty levels branch off of the Hurricane hill trail. The picnic areas are open only in the summer, and have restrooms, water and paved access to picnic tables.

Western Slope of Hurricane Ridge in evening Light

Olympic Mountain Range from the Parking Lot

Purple Wild Flowers

Plenty of Deer walking through the meadows

Deer looking for a sweet grass snack

Waiting for the Blue Hour

All images are copyrighted by © Pugetexposure Photography. Do NOT use my images on blogs, personal or professional websites, or any other digital media without my explicit permission.

Gear Used:
 

Read More

No.97 Sul Duc Falls

Sul Duc Falls
Olympic National Park

GETTING THERE: From Port Angeles, drive west 27 miles on U.S. Highway 101, turn south on Sol Duc Hot Springs Road (also known as the Sol Duc River Road). The Sol Duc Ranger Station is about 12 miles from U.S. 101. Sol Duc Campground is an Olympic National Park campground, not to be confused with an RV campground operated by the resort. The end of the road is just under 14 miles, elevation 2,000 feet.
Normally most waterfalls are approached from a creek or river bed level, but here a Sul Duc Falls you are above the waterfall which offers a unique not available at most falls.  

A 0.8 mile walk along a wide, well trekked trail, winds you under the canopys of old-growth forest trees, numerous tiny creeks dot the trail on your way to the Canyon Creek shelter, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The shelter is well worth a visit. A one-of-a-kind structure with a cupola, it's a good place to leave your pack on a wet day while you hike a bit farther to view the falls. As you approach the Canyon Creek shelter you will start to hear the rumblings of thousands of gallons of water from the Sul Duc River cascading over a sandstone brim in three separate falls, then flows furiously through a deep canyon. A rustic wooden bridge spans the chasm 70 feet above the canoyon and you will have to shout to be heard above the roar. Cross the bridge and turn left to head up river for alternate views of the bridge and falls. Hikers can continue on the Sol Duc Trail or explore the Canyon Creek Trail. It is just over three miles to upper Deer Lake at 3,500 feet and a junction with the Bogachiel River Trail.

In summer, the spray will dampen your face and camera lenses. The falls don't get much sun, but when shafts of sunlight beam between the somber trees, it is a cosmic moment.

With or without sun, there is a wild beauty that no season of the year can subdue. Pick a season -- you can't miss. Just make sure the Sol Duc River Road -- also known as Sol Duc Hot Springs Road -- is open before you set out, as storms can cause temporary closures.
Bring a tripod, wide angle lens, shutter release and plenty of lens clothes to dry off the water spray. 

The Sol Duc Trail has two trailheads, but the shortest approach to Sol Duc Falls is from the end of the Sol Duc River Road, elevation 2,000 feet. The other approach is from the Sol Duc Campground (1,700 feet). The trail is wide and easy to hike through old-growth forest of Douglas fir. The trail joins the Canyon Creek Trail and Sol Duc Falls at .7 miles. The Sol Duc Trail continues climbing to intersect the Appleton Pass trail at five miles (3,100 feet) and eventually reaches the High Divide at 8 1/2 miles, elevation 5,050 feet.

Click here to order Greeting Cards ad large wall prints of Sul Duc Falls

san juan islands photos

Read More

No.96 Olympic Game Farm, Sequim

1423 Ward Road
Sequim, WA 98382
http://www.olygamefarm.com/

The Olympic Game Farm just a few miles north of Sequim, Washington in a 87 acre animal park that has a 30.000 gallon aquarium, petting zoo and Drive Through Animal Park. For 28 years this farm worked exclusively for Walt Disney Studios, filming here at the farm and on the Olympic Peninsula, as well as on many different set locations. A few popular titles produced with our past animal actors, are “Charlie the Lonesome Cougar”, “The Incredible Journey”, “White Wilderness” and “Grizzly Adams” television and movie series.

Kodiak Bear, Olympic Game Farm

Rosevelt Elks great the next group of vehicles

Get Face to Face with free roaming animals

The Farm allows you to get inches a way from Zebras, Elk, Deer, and Bison by driving your personal vehicle through the 87 acre property. The drive takes approximately 1 hr. Stopping your vehicle is not recommended.  All vehicles must be fully enclosed at all times for your safety. Jeeps, Broncos, etc must have tops on. NO MOTORCYCLES PERMITTED on drive tour.
 The animals have their own daily meals but you can purchase loafs of wheat bread at the ticket booth. I would recommend at least 2 loafs depending on how many people in vehicle want to have a 2000 lbs Bison eating from their hand.

Where do the animals come from?

Most of the Olympic Game Farm’s animals are the offspring of our past animal actors. Several others are either rescues; overflow from other licensed animal facilities; retired from acting in the entertainment industry (other trainers); or we just received as gifts and donations from licensed individuals.

Tibetan Yaks were first domesticated in 1000 BC. Mostly found at high altitudes in the Himalayan Mountains, they can carry over 300 lbs up steep mountain grades. Tibetan Yaks are also referred to as the Grunting Ox. They shed over 7 lbs of course wool per year and is primarily used to make blankets and clothing. Their milk is very rich containing 89% butter-fat, twice as much as a milking cow.

Kodiak Bears can weigh up to 1800 lbs and range from 6 to 10 feet tall. They are coastal bears that originated from Kodiak Island in Alaska and are close cousins to the Grizzly bear. Kodiaks do not have the grizzled fur, the large fat pouch on their neck or shoulders, and are much larger. Kodiaks can run just as fast as quarter horses- up tp 30mph.
Their average life span is 30 years in the wild and 50 years in captivity. They are 80% vegetarian eating fish, rabbits, berries and small game

Roosevelt Elk are the largest of the species and are commonly found around the pacific coast from California to Canada. Their average life span is 20-25 years and can weigh up to 18000 lbs. The average set of antlers weighs up to 50lbs and have 4-6 points. Elk can run 28mph for long distances and 35-45mph for shorter bursts.

American Bison or commonly called Buffalo, have an average weight between 18000-25000lbs with their average life soan of 20 years. The bison are native to open prairies and woodland forests in eastern part of the North American Range. In earlier centuries, their population was over 60 million and has dwindled down to fewer than 50 thousand.

Read More