No. 280 Aviation Father's Day Weekend 2014

Air Show Season 2014 enters its 15th Week in the Pacific Northwest and Father's Day Weekend has of Aviation events going on.  The 2014 Air Show Calendar 

Everett, Washington
Paine Field Airport

Flying Heritage Collection  Ace Makers Day (Father’s Day)
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Flying Heritage Collection

Come early, learn about classic aviation, and stay to see our warbirds take flight at noon. Starting at 11:00 a.m., Ed Saylor, a Doolittle Raider Veteran, will share his combat experiences in one of our working hangars.

Flying at noon: Focke-Wulf Fw 190, North American P-51 

Focke-Wulf Fw 190

North American P-51

FHC is also hosting the Collings Foundation this weekend at Paine Field for its 
Wings of Freedom Tour 2014
(B-17, B-24, and P-51)

                 Collings Foundation B-24J "Witchcraft"

B-17G "Nine-0-Nine

B-17 "Nine-0-Nine Cockpit View" 

Olympia, Washington
Olympic Air Museum is hosting their 16th Annual Air Show 

FiFi is the only B-29 that is still flying. Image by Jim Mullhaupt 

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No. 237 Lake Cassidy, Centennial Trail

Lake Cassidy lies 3 miles east of Marysville and is just a few minutes east of Highway 9. The lake covers over 123 acres of water and is a popular year round lake for fishing rainbow trout, largemouth bass, yellow perch, black crappie and brown bullhead catfish. This variety of fish attracts many species of wildlife to its shores. Hawks, Eagles, Heron and Bear can be scene all around the lake. On the east side of the lake there is a 2 mile section of the Centennial trail that leads to a boardwalk and dock that reach out into the waters of Lake Cassidy.
There are two options parking to start this 2 mile section.
1.4 miles North of the lake is the Getchell Road Trail head at 8318 Westlund Road
and a 0.6 miles to the south  10000 block of 105 Ave NE 

Lake Cassidy Interpretive Center

East Shore of Lake Cassidy 

Boardwalk

Mature American Bald Eagle near the Interpretive Center 

Washington State travel, Washington State travel, Washington Destinations, Photography, Photography spost, best things to do in Seattle, Best things to in Washington State, Washington Tourism Alliance, Washington State Tourism board, recommendations, recommendations for things to see in washington state, things to do in washington state, things to do in seattle, things to do in Tacoma washington, Washington Photographers, Washington nikon shooters, best seattle photography, washington exploration, experience washington, what to do while visiting seattle, seattle top attractions, seattle foodLake Cassidy marysville, marysville, wildlife photography in marysville, centennial trail information, snohomish county parks, walking in washington

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No. 219 Snohomish Pumpkin Hurl and Medieval Faire

WATCH Pumpkins Fly & Die and Armored Warriors battle it out! Trebuchets and other launching devices hurl pumpkins! On Saturday, it's a crazy competition! On Sunday it's All Chunkers Welcome: bring and demo your chunkin device just for fun, or get a chance to launch a pumpkin with our air cannon or man-powered trebuchets. The Free Lancers, our mounted knights, battle on horseback both days! CLICK HERE for the FULL 2-day schedule. DOWNLOAD Handy Mini Schedule to your phone! PLAY in our Medieval Village! Experience so many hands-on activities, mock battles (for adults and kids!), artisans &music from Mar Cher. Learn the rules of chivalry. Historical Experts the Knights of Veritasshare real relics and reveal true history. Enjoy craft vendors and a wide variety of food too. NEW THIS YEAR: Kids' Scavenger Hunt presented by Unicornphobia Pony Ride & Photo Vendor Dreamland Ponies Seattle Premium Food Trucks- YUM! (Chopstix, Skillet Street Food, Streeteria, 314 Pie, Secret Sausage, Waffle Wagon) Black Powder Gonne demonstrations- LOUD! Come in costume! Not strictly medieval...strut your stuff, whatever your game, comic or movie...all are welcome! Family friendly please! Spirits & Wine Tasting...$5.00 for three tastes, then buy your favorites to take home! (ALIA Wines, Blue Water Distilling, Cedar Ridge Winery, Dark Moon Distillers,Dubindil Winery, Skip Rock Distillers, and Sojen Cellars) WHERE: Alexander Farm Corner 43rd Ave SE and Ebey Island Road Everett, WA (Click here for printable DRIVING DIRECTIONS) TICKETS: $7.50 per person Children 4 and under free. $5.00 parking per car HANDY TIPS:  **Wear sturdy shoes or boots. This event is in a farm field. **Ground may be too bumpy for strollers. **NO PETS ALLOWED. Service animals are welcome. **Entry & parking can be paid with credit/debit. However you may wish to bring cash for food & craft vendors and other amusements!

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No. 214 Saturdays Scott Firefighter Team and Tandem Combat Challenge in Everett, Washington

Recap of Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge August 24th, 2013
Port of Everett
Everett, WA



A brief morning drizzle started off the day in Snohomish County but by the start of the first Everett Firefighter Challenge the drizzle had stopped and the team, tandem and rally competition could begin.
Members of local Fire Departments, US Navy, Canada, Louisiana took part in the event.
Every year the Scott Firefighter Challenge hits the road with its carnival of trucks, equipemt and staff to over 20 cities. The competitors where in high spirits to show off their skills and speed on the obstacle course which includes obstacles they encounter every day of roll outs. Having been a Firefighter II and EMT-B, Unit Officer and 911 dispatcher for 8 years for my local volunteer fire department and city police back east it is still evident that the first responder community is alive and well no matter where you go in the US or abroad.
This being the first time the Scott Firefighter Challenge came to the Everett area may have been a reason that most of the crowds were made of family and friends of the competitors. The start of the Evergreen Fair, Boeing Gold Tournament along with the lack of word of mouth for this event kept attendance fairly low. So keep this event in mind for 2014 and come out and see your local Fire & EMS crews go head to head in individual, tandem and rally competitions on the 5 obstacle course which includes climbing a five-story tower in full tournout gear, dragging and hoisting a fire house, simulating forcible entry, racing around obstacles. The Firefighter Combat Challege motivates, identifies and celebrates America's "best of the best" firefighters.
See you next year. Here are some of today's burning faces

Layout of Course Challenge

The 5 Story Stair climb and hose haul

42lbs Five-Story Hose Haul

Forcible Entry 160lbs Sled Drive

75 feet charged 1 3/4 " attack line haul

100 foot Rescue Randy Mannequin carry 

Click here to continue to more images

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No. 195 An aerial look of Mukilteo from the Lighthouse Catwalk

Mukilteo Light
Mukilteo Lighthouse Park
608 Front St, Mukilteo, WA ‎ 

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The Lighthouse and Gift shop are now open on Saturday and Sunday from 12pm to 5pm through September 29th, 2013.
A $1 per person donation to climb the circular stair way to the top of the lighthouse helps support the  Mukilteo Historical Society which assists the U.S. Coast Guard and the City of Mukilteo in the preservation, maintenance of the grounds and the accessibility of the light station for all to enjoy.

The Mukilteo Light at Mukilteo, Washington is an operational lighthouse with non-rotating fresnel lens. It originally had a revolving Fresnel lens until 1927, when it was replaced with a fixed lens. The grounds and interior, inside a city park adjacent to the Washington State Ferries Mukilteo ferry terminal, are open to the public. The Mukilteo Historical Society maintains the lighthouse and the exhibits about the lighthouse and city history in the keeper's house.
The lighthouse went into operation in 1906. The lighthouse and a modern fog signal were automated in 1979, and in 1981, a remote fog sensor was installed. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977, and in 1991 the Coast Guard leased the lighthouse to the city of Mukilteo, although navigational equipment is still maintained by the Coast Guard.
The Mukilteo Light Station although no longer staffed by USCG still is in service with its Fourth Order Fresnel lens which has a range of 12 nautical miles.  The lighthouse is one of only a few lighthouses constructed of wood.

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The quaint sea side city of Mukilteo is the gateway to southern tip of Whidbey Island via the Clinton Mukilteo Ferry run. To check fares and ferry schedules visit Washington State Ferry Rates. The Puget Sound is a tidal waterway that influences the width of the public beach. Both during high and low tide Mukilteo Beach makes for great landscape and seascape photography. The Mukilteo Lighthouse Park is a popular senior, engagement and wedding photography backdrop for newly weds and families as well.
The sun sets behind the Olympic Mountain range and Whidbey Island. So if you are planning to take a beach stroll prior to sunset for some photography shots keep in mind that the sun will set sooner because of the geography of the mountains to the west. Just east of Mukilteo lies Paine Field Airport home to Boeing 747,757,767,777, and 787 Dreamliner production lines. The airport has multiple public access points for easy plane spotting and has a great collection of vintage aircraft on display at 3 aviation museums.
For more interesting places around Mukilteo see all articles in and around Mukilteo
More shots of Mukilteo Lighthouse
Mukileto Lighthouse Park and Playground
Pioneer Cemetery along the Bluff in Mukilteo
Mukilteo Classic Car Show
A walk up Mukilteo Japanese Gulch 
Plane Spotting at Paine Field Snohomish County Airport
Paine Field KPAE Snohomish County Airport Attractions for everyone
Tails and Trails Mukilteo Off Leash Dog Park 
Historic Flight Foundation - Aircraft Museum 
Flying Heritage Collection Aircraft Museum
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No. 189 Willis Tucker Off Leash Dog Park

Willis Tucker Off Leash Area
6705 Puget Park Drive
Snohomish, WA 98296

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Opened in 2008 the Will Tucker Off leash area is located to the east of the main park and ball fields.  Handicapped parking can be accessed through an automated gate. Otherwise park in the eastern lot above the ball fields and walk to the right and  follow the signs. A second parking lot has been opened south of the dog park in the 5000 block of Puget Park Drive. Gates are open from 7am till dusk.
A 10 min walk from either parking location brings your to the off leash grounds. A forested smaller area is gated off from the main area for the shy/small dogs. The larger section is open and ringed with trees. At 4 acres it is one of the smaller off leash areas in Snohomish County and gets soggy when it rains and is dusty when its been dry. Currently there are no bathrooms or running water available at the dog area. 2014/2015 Park improvements are planned to include permanent restrooms and bringing in a non freeze fountain within the off leash park. 
Keep a rag handy in your vehicle to wipe off the muddy paws and bring some bottle water for your four legged friend if you plan on staying a while.

Fallen tree trunks get a second use as human benches in the middle of the meadow

Agility area for those athletic and trained dogs

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