No. 303 2015 Washington State Discover Pass Free Days

Washington State Parks and Recreation turns 102 this year.

Website: http://www.parks.wa.gov/

List of 2015 “Discover Pass Fee free days” in 2015 when visitors are not required to display the Discover Pass to visit a Washington State Park. 

• Jan. 18-19: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• March 19: State Parks' 102nd birthday
• April 4: Saturday Spring Day
• April 22: Earth Day
• May 10: Sunday Spring Day
• June 6: National Trails Day
• June 13: National Get Outdoors Day
• Aug. 25: National Park Service Birthday
• Sept. 26: National Public Lands Day
• Nov. 11: Veterans Day

In 1913 Washington State legislature creates the Washington State Board of Park Commissioners. The first two were formed from donated land in 1915 : The John R. Jackson House, a pioneer heritage site near Chehalis, and the Chuckanut State Park. In 1947 the State Park Committee was renamed to the Washington State Park and Recreation Commission and given the authority to oversee the state park system, purchase land and collect fees. 

PARK PRESERVES THE 1845 LOG CABIN OF ONE OF THE VERY EARLIEST PIONEERS TO SETTLE IN WASHINGTON. THIS WAS THE FIRST U.S. DISTRICT COURT IN 1850 AND WAS A STOPPING PLACE ALONG THE OREGON TRAIL

As of June 2011 there are 117 State Parks covering 138,000 acres which includes uplands, lowlands, aquatic and marine life areas. The Washington Department of Natural Resources owns an additional 3,000,000 acres throughout the Evergreen State. 

Checkout the WSPR list for further information and to reserve a campsite 

List of 2014 "Fee Free Days"

If you plan on visiting and exploring Washington State-managed land this year outside of the Fee Free Days you will need to have a Discover Pass. Fine for not displaying the pass is $99. 

Here is a list of some of my favorite State Parks 

Click on the links below to learn more about each park

North Sound State Parks

Bay View State Park 

Deception Pass State Park 

Fort Casey, Whidbey Island

Fort Ebey State Park, Whidbey Island

Moran State Park, Orcas Island

Western Washington

Fort Flagler

Seattle Area State Parks

Wallace Falls State Park

Lake Sammamish State Park, Issaquah Washington

Southern Washington 

Rainbow Falls State Park

Cape Disappointment Lighthouse

North Head Lighthouse, Cape Disappointment, WA

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No. 291 Naval Air Station Whidbey Open House 2014

NAVAL AIR STATION WHIDBEY ISLAND, Wash. 
Open House Saturday, July 19, 2014, at Ault Field from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

This event is an opportunity for the public to learn about past, current, and future operations at the Navy’s only air station in the Pacific Northwest and to see static displays of all its assigned aircraft.

A 5K run along the base’s flight line will be held at 9 a.m. with registration starting at 7:30 a.m. Aircraft displays include the EA-18G Growler, EA-6B Prowler, P-3C Orion and MH-60 Knighthawk helicopter, and two unmanned aerial vehicles, the Scan Eagle and an Integrator.

There will also be other visual displays, guided bus tours, a K-9 Working Dog demonstration, bouncy toys for children and a climbing wall for those wishing to test their climbing acumen. Aviation memorabilia will also be available for purchase as well as a variety of food and beverages. There is no ATM on the flight line so please plan accordingly.

All guests will come onto Ault Field via Charles Porter Gate, located just west of the Ault Field and Goldie roads intersection. All visitors over the age of 18 will be required to have state or government issued identification for .access to the base.

Due to security measures, the following items are not allowed on the base: 

- Large bags
- Backpacks
- Weapons
- Coolers
- Pet
- Drugs or drug paraphernalia to include all marijuana products. Other medically prescribed drugs are allowed only if they are in marked medical containers (For example, don't bring medicine in Sunday through Saturday containers).

Visitors are limited to the following items, which will be subject to search by Security Forces:

- Strollers and wagons for toddlers
- Diaper bags for guests with small children
- Small women's purses
- Handicapped items such as wheel chairs
- Official service dogs
- Bottled water, two bottles per person. Free water-refill stations will be available
- Hydration packs (Eg. CamelBaks - hydration only, no backpacks)
- Cameras, video recorders and binoculars. Visitors will be required to show the items work. Items must be small enough to carry by hand.

Recommended Items include:
- Sunscreen

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