Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Copy Link
Swimming With And Without A Pool
It is summer, time to jump in the pool! How better to cool off? Autumn? Sure. Get a few laps in before winter. Winter? Soak up some of that warm water from a heated pool. Spring? Summer’s just around the corner, time to get in shape. Swimming pools on Whidbey? It makes more sense the more you think about it. Whidbey is an island, surrounded by water. Don’t ignore it. Jump into it. Safely, of course.
Whidbey Looks A Little Different:
Fly over some neighborhoods in the US and see blue splotches covering backyards with open-air pools scattered among the houses. A few outdoor pools exist on Whidbey, but they’re rarer. Maybe that has something to do with trees and their needles or leaves. Rain doesn’t bother swimmers. And, lightning is rare here.
The most obvious pools may be the ones you hear about but can’t see while driving around. Many pools are indoors, like the one off Midway in Oak Harbor. The Navy base has at least one. Year-round swimming happens.
Visitors may relax in pools if their hotel has one.
Pools on Whidbey:
Between the two extremes of municipal and individual pools are the neighborhood ones. Several neighborhoods come equipped with large pools. Indoor ones may be year-round. Outdoor ones may be more seasonal. If you’re not a resident of that neighborhood, see if you can buy a membership, like at a country club; or, maybe you can buy a recreational lot that is hard to build on, but that grants you amenities.
Each pool has their differences.
- John Vanderzicht Memorial Pool in Oak Harbor is a public aquatic center offering lap swimming, lessons, water aerobics, and recreational swim sessions.
- Island Athletic Club in Freeland is also a fitness club with an indoor pool, sauna, and aqua fitness classes for members.
- Useless Bay Golf & Country Club in Langley is a private country club with an outdoor pool, tennis courts, and golf course for members.
- Admiral’s Cove Pool in Coupeville is a private community pool with a picturesque view of Penn Cove and access for residents that also offers public swimming lessons in the summer.
- Bon Air heated community pool in Coupeville is a private outdoor community pool.
- Scatchet Head in Clinton is a private community pool that is covered and has a view straight south down Puget Sound.
- Sandy Hook Yacht Club Estates is a seasonal outdoor community pool near a marina in Clinton.
| John Vanderzicht Memorial Pool | Oak Harbor | public | indoor | classes, aerobics |
| Admiral’s Cove | Coupeville | neighborhood | outdoor | |
| Bon Air | Coupeville | neighborhood | outdoor | |
| Island Athletic Club | Freeland | club | indoor | classes, sauna |
| Useless Bay Golf & Country Club | Langley | club | outdoor | golf, tennis, dining |
| Scatchet Head | Clinton | neighborhood | indoor | |
| Sandy Hook Yacht Club Estates | Clinton | neighborhood | outdoor | marina |
Personal Pools:
And yes, some houses have outdoor pools, but some have indoor pools. Some even have pools that can be indoor or outdoor depending on whether they roll back a wall.
If you really want that luxury (or necessity for some) of having a pool at your place, talk to the County about building one. Be prepared for permits and lots of rules. Or, find a house for sale that already has one and buy it, the house, that is. If you aren’t already working with an agent and need one to help you search connect with us here.
In Addition to Pools:
Keep in mind though that when talking about swimming you may find people who skip the pools and use nature’s waters. Lakes get you the fresh water experience, without having to worry about tides. Or, use the waters that define the island’s borders, Puget Sound, the Salish Sea, our bit of the Pacific Ocean. A hint, though, find other swimmers and officials who know the currents, depths, restricted areas, and boat traffic issues. And make sure you’ve got the gear and dry clothes for our perpetually cold waters (~50F).
You may not see swimming opportunities until you look for them, but an island in a temperate part of the world can provide plenty of opportunities and options to swim for fun or exercise or both.
If this article got you thinking about moving to a community with a pool or about buying a home with a pool consider reaching out to your agent today to start the discussion. If you are not currently working with an agent and would like to be paired with a trusted realtor connect with us here so that we can get your questions answered.
Useless Bay Golf & Country Club
The Useless Bay Golf & Country Club, is located in Langley on Whidbey Island. It is one of the most sought-after golf clubs in the country – sometimes with a waitlist that can span several years unless you are lucky. The club has become a symbol of exclusivity and prestige in the world of golf. Many wonder what it is about the Useless Bay Golf Club that makes it so desirable?
Location, location, and design:
The Useless Bay Golf Club boasts a stunning location. It is located on the southern end of Whidbey Island offering breathtaking views of the Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. The course is surrounded by lush forests, rolling hills, and sparkling water, creating a serene and tranquil atmosphere that is hard to replicate.
However, it is not just the location that sets the Useless Bay Golf Club apart. The course itself is widely regarded as one of the best in the Pacific Northwest, featuring challenging holes and expertly designed fairways. Golfers of all skill levels can appreciate the course’s natural beauty and its unique blend of traditional and modern elements.
Exclusive Memberships and Access to Amenities:
In addition to the course itself, the Useless Bay Golf Club is also known for its exclusive membership policies. The club limits the number of members to ensure that each member receives personalized attention and access to the course. Memberships can be passed down through families, creating a sense of tradition and legacy that is highly valued by many golf enthusiasts. If you are a property owner in the colony you are invited to use the fitness center, swimming pool and the tennis courts. Click here to apply to become a member.
As a Golf Member you not only get to golf, but you also get to relax by the pool, play on the tennis, pickleball, and bocce ball courts and train in the fitness center. Unsurprisingly, Useless Bay Golf Club is renowned for its social atmosphere. The club hosts numerous events and activities throughout the year, from holiday parties and golf tournaments to wine tastings and cooking classes. Members are encouraged to socialize and get to know one another, creating a tight-knit community of golfers who share a love for the sport and the club. Not into golfing? There is a Social Membership too! Make sure to visit the brand-new snack shack and so much more. Check out the amenities here.
A Highly Coveted Atmosphere:
The combination of its stunning location, exceptional course, exclusive membership policies, and vibrant social atmosphere have helped to make the Useless Bay Golf Club one of the most desired golf clubs in the country. While the several-year waitlist may seem daunting, it only adds to the allure and exclusivity of the club, making membership even more coveted. For those lucky enough to secure membership, the Useless Bay Golf Club offers a truly unparalleled golfing experience.
Interested in moving to Useless Bay? Don’t have an agent already? Connect with us here to be paired with a reliable realtor.
Dugualla Bay Berries
Everything You Need For Your Trip To
DUGUALLA BAY BERRIES
People often wonder how to prepare for a day at the farm.
We are here to help!
How to get to Dugualla Bay Berries
36951 State Rte 20
What are Dugualla Bay Berries hours?
Where do I go if I have questions?
Is there a restroom I can use while I am there?
Do I need to bring my own baskets?
Can I pick berries in the rain?
Can I bring my pet with me?
How much does it cost?
What do I need to bring with me?
Can I freeze the berries?
Where can I find them on Social Media?
Enjoy your berries fresh, in pies, muffins, syrups, jams, pancakes, fozen, smooties, yougurts, and more!
Whidbey Island has always been widely known for its farming history.
In 1850 Isaac Ebey became the first official white settler on Whidbey Island making claim to the soft rolling hills of what we know as Ebey's Landing today. The rich soil was ideal for cultivating crops which became a significant draw to the island for others. Learn more here.
Over the years several small wharfs were built along the shore of Penn Cove to import and export goods to and from the island.
In conjunction with the development of Fort Casey, our beloved Coupeville Wharf was built extending 500 feet into the cove to accommodate the increase in commerce even when the tide was low. It acted as the main distribution and storage center for grain. Learn more here.
Over the years Whidbey has stayed true to its roots and farmers have expanded into their own unique niches throughout the island.
The summer season brings a unique opportunity for you to visit local farms for a day in the fields picking the best berries and guaranteeing you the freshest pick of the crop for a day that you will remember for years to come.
This September (2022) we have partnered with Dugualla Bay Berries to offer you a 20% discount on your blueberry purchase when you present our special postcard. If you are interested in receiving one and have not received yours already email us here at whidbeycommunications@windermere.com. Provide us your name, and mailing address and specify you would like a discount card to Dugualla Bay Berries.
Fort Casey State Park: Unique History and Breathtaking Views
Located on Whidbey Island, Fort Casey State Park is a great place to visit for those looking to explore the Pacific Northwest and Whidbey Island. It’s hard to pick just one thing that makes this place so special! So we picked three!
#1 The park’s location is perfect for history buffs who also love the outdoors. There are miles of trails winding through forests filled with towering Douglas Fir trees, open grassy fields, and dotted throughout are all the historical infrastructure. It affords several unique photo opportunities from the expansive water views, military relics like the large cannon guns, the infamous Admiralty Head Lighthouse, and fauna like bald eagles and deer.
#2 There are so many stories associated with this one location. History buffs will learn about the Civil War-era military fort that was built here in order to protect against a potential invasion via water from Japan or Russia during World War II with the “Triangle of Fire. The Admiralty Head Lighthouse adds another slant of historical intrigue. The original lighthouse, which was built in 1894 and first lit on January 21st of 1895 could be seen as far away as 14 miles with a focal plane of 128 feet above the high tide line. You can now visit the lighthouse in its expertly restored state and learn from the volunteer docents that keep the small museum housed inside. Learn more here http://www.washingtonlighthouses.org/data/lighthouse_ah.html
#3 So many ways to stay! If a day trip is not long enough to soak it all in you can book a campsite at the base of the bluff on the Southern end of the park. It’s located on a bit of a sandy plateau right next to the Ferry landing that serves the Washington State Ferries Port Townsend to Coupeville route. In fact, a neat feature of weekend camping here is that you can walk on the Ferry and explore the historical Water Street in Port Townsend! Grab an amazing meal from one of Port Townsend’s excellent restaurants just don’t miss the last ferry back! If that sounds too risky then head over to Callens Restaurant for some of Coupeville’s best food and drink. If camping accommodations is not your thing you can stay at Camp Casey with a variety of accommodation types. Check it out here https://casey.spu.edu/staying-at-camp-casey/lodging/
Whichever you choose, a day trip or an overnight stay at Fort Casey State Park is sure to leave you with some one-of-a-kind memories!
The Chris Eger Band on Whidbey
This year, Windermere Whidbey Island partnered with the Oak Harbor Music Festival to bring you four weeks of fantastic music to lead into the eagerly awaited music festival weekend.
On Wednesday, August 17th The Chris Eger Band will be taking the stage at Windjammer Park in Oak Harbor. You can learn more about the event here.
It is likely that you have seen this high-energy band perform at places before like The Beach at Birch Bay, La Conner’s Gilkey Square, Mount Vernon River Walk, Birdsview Diner, Tulalip Casino, and more.
If you aren’t familiar, this crowd-pleasing band always puts on a show you won’t want to miss. They say the band has a “fresh take on vintage, guitar music for the 21st century”.
What some may not know:
When longtime guitar- hero, and Nashville recording artist, Eric Heatherly reached out to Eger he accepted. Together they, “…crafted an album that demands attention” and we bet you don’t want to miss out!
To learn more about The Chris Eger Band click here.
Mark your calendars to join us during the month of August at Windjammer Park in Oak Harbor for our summer concert series featuring a new act every Wednesday evening for the first four Wednesdays. In addition to Chris Eger Band (Aug 17) you can catch Whidbey’s Saratoga Orchestra with featured guests The Gothard Sisters (Aug 3), Zan Fiskum (Aug 10), and Janie Cribbs and the T.rust Band (Aug 24). Presented by the Oak Harbor Music Festival in partnership with Windermere Real Estate Whidbey Island. For more information about dates and times click here.
A Sweet Treat from Zan Fiskum
“Maple Valley raised singer/songwriter Zan Fiskum uses her haunting and beautifully controlled singing to craft ethereal and brooding folk/pop songs.”
If that quote alone doesn’t make you want to get up and listen, I don’t know what will.
Like many of us, Zan grew up in the PNW. Her family volunteered at a diner theater called Auburn Avenue. Like most children, she remembers playing make-believe, except she was playing among the red velvet seats of the auditorium while her family prepared for their performances. When Zan followed suit and took to the stage she was a natural.
“At the age of 12 Zan broke away from the molds of her classical music training and experimented with enmeshing forthright lyrics, cinematic melodies and explosive synth sounds into her songwriting. She went on to release her first 6 singles and achieved over 2 million streams on Spotify alone.”
She found herself and began sharing her unique gift with the world.
“Just 2 years later, Zan made her national debut on NBC’s The Voice as a top 9 finalist and received recognition for her dynamic performing and voice from Billboard magazine, Maggie Rogers, Camila Cabello and the Indigo Girls.”
You might recognize her by her debut album “Sleeping Problems.” To learn more about Zan click here.
She recently has been performing in iconic Seattle venues such as The Moore Theater, The Triple Door, Sasquatch, and more. We are lucky enough to be welcoming her here to Whidbey Island Wednesday, August 10 as part of the Sounds of Summer Concert Series put on by the Oak Harbor Music Festival and Windermere Real Estate Whidbey Island. Mark your calendars every Wednesday evening in August for the first four Wednesdays. In addition to Zan Fiskum on August 10 you can catch Whidbey’s Saratoga Orchestra with featured guests The Gothard Sisters (Aug 3), The Chris Eger Band( Aug 17), and Janie Cribbs and the T.rust Band on (Aug 24). To learn more about the event and others like it click here.
Penn Cove Mussels
Every city or county has that one thing they are famous for. Their claim to fame that puts them on the world map. For some it is a world-famous sports team, others it is a historical location, still some gain fame from the presence of rare exotic animals.
For Island County, it is our mussels.
No, not the Emerald Cup kind of muscles we didn’t make a typo, we mean our Penn Cove mussels.
The History of Penn Cove Mussels
You may not know this, but Island county is home to the oldest and largest mussel farm in the United States (and maybe the world). Penn Cove Mussels, Inc. began culturing mussels in 1975 with the desire to harness the cove’s naturally nutrient-rich water to harvest bigger and better mussels than the ones currently available. The results were incredible! Penn Cove mussels grow at a remarkable rate, enabling the mussels to reach harvest size within one year. This rapid growth rate causes Penn Cove mussels to have a firmer texture, sweeter flavor, and a thinner shell with more meat. As you can imagine, it makes them quite a crowd-pleaser.
Whidbey Island’s proximity to Seattle and the Sea-Tac Airport mean these wonderful shellfish don’t have to be a local secret. Instead, these mussels are quickly air-shipped all over the world for others to experience and enjoy. Mussels harvested in the morning are on the lunch plates of Seattle seafood lovers by that afternoon and dinner entrees in Houston by the evening.
Celebrated with a Festival
35 years our Penn Cove Mussels have been celebrated with a festival. The original celebrations consisted of a community chowder contest that has morphed over the years into 3 days’ worth of activities and fun. The most recent events have attracted more than 6,000 mussels enthusiasts from far and wide. This event alone significantly helps the local merchants recover from the slow winter months.
Musselfest festivities typically kick off on a Friday with the “Mussel Mingle.” This is a time where people gather at the Coupeville Recreational Hall to enjoy food, drink, and music. The next two days are packed full of mussel cooking demonstrations from incredible Seattle chefs, the massive mussel chowder competition involving 16 different local restaurants, the mussel eating competition, tours of Penn Cove Shellfish, Inc., a mountain bike event (“Mussels in the Kettles”) and more!
Musselfest is a massive community affair that requires all hands on deck to pull off. Dozens of volunteers from all over Coupeville donate their time, finances, and resources to make this festival work. For the past few years, Windermere Whidbey agents have volunteered their time at the Waterfront Beer Garden where they serve up some great local ale while listening to amazing local musicians.
Unfortunately, like most events, the Penn Cove Musselfest was canceled due to Covid this past year, but the long-standing love for the festival carried on with the traditional T-Shirt and posters for all of the collectors. Past posters can be purchased here while supplies last.
The 2022 Musselfest is anticipated to take place March 4th, 5th, and 6th pending the state of Covid and guidance from the state and county. Click here to check the status.
Fort Casey Forts
Standing tall along the western coast of Whidbey Island, these 10” barrel guns tell the story of a relationship to the United States Department of Defense that began long before any plane took flight. At the time of its construction in the late 1800s, Fort Casey was a military marvel. Part of the “Triangle of Fire,” this military outpost was one of many strategically placed along the Puget Sound as the first line of defense against aquatic attack. Unfortunately, this magnificent fort’s usefulness was short-lived. By the 1920s Fort Casey’s impressive disappearing guns had already become obsolete and in 1956 the property was purchased by Washington State Parks and Recreation. Today, this fort is one of the most frequented state parks in Washington and a deeply embedded part of Whidbey Island culture.
Check out the rest of Whidbey’s beautiful destinations from this series here.
Langley Village
Langley is known for its unique specialty shops and galleries, showcasing amazing local artisan talent. From the lovely greenery of Bayview Farm & Garden to seaside-inspired jewelry and home décor at Foamy Wader, Langley has something for everyone! Want to try your own hand at some specialty art? Visit Callahan’s Firehouse for a cup of espresso and an amazing glass blowing experience catered to all groups and ages. At the end of the meandering plaza of shops pictured in the postcard is Whidbey’s popular ramen restaurant, “Ultra House.” It’s tucked away from the main drag, makes you feel like you landed in Japan, and is one of the most addictive taste sensations on the whole island!
Check out the rest of Whidbey’s beautiful destinations from this series here.
Bowman Bay
Although not technically on Whidbey, Bowman Bay is a large part of our island’s local culture. This bay, which is located on the Fidalgo Island side of Deception Pass, has a rich history spanning back to the late 1800s. Originally a settlement to a large Samish village, the bay has since served several purposes including a military reserve and salmon hatchery. Download the CCC Scavenger Hunt for a fun way to learn some history! Between the charming old hatchery building, long dock stretching into the bay, boat launch, picnic shelters, playground, and scenic surrounding trails that provide unique views of the bridge itself, this park is one you do not want to miss! Learn more about Bowman Bay here.
Check out the rest of Whidbey’s beautiful destinations from this series here.
