Community • Events • March 17, 2021

Best Places to See Washington’s Spring Flowers in Bloom

by Silverdale Windermere

Spring is in the air! Here are some of our suggestions for the best places to see Washington’s spring flowers in bloom. Thankfully, there are many wonderful places near us to celebrate and appreciate this beautiful time of year. Mark your calendars and then hop in the car to check these out!

Bloedel Reserve – Bainbridge Island

Photo by Chris Boone.

A spectacular botanical garden, the Bloedel Reserve flourishes this time of year. Undoubtedly, the Japanese Garden is a must-see for anyone who wants to experience a tranquil retreat. It has also been named one of the top ten Japanese Gardens in the United States by the Journal of Japanese Gardening. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, tickets are released in batches and must be reserved in advance. Tickets are $17 for adults, $10 for students (13-18), and $6 for youth (5-12) with college, military, and senior discounts. They also offer annual memberships.

Heronswood – Kingston

Photo by Richard Probst.

This botanical gem was created by Dan Hinkley and his husband, architect Robert L. Jones. It spans almost 15 acres of fantastic flora from all over the world. After lying dormant for nearly six years, Heronswood was renewed through the S’Kallam Tribe. They earnestly restored the garden to its former beauty. This spring, they will be dedicating a stumpery, an artistic display of tree stumps, that recounts the history of the S’Klallam Tribe with the local timber industry. Heronswood opens on April 1st and tickets will be $10 for adults, $5 for children (7-17), and ages 6 and younger are free.

Albers Marcovina Vista Gardens – Bremerton

Photo by Albers Marcovina Vista Gardens.

This wonderful botanical garden is consistently expanding to feature more and more flora for visitors to enjoy. With 15 distinct areas, you’ll leave in awe of thousands of aesthetically arranged plants. On April 24th, they will be hosting “The Beauty of Spring ” tour from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM. Tickets are completely free, but register online.

Skagit Valley Tulip Festival

Photo by Pam Headridge.

In April, Skagit Valley will be hosting its annual Tulip Festival. Millions of tulips collectively create an extravagant display to celebrate spring. And, fun fact: more tulip and daffodil bulbs are produced there than in any other county in the United States. Designed as a driving tour, these flower fields can be seen anytime during April completely free of charge.

For a more in-depth experience, you can visit Tulip Town every day in April from 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM. Tickets are $10 for ages 12 and up, $5 for ages 6 – 11, and kids 5 and under are free. They offer an indoor/outdoor tulip garden, trolley rides (weather dependent), local goods, treats, and more.

Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden – Federal Way

What better way to appreciate Washington’s state flower than by visiting the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden in Federal Way? Located between Seattle and Tacoma, this 22-acre woodland garden has the largest collection of Rhododendron species in the world. Get a glimpse of what they offer by watching this enticing video from 2019. Peak bloom time is mid-March through mid-May. They’re open Tuesday – Sunday, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Be sure to read their updated policies before visiting. General admission is $8, and it’s $5 for seniors and students, free for military and children under 12.

Seattle Cherry Blossoms and Japanese Cultural Festival

Origami flower. Photo by Andy Ahlstrom.

Every year, this free festival is held at Seattle Center and it combines cultural traditions with various types of entertainment to celebrate Japanese culture. They typically have everything from martial arts demos to Japanese food, traditional music to origami contests. Due to the pandemic, the festival will be happening virtually again this year, from April 9 – 11. Check out videos from last year’s fun virtual event.

Although the University of Washington campus is typically a great place to stroll beneath the blossoming trees, UW is once again asking people to view their beautiful blossoming trees virtually this year due to COVID-19. If you’re in the Seattle area, you can use the Seattle Department of Transportation’s interactive map of trees to see where you can drive to enjoy blossoms. To search for cherry trees in a specific neighborhood, click the tab at the top that’s titled “Explore Street Trees”. Then scroll down on the left-hand side and click on “Trees By Type” to look for trees with the “Prunus” genus to view cherry or plum trees.

Community • December 3, 2020

Silverdale & Bremerton: Strong Communities, Convenience and Charm

by Silverdale Windermere

Surrounded by Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains, Silverdale and Bremerton boast a range of businesses and entertainment as well as a strong military presence.

From Settlers to City

On a beautiful, cloudy day, the Silverdale waterfront gleams with a silver glow. On shore, a bustling city center houses the most expansive shopping experience on the Kitsap Peninsula. There are local favorites like Purpose Boutique, Lisa Stirrett Glass Art Studio, and Silverdale Antiques. And, you can find everything you need by visiting Kitsap Mall, Trader Joe’s, and Costco. Great stops for a bite to eat include popular places like Monica’s Waterfront Bakery & Cafe, Jo:a Japanese Restaurant and Yacht Club Broiler.

While it’s a strong center for economic development today, Silverdale actually started in a modest fashion. First formed in 1920 as an unincorporated port to serve the logging industry, Silverdale transitioned to a farming town. This gave way to Scandinavian immigrants who became the first permanent settlers in Silverdale.

: Aerial view, Port of Silverdale, 1952

: Visitors at the old dock in Silverdale on Dyes Inlet, Kitsap County

Source: Port of Silverdale

In the decades that followed, the introduction to the ‘Bremerton-to-Poulsbo Highway’ changed Silverdale into Kitsap’s busy commercial center. Over time, Silverdale began adding amenities like the popular Silverdale Waterfront Park to honor the proud Old Town port of its early days.

Bremerton’s Beginnings

Founded by the vision of Real Estate businessman, William Bremer, and platted in 1891, Bremerton houses the largest Naval Shipyard on the West Coast. The Puget Sound Naval Shipyard survived both World Wars and was even expanded during the Great Depression.

Points of Pride

Today, Bremerton is the largest city in Kitsap County. It has a population of over 41,000. By ferry, Bremerton residents reach Seattle within an hour to enjoy the larger city life across Puget Sound. While the military defined early Bremerton and still shapes it today, business development paved the way, specifically within the arts. The now-famous Admiral Theatre has housed some of the greatest names in music and entertainment. It sets the stage for an Art Deco-inspired downtown, complete with art galleries and Historic Roxy Theatre.

And, fun fact: music legend Quincy Jones grew up in Bremerton. The city dedicated an entire square downtown to honor his legacy as the most famous hometown artist. Hysterically, Quincy recalled his Bremerton youth on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, saying, “What happened was … we wanted to be baby gangsters and like, rule Bremerton.”

Jones on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

Bremerton also offers fabulous eateries like La Fermata, voted this year’s Best Romantic Dinner in Central Kitsap and Bremerton, and Silver City Brewery, bottling wonderful craft ales alongside gourmet pub food. Axe & Arrow Gastropub offers delicious options as well, and Chef Tabura was the winner of Food Network’s “The Great Food Truck Race” in 2013.

Wonderful Events and Outdoor Escapes

Silverdale and Bremerton are popular shopping and dining destinations with distinct features. Additionally, they offer a strong sense of community through many local organizations and events. Fun annual festivals include the Blackberry Festival, Armed Forces Day Parade, Wayzgoose Arts Festival, and Whaling Days.

These charming cities harbor many larger city conveniences yet they are surrounded by nature. Nestled beside the epic Olympic Mountains, Silverdale and Bremerton offer a variety of nature trails and parks to get away from it all. Here’s a starter pack of places to explore: Illahee State Park, Manchester State Park, Newberry Hill Heritage Park, Wildcat Lake County Park, and Old Mill Park. From functional to robust, Silverdale and Bremerton have blossomed into truly unique cities with offerings for all.

: Lions Park by Leo Phillips

: Silverdale Sunset by Leo Phillips