Michele

Tag: Seattle

Puget Sound

by on May.22, 2013, under 2013, Travel

Port Orchard, Washington

puget sound, Kitsap County, Michele Cosper, boats, sail boats, Port Orchard, Washington Port Orchard, Washington Michele Cosper

Port Orchard Washington, Puget Sound, Island

Howe Park, Port Orchard, Washington, Michele Cosper

Trails, camping, waterfront and pollution. Port Orchard is a beautiful place, but industry and ignorance is destroying the marine life. I grew up in the outskirts of Port Orchard, on Glenwood Road, away from the marina. I used to walk in the woods and sing to myself. I was 22 when I left for Las Vegas and I would return every year for a visit. In the end of 2012, Dutch and I decided to live in Port Orchard for a time. October is a cold month, and we had plenty of rainy days, but there is nothing like the life which encompasses you everywhere in Port Orchard. My dog, June loves it here. She has a particular fondness of the trees in our front yard. Every morning when I let June out, she jumps into the yard and hops in the trees.

After the winter months, the Puget Sound is exhilarating. But I would not dare to fish or swim. Over the past 30 years there has been a decline in forage fish, salmon, bottom fish,  porpoises, orcas and other aquatic life indigenous to the area.

What’s happened?

Progress. Industry. Lack of awareness.
Port Orchard, Washington, Oil Spill Response, Puget Sound14 million pounds of toxic chemicals enter the Puget Sound waters every year. I don’t know about you, but I want to be able to fish and dig up clam without worrying about the toxins entering my body.

It is not entirely industries fault. We need to take responsibility for the pollution we add to the environment by learning how to manage waste products.

More than 60% of water pollution comes from things like cars leaking oil, fertilizers, pesticides, failing septic tanks, pet waste and fuel spill from boats.

Chemical or synthetic fertilizer can wash into storm drains when it rains resulting in high levels of phosphorous and ammonia in our creeks, streams and lakes. The oil leaking from your car and the dog waste you decided not to clean up, also becomes washed into the local water ways which eventually flow to the Puget Sound.

Lawn Care

High level of phosphorous and ammonia can cause dead zones, algae blooms, and harm marine life. 

My brother, Richard has one of the most well groomed yards in Port Orchard. Every sunny day he is off work, he is riding lawn mower or tending his garden. Taking care of a yard as big as the one he has, is a passion. He is constantly learning about better ways to maintain his yard organically.

The first step in having a natural yard is to build a healthy soil. Use compost, mulch and apply organic fertilizers. Know which plants are right for your area. Water you yard smart and learn about pesticide alternative. Learn more about your lawn.

Howe Dog Park, Port Orchard Washington Port Orchard, Washington, Puget Sound, boats, Sail

Howe Dog Park, June, Dog, Port Orchard, WashintonThe Problem with Poop.

The first month Dutch and I moved into our new home we were greeting by several curious neighbors, some baring gifts from their recent harvest since it was October. One morning while I let June out into the yard to do her daily jump a neighbor with her two dogs and boyfriend came wandering over. One of the dogs was huge while the other about the size of my own dog. We indulged in small talk as the larger of the two dogs took a gigantic shit. I acted as though it wasn’t happening as the young lady held the leash and continued speaking of her current employment at the local Goodwill. I smiled and watched as her own boyfriend was edging up the hill with the smaller dog to leave.  Not only did she not pick up her dog’s defecation, the boyfriend had no interest in being at all chivalrous. In my front yard, right by the storm drain, they left the biggest monstrosity of doggie-doo-doo I had ever seen. Sigh. Needless to say, my courageous boyfriend took on the amazing feat and vanquished the mess.

I am shocked at the lack of courtesy some people have.

Port Orchard, Washington, Howe Dog Park, Poop, shih-poo

200 tons of pet waste is deposited in the Puget Sound EVERY DAY. Even when you leave it in your yard you still have raw sewage and bacteria entering the storm drains.  Did you know the as the poop ages in your yard, parasites become more infectious?  Not only are you helping the environment when you dispose of pet waste properly, but you are also keeping you and your pet healthy.

Protect the Puget Sound from pollution. Pollution from storm drain does not get treated. Don’t wash your car in the street, wash on grass and gravel or better yet, take your car to a car wash. Fix all your car’s leaks. Throw all of your garbage properly. Recycle all you can.

Unfortunately, pollution isn’t synonymous with the Puget Sound. Our oceans are being killed everyday. The next time you can do a little something to help the environment by practicing smart habits.Seattle, Washington, FerryPort Orchard, Washington, Sail boats Seattle, Bremerton, Washington, Ferry

 

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Port Orchard

by on Oct.05, 2010, under 2010, Travel

September 20th 2010

3 am was the start of our two day drive to Port Orchard, Washington. I packed too much for the trip, but I still managed to fit my 2 year old shipoo in front with me. June Bug, my shipoo was really frighten of the moving car. I had done my best during the past week to get her ready for this trip driving her to Starbucks’s and back. Ready or not we set off to Washington.

We traveled up the 101 toward the California and Oregon coast. When we finally reached California, I loved how the desert hills turn into the golden plains. Living in Las Vegas for almost ten years now, one forgets life beyond the desert.

The first night we planned to camp at Red Wood National Park. Map Quest had us traveling longer then the estimated time. We finally settled at a camp site an hour away from Red Wood.

In California filling up on gas, this was the view across the street

June got to stretch her legs and we quickly set up camp. It was 8 o’clock when we got to bed and we slept until 7 in the morning. Well rested, we continued our way through California.

The first time we had gone camping we lacked an air mattress, this time we were well prepared.

I love the  California mountains. I felt as if I was home.  My family used to drive through the mountains to pick black berries and aluminum cans.

It was really cold

The California coast is so beautiful! Dutch wanted to stop at one of the shoreline beaches to stick his feet in the freezing water. It was June first ocean experience. I thought I was going to lose her in the ocean. She chases a seagull into the water missing the first wave, but then almost got sucked in by the next. I ran to her like it was my life being taken away. June showed no fear. Heart pounding, barely breathing I fetched my June up rescuing her.

June right before she runs into the ocean after a seagull

Before we hit the coast we were in the mountains. We stopped during our decent to take this picture.

Into Oregon

There is no sales tax. I thought I would have enjoyed Oregon a lot more. It was a strange place. You can’t pump your gas and you can’t tip the gas attendant. Apparently  it is against the law to pump your own gas…

Yes it says Population 10,910

We got into to town late. The next day we took  my mom dad and sister to the Light House restaurant. My mom was dress pretty in a silver turtle neck. Cindy, my little sister looked wonderful. I had not really seen her in a long time. We are distance my sister and I, it is awkward for me to talk to her. I feel as though I am the one always trying to make polite conversations. I  love my sister, I just do not understand her. My mother is a delightful when she wants to be. My mom, Lisa hasn’t had the opportunity to experience the little things I take for granted, like going to a nice dinner. It can be a nightmare eating with her because she can be difficult, but its okay I understand. My Daddy, David is a passive easy going joker. My mom ended up not ordering anything and picking off of all of our plates :). We ate outside and enjoyed the view. Cindy saved us all and killed a bee.

After dinner at the Port Orchard Pier

I just love this picture

The last time I visited my brother was for my 29th birthday in 2009.  Aubree has grown so much since then. Her personality is really shining through!  Richard and Kelli are as happy as ever in their new home. Their home is truly a castle. A dream come true! I have to admit I am a little envious but mostly very proud of them.

Richard has two houses on his property. One used to be a garage, but was converted to a “mother-in-law” dwelling.  There is an old horse stable, another shed and a garden complete with corn and squash growing.

The main house

The “mother-in-law” dwelling

Garden

Dutch and I caught up with the family and met their brand new addition, Molly a dachshund shih tzu mix filled with lots of licks. I have never seen a happier puppy. June was a little jealous but got over it. They were soon chasing each other around the yard. Later on we stopped at Hi-Joy to check out the poker game. 7 card stud high-low roll your own, was the game being played. Dutch waited for a seat and played until he lost his 50 dollar buy-in. It was my fault, I gave him a time limit because I was exhausted. I didn’t play, I watched the folks and listened to their stories of how they got into poker. No one recognized Dutch, which was good, but everyone thought he must have been a noob since he wasn’t local. He is a two time World of Series of Poker Champion and has come in 3rd in stud high-low WSOP 2007   against Scotty Nguyen and Eli Elezra AND 4th place last year in the stud high-low mixed WSOP against Phil Ivey and Carlos Mortensen. He is really good. I have seen him play amazing poker. I think it is funny because one of the guys was trying to give him advice… we understand the guy was trying to be nice.  Que Sera, Sera we had fun and everyone at the game was really nice.

Hi-Joy Poker Room

Thursday the 24th after Miss Aubree Mai finished school we took her to the Port Orchard Pizza factory. Then we ventured off into the Goodwill and I found out Aubree does not like Hanna Montanan… I tried to buy her a purple guitar with  Miley Cyrus pictured on it but she rejected the idea real quick. I did find some treasure! Two packages of 1979-1980 first cover stamps! Just recently I rekindled my love for stamps collecting. Most of the stamps are worth a few bucks on ebay.

Pizza Factory Port Orchard, WA

Breakfast at the House of Pancakes before we hit the road to get to the Puyallup Fair

Don’t be late to do the Puyallup!

I woke up Bree at 7:30 and we were out of the house by 8 am. Hungry we decided to eat at the Pancake house across the street from Hi-joy bowling alley. I  ate too much and got sick. I was really thinking about the irony of it all as I was throwing up in the Pancake house bathroom. I wasn’t going to ruin my niece’s day at the fair. I managed to get back to our table and I was shocked at how ill I had become. I had never gotten sick from just eating… but then again I was eating fast. No matter we still headed out. We crossed the Tacoma Toll bridge and was on our way. Parking was 12 dollars. I walked off my sickness and was ready to go on some rides! Until… we calculated the cost of it all. Tickets were 75 cents each and rides were 6 tickets a ride. I wanted Aubree to have a good time so Dutch and I decide to ride one with her and give the rest of the tickets to her. We decide to ride the haunted house. Which was a HUGE mistake. 18 tickets later we looked at each other and laughed. The ride was so bad and short that we couldn’t do anything but laugh. We wanted to stand in front of the haunted house ride and take pictures of people’s disappointed faces as they were coming out of the ride.  Even the guy who ran the ride couldn’t look us in the eyes as we gave him our tickets. It was so bad! I felt hustled. In such disbelief of how bad the ride was I punished myself and swore I would not ride another ride at the Puyallup Fair. Aubree was a good sport though. She spent the rest of the tickets on some really cool rides.

They are waiting for me

Thank goodness the rides aren’t the only things to do. As the day got later the fair got packed. This was the last weekend of the Puyallup fair so it was expected. I found a great place to get scones and that made my day worth it. After our snack we walked around to see as many animals as we could. I wanted to get my monies worth! Poor Aubree… I told her a bunch of times to wear comfortable shoes.  I wore my hiking boots so I felt zero walking pain. I could see it in Aubree’s face, she was in pain but didn’t want to say anything. We found a spot which sold lamb skin fluffy shoes and got her a pair.


Sunday

Port Orchard, Washington has the BEST dog park on Long Lake Drive! My niece took me, June and Molly to a wonderful dog park. Las Vegas has only a fenced in area where the dogs run around in. Port Orchard’s park is a huge area complete with trails in the woods! It is fenced in, and there is plenty of space. I was so impressed by it I made Dutch go with us again a few days later. From Mile Hill take a right on Long Lake Drive and it is the second road on the left. Easy to find. There is a membership of ten dollars. You do not have to join. The membership is to help maintain the park. If I lived it Port Orchard I would be a member for sure! Sure a wonderful place for puppies to play. There is not a separate area for big dogs and small dogs. It is an open area for all dogs. There are doggy bags spread out all over the park, but the bags are very thin… Be careful when picking up after your pup!

Long Lake Dog Park

Monday… The plan was to get up early and go to Seattle.

Port Orchard from the Foot Ferry

Eating lunch at Anthony’s

I do not remember what time we ended up getting up but it was later then I had wanted. I wanted to see my cousin who lives in Seattle. We took the Port Orchard foot ferry to Bremerton when I realized I had forgotten my phone. I will have to meet up with my relatives some other time. I was sad, but I also wanted to show Dutch around so it worked out. We rode the ferry from Bremerton to Seattle and got some great pictures. We decided to go to the EMP and SFM and found out they only stayed open until 5pm. We made it to the museum with an hour and a half to go through everything. We rushed but we got ‘er done. My idea was to walk to the EMP from the ferry terminal we got to about 5th street before we took the monorail. THANK GOODNESS. It would have taken us an hour to walk! My memory of Seattle isn’t what it used to be.

Seattle Ferry

Experience Music Project and Science Fiction Museum (EMP/SFM)

Cost $15 each and it get into both the music and Science fiction parts of the museum. We went through the Music experience first, played some music and looked at all of the instruments. The Science Fiction was a lot cooler in my opinion. I love SciFi.

The tree is from the movie “The fountain”

Dinner on the Docks

My dinner

I wanted French, Dutch wanted a view. The Fisherman’s restaurant is were we ended up and I was pleasantly surprised. We ate the local food and watched the sunset. The Seattle weather was prefect. I thought it was going to rain, but instead it was a hot and humid. We finished up dinner then caught the ferry back the Bremerton in time to catch the last foot ferry to Port Orchard for the evening. Lucky…

Looking out of the foot ferry

Dutch, June, Me, Aubree, Richard and Kelli

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