The Inn at Penn Cove

2010-08-10T09:39:00.000-07:00

August in Central Whidbey

2010-08-10T08:46:00.000-07:00

This weekend is when the greatest number of visitors come to Central Whidbey Island. The Coupeville Arts & Crafts Festival is a large draw with so much to experience, and mid-August is the traditional time of year for vacation visitors. Downtown Coupeville has a new restaurant, Front Street Grill. The views of Penn Cove from inside the new restaurant, are stunning, and Front Street Grill boasts a strong wine list and excellent food, using local farm-grown produce and Whidbey Island sources of meat.

But let's not forget the connection to Port Townsend. You can park near the ferry terminal and walk right on to the ferry without a reservation. And in September, the Pt. Townsend to Coupeville (Keystone) route will have a new ferry, the Chetzemoka.

Come to Central Whidbey and enjoy the best of Coupeville, and Port Townsend!

2009-11-13T21:34:00.000-08:00

November is quiet, the pacing is slow, but the weather can be stormy. Today I walked around Fort Casey; the seas were heaving and the wind was fierce, steady, and intimidating.

2009-09-15T15:37:00.000-07:00

Coupeville, as a Hub

2008-12-29T10:37:00.000-08:00

When I first moved here in 1988, I quickly realized that Whidbey Island was a great base for exploring Western Washington. If you stick a push-pin into Coupeville and tie some string to it, you can swing the string in any direction for interesting trips.

Head north into Oak Harbor and Anacortes. From there head east towards Edison, Bow, La Conner, and eventually to Mt. Vernon and Burlington. Or, leave Coupeville and head west to the Keystone landing and catch the ferry to Port Townsend and all of the Olympic Peninsula. Go south from Port Townsend and follow the Hood Canal down to Shelton and Olympia.

There are no limits to the types of trips and adventures you can construct, based on your choice of direction. Many of these excursions are easy driving in a day, especially if you rise early and beat the crowds. Mild winters allow for outdoor activities with minimal discomfort.

A great website that provides amazing amounts of information concerning Whidbey and Camano Islands, is: the official Whidbey and Camano Islands website: http://www.whidbeycamanoislands.com/

And a fabulous place to stay is the Inn at Penn Cove -- a quiet retreat close to everything!