Whidbey Island and Coupeville
As so often happens when it comes to history which is taught in western civilizations, the local population is overlooked and minimized. Whidbey Island is no exception.
Whidbey Island is credited with its discovery in 1790 by the Spanish expedition of Manuel Quimper and Gonzalo López de Haro on the Princesa Real. Captain George Vancouver fully explored the island in 1792. In May of that year, Royal Navy officers and members of Vancouver’s expedition, Joseph Whidbey (master of HMS Discovery) and Peter Puget (a lieutenant on the ship) began to map and explore the areas of what would later be named Puget Sound. After Whidbey circumnavigated the island in June 1792, Vancouver named the island in his honor. By that time, Vancouver had claimed the area for Britain.
Of course, the island had long been inhabited by the local Native American Tribes of the Lower Skagit, Swinomish, Suquamish, and Snohomish. These were peaceful groups who lived off the sea and land, with fishing, harvesting nuts, berries and roots, which they preserved over the winter.
Our particular invasion began when we rolled our RAD Power bikes up the gangway of the M/V Kennewick and onto the island. It was a beautiful sunny day despite the morning forecast for rain. Just one of those flukes of the microclimates that are prevalent n the Pacific Northwest.
We turned our bikes north and started peddling our way through the open fields and pastures toward Coupeville, a small community on the south shore of Penn Cove. After short peddle we found a place on the waterfront to lock our bikes and explore some of the shops that border the cove.
This historic downtown is small but full of boutique shops and restaurants. This community was originally settled in the 1850’ by sea captains and farmers. Coupeville was named for sea captain Thomas Coupe, who arrived on Puget Sound on the bark Success. Scouting the area, Coupe settled at Penn Cove in 1852. His wife, Maria, and their family joined him there in 1853 and Captain Coupe worked as a coastal trader, sailing both the Success and the Jeff Davis, the first revenue cutter on Puget Sound (part of the armed maritime law enforcement service).
It’s a place where you can still see many of the historic homes and buildings and well worth the visit. We thoroughly enjoyed our explorations by bike.
timber tracking
The Timber Tracking Project, was originally all set to go forward this spring, but we all know what happened instead; collecting was suspended due to the COVID-19 crisis. However, permits have been cleared for this summer and we’ll be out sampling practicing the best kind of social distancing. Now it’s all about looking at topo maps and choosing collection zones. Follow our updates from the field on twitter.
Chief Chetzemoka
I’ve been coming to Fort Worden State Park for just about as long as I’ve lived here in the PNW. And I’ve noticed the old dinghy placed on the dunes opposite the lower campground as well, but it wasn’t until this trip that I took the time to actually look up the unusual name painted across the bow. This really is a case where history can be hidden right under your nose!
Turns out the boat is named for a local S’Klallam Chief. He was forty years old when the first white settlers arrived at Port Townsend. The Superintendent of Indian Affairs recognized Chetzemoka as chief of the S’Klallam in 1854, holding him responsible for the “good behavior” of his people. At Point No Point, in 1855, Chief Chetzemoka signed a treaty giving up all S’Klallam land in exchange for retaining the right to fish, hunt and gather in the S’Klallam usual and accustomed areas. Such treaties, pushed by Governor Isaac Stevens and largely misunderstood by the Indians, provoked the Indian Wars in 1855-56.
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Went riding on the Whitehorse trail today. Beautiful scenery between Darrington and Oso. ⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #explore #hike #cascadiaexplored #pnwonderland #northcascadesnationalpark #pnwcollective #seattle #pnwdiscovered #diablolake #hiking #optoutside #nature #naturephotography #cascades #travel #washington #adventure #pacificnorthwest #washingtonexplored #washingtonstate #explorewashington #thatpnwlife #upperleftusa #pnw #pnwadventures #mountains #pnwlife #nationalpark #wanderlust #backpacking
Good day of exploring. Found some waterfalls and an incredible historic fire watch tower. More photos to follow. ⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #explore #hike #cascadiaexplored #pnwonderland #northcascadesnationalpark #pnwcollective #seattle #pnwdiscovered #diablolake #hiking #optoutside #nature #naturephotography #cascades #travel #washington #adventure #pacificnorthwest #washingtonexplored #washingtonstate #explorewashington #thatpnwlife #upperleftusa #pnw #pnwadventures #mountains #pnwlife #nationalpark #wanderlust #backpacking
Basecamp for the next 4 days while we explore the North Cascades. We’re just outside Oso Washington. ⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #karanjohar #pnwisbest #pnwlife #nature #tiktok #columbiarivergorge #cascadiaexplored #funnyshit #optoutside #naturephotography #bendoregon #hiking #pnwonderland #oregon #outdoors #explore #thatpnwlife #pnwwonderland #washington #mountains #pacnw #pacificnw #upperleftusa #pacificnorthwest #washingtonstate #oregoncoast #centraloregon #seattle #camping #pnwcollective
South Puget Sound on a summers day. Headed to Anderson Island with our Rad bikes today. ⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #karanjohar #pnwisbest #pnwlife #nature #tiktok #columbiarivergorge #cascadiaexplored #funnyshit #optoutside #naturephotography #bendoregon #hiking #pnwonderland #oregon #outdoors #explore #thatpnwlife #pnwwonderland #washington #mountains #pacnw #pacificnw #upperleftusa #pacificnorthwest #washingtonstate #oregoncoast #centraloregon #andersonisland #camping #pnwcollective
Looking forward to heading out to the north cascade mountain range soon. I've only once made a trip into that area and I don't have much experience up there. If anyone has any 'must-see' suggestions would love to hear them. ⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #pnwonderland #pnw #thenwadventure #upperleftusa #pnwdiscovered #cascadiaexplored #pnwparadise #optoutside #wildernessculture #wanderwashington #pacificnorthwest #pnwlife #nature #keepitwild #pnwphotographer #lifeofadventure #exploretocreate #beautifuldestinations #hikingadventures #wanderlust #thatpnwlife #explorewashington #roamtheplanet #thegreatpnw #photooftheday #washingtonexplored @washingtondiscovered @nextstop24 #nextstop24traveler #northcascades
With everything turned upside down it’s nice to have a beach to relax on and let the waves carry your worries away. ⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #karanjohar #pnwisbest #pnwlife #nature #tiktok #columbiarivergorge #cascadiaexplored #funnyshit #optoutside #naturephotography #bendoregon #hiking #pnwonderland #oregon #outdoors #explore #thatpnwlife #pnwwonderland #washington #mountains #pacnw #pacificnw #upperleftusa #pacificnorthwest #washingtonstate #oregoncoast #centraloregon #seattle #camping #pnwcollective
Felt good to be out in the field doing our #COASST beached bird survey again. We couldn’t have asked for a better day to resume our fieldwork. ⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #findyourpark #purewyoming #sunset_madness #sunsets #sky #northcascades #sunset_ig #sunriseporn #sunsethunter #sunset_stream #landscape #rockymountains #ig #sky_captures #landscapephotography #dontgochasingwaterfalls #peakbagging #pnw #sunrises #wanderwashington #sunrise #mtrainier #ig_sunset #sunset_vision #sunrise_pics #olympicnationalpark #oregonstateparks #explorewashington #nature
Theresa making her way out to Ketron Island. It has been a while since we pulled the kayaks out but this seemed the best way to social distance.⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #pnwonderland #pnw #thenwadventure #upperleftusa #pnwdiscovered #cascadiaexplored #pnwparadise #optoutside #wildernessculture #wanderwashington #pacificnorthwest #pnwlife #nature #keepitwild #pnwphotographer #lifeofadventure #exploretocreate #beautifuldestinations #hikingadventures #wanderlust #thatpnwlife #explorewashington #roamtheplanet #thegreatpnw #photooftheday #washingtonexplored @washingtondiscovered @nextstop24 #nextstop24traveler #WildOlympics #wastateparks
Finally got the kayaks down, cleaned up and out on the water today. Here’s an old State Ferry someone bought and towed to Ketron Island. ⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #karanjohar #pnwisbest #pnwlife #nature #tiktok #columbiarivergorge #cascadiaexplored #funnyshit #optoutside #naturephotography #bendoregon #hiking #pnwonderland #oregon #outdoors #explore #thatpnwlife #pnwwonderland #washington #mountains #pacnw #pacificnw #upperleftusa #pacificnorthwest #washingtonstate #oregoncoast #centraloregon #seattle #camping #pnwcollective
The historic High Rock tower with Mt. Rainier in the background. It's a bit of a climb but well worth the effort. ⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #pnwonderland #pnw #thenwadventure #upperleftusa #pnwdiscovered #cascadiaexplored #pnwparadise #optoutside #wildernessculture #wanderwashington #pacificnorthwest #pnwlife #nature #keepitwild #pnwphotographer #lifeofadventure #exploretocreate #beautifuldestinations #hikingadventures #wanderlust #thatpnwlife #explorewashington #roamtheplanet #thegreatpnw #photooftheday #washingtonexplored @washingtondiscovered @nextstop24 #nextstop24traveler
Looking across Alder Lake from the trail leading through Elbe Hills State Forest. ⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #pdx #thatpnwlife #pnwcollective #explore #pnw #pnwdiscovered #cascadiaexplored #nature #bestoforegon #oregonexplored #seattle #photography #pacificnorthwest #optoutside #oregon #travel #hiking #portland #neverstopexploring #upperleftusa #wildernessculture #naturephotography #washingtonstate #pnwonderland #washington #adventure #pnwlife #wanderlust #getoutside #northwestisbest
The view from Paradise Inn at Mt. Rainier National Park. ⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #findyourpark #purewyoming #sunset_madness #sunsets #sky #northcascades #sunset_ig #sunriseporn #sunsethunter #sunset_stream #landscape #rockymountains #ig #sky_captures #landscapephotography #dontgochasingwaterfalls #peakbagging #pnw #sunrises #wanderwashington #sunrise #mtrainier #ig_sunset #sunset_vision #sunrise_pics #olympicnationalpark #oregonstateparks #explorewashington #nature #sunset
Here’s a close up of this wonderful step waterfall we found just outside of Mt. Rainier National Park over the weekend. ⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #karanjohar #pnwisbest #pnwlife #nature #tiktok #columbiarivergorge #cascadiaexplored #funnyshit #optoutside #naturephotography #bendoregon #hiking #pnwonderland #oregon #outdoors #explore #thatpnwlife #pnwwonderland #washington #mountains #pacnw #pacificnw #upperleftusa #pacificnorthwest #washingtonstate #oregoncoast #centraloregon #seattle #camping #pnwcollective
Found this beautiful creek on a logging road just outside of Mt. Rainier National Park yesterday. Heading back to do a bit more exploring today. ⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #karanjohar #pnwisbest #pnwlife #nature #tiktok #columbiarivergorge #cascadiaexplored #funnyshit #optoutside #naturephotography #bendoregon #hiking #pnwonderland #oregon #outdoors #explore #thatpnwlife #pnwwonderland #washington #mountains #pacnw #pacificnw #upperleftusa #pacificnorthwest #washingtonstate #oregoncoast #centraloregon #seattle #camping #pnwcollective
Sunrise over Mt. Rainier seen from Blake Island. We’ll be heading to the park this weekend to see how things are faring with its recent closure. ⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #findyourpark #purewyoming #sunset_madness #sunsets #sky #northcascades #sunset_ig #sunriseporn #sunsethunter #sunset_stream #landscape #rockymountains #ig #sky_captures #landscapephotography #dontgochasingwaterfalls #peakbagging #pnw #sunrises #wanderwashington #sunrise #mtrainier #ig_sunset #sunset_vision #sunrise_pics #olympicnationalpark #oregonstateparks #explorewashington #nature #sunset
Theresa taking a moment to enjoy the sunset over Deception Pass.⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #pnwonderland #pnw #thenwadventure #upperleftusa #pnwdiscovered #cascadiaexplored #pnwparadise #optoutside #wildernessculture #wanderwashington #pacificnorthwest #pnwlife #nature #keepitwild #pnwphotographer #lifeofadventure #exploretocreate #beautifuldestinations #hikingadventures #wanderlust #thatpnwlife #explorewashington #roamtheplanet #thegreatpnw #photooftheday #washingtonexplored @washingtondiscovered @nextstop24 #nextstop24travele
During these wars, a number of S’Klallam held a secret meeting to decide whether or not to kill the whites in Port Townsend. The S’Klallam deliberated for nine days, during which Chetzemoka sent a daily signal of “danger.” On the tenth day, the message from Signal Rock was, in essence, “danger is passed.” The S’Klallam had given up their purpose. Chetzemoka was considered a hero by the white population and from that point on was immortalized by them.
Ferries, parks, streets, and benches now bear his name….and a weather-worn dinghy on the beach of Point Wilson.
