Outdoor Enthusiasts: Whidbey Island or Anacortes (Oak Harbor, Camano: live in, military, shop)

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by xPlorer48

For years, the Naval bade had a sign: “Pardon our noise, it is the sound of freedom”. It is no longer there.

I thought the Growlers were something new, just in the last few years, and that their decibel level hit new heights of unacceptability. There have always been jets, but not Growlers, from what I understand.

[Dendrite]

Originally Posted by mayfair

The Growlers can be heard in Anacortes and on Camano Island during training exercises- it depends on the flight path they take. They shake the ground when they go over.

They can also be heard most places on the north Oly Peninsula. We've heard them while in Port Angeles as well as in Port Townsend. We hear them frequently from our home on the Strait near Sequim.

OP: Whidbey vs. Anaco IMO it's a Coke Pepsi question. Very similar living. I'd say if you like one you will probably like the other equally as well. As mentioned above, north Whidbey has the NAS to contend with whereas Anaco has the refinery and WSF traffic.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by Dendrite

They can also be heard most places on the north Oly Peninsula. We've heard them while in Port Angeles as well as in Port Townsend. We hear them frequently from our home on the Strait near Sequim.

OP: Whidbey vs. Anaco IMO it's a Coke Pepsi question. Very similar living. I'd say if you like one you will probably like the other equally as well. As mentioned above, north Whidbey has the NAS to contend with whereas Anaco has the refinery and WSF traffic.

Camano Island has none of those issues. And some people like Stanwood, by the bridge to Camano. Worth checking out, as long as you're researching, the area, OP.

[pikabike]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

I thought the Growlers were something new, just in the last few years, and that their decibel level hit new heights of unacceptability. There have always been jets, but not Growlers, from what I understand.

The predecessors were called Prowlers. The Growlers were supposedly less noisy than the Prowlers, but some people refute this claim.

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by praysinghim

My husband and I are seriously looking at Whidbey Island, but not sure if has enough walking beach and mountain hiking. I love to be outdoors and hate to be cooped up. Lots of sunshine is a definite plus, but I am also aware of the reality of less sunnier days where we are looking. Anacortes seems a little more active. I would love your input if you also live for the outdoors. Thank you!

Wow, lots of cry-babies here!!! Not exactly what your post asked for, but, none the less... if you are a cry baby too... you should be aware that the NAS has been operational since 1942, so... if that is a problem for you... there are vast other opportunities. I grew up near a SAC base (i.e. sonic booms). Currently have F16 fly-bys, (on occasion, tho they fly everyday and can hear the takeoff). lots of military helicopter traffic.

For your desire for recreation... don't consider Island living if you have never done so. It can be VERY confining. At least you can drive off Whidbey and Anacortes area. Waiting for a ferry gets old (and expensive) very fast. If stuck on an Island... take up water recreation.

You like Mtns and a walking beach... consider BC or AK. (or Olympic Peninsula.)

[JB316]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

I thought the Growlers were something new, just in the last few years, and that their decibel level hit new heights of unacceptability. There have always been jets, but not Growlers, from what I understand.

The growlers have been there for a while, probably 10 years now. The prowlers and growlers were both there at the same time, even though the EA6B is done now. A growler is just an electronic warfare version of an F-18 Hornet.

[NW4me]

Originally Posted by JB316

The growlers have been there for a while, probably 10 years now. The prowlers and growlers were both there at the same time, even though the EA6B is done now. A growler is just an electronic warfare version of an F-18 Hornet.

Maybe there's something about growler maneuvers that amplifies the noise level,
compared to the practice runs their fighter-jet cousins do. Perhaps the growlers fly lower?

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by NW4me

Maybe there's something about growler maneuvers that amplifies the noise level,
compared to the practice runs their fighter-jet cousins do. Perhaps the growlers fly lower?

Yes, there's got to be something different about them, to raise such alarms around the area in just the last 5 years or so, and to cause people to move away from Whidbey.

[JB316]

It’s more likely the amount of flying that they are doing. That base is growing big time, and so are the number of growlers. The more fly time, the more annoying the sound of the jets will be to the local populace.

OLF Coupeville doesn’t get used all of the time, but it sounds like the low flying training going on there is getting ramped up, and that’s the issue.

This article explains the situation pretty well.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.sea...trict/%3famp=1

[mistyriver]

We didn’t have a terrible problem with the growlers when we lived in Anacortes a few years ago. It wasn’t frequent.
It was really a great place if you like to walk, hike or bicycle. Lots happening, beautiful hiking trails, great restaurants...it’s a fun little town.
I love Whidbey but Anacortes was much better for daily life for us.
We left to be closer to family but it was pretty cool living up on Cap Sante. We weren’t right on the water but had views of it. We’d see ships moving past our windows. So cool.