Outdoor Enthusiasts: Whidbey Island or Anacortes (Seattle, Vancouver: camping, living, price)

[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!

[Willamette City]

When I was kid growing up (the 60's mind you) We loved taking our boat over to Whidbey Island. We would bottom fish and also dig clams. Another Island we visited a lot was Anderson Island. I'm sure things have changed a lot in 50+ years. Sequim was a great place too which happened to be in a rain shadow, so it got more sunshine then surrounding areas.

[CrazyDonkey]

Whidbey Island:

Access via ferry (Coupeville) to Port Townsend and many Olympic National Park trails. Drive via Deception Pass Bridge to many North Cascades National Park trails.

Anacortes:

Access via ferry to San Juan Islands and Vancouver Island. Drive to many North Cascades National Park trails.

Note: It takes about 30 minutes to drive from Oak Harbor to the Anacortes Ferry Terminal. About 50 minutes from Anacortes to the Coupeville Ferry Terminal. Maybe a 20 minute difference between driving to Cascades trails from Anacortes or Oak Harbor - add 20 minutes for from Coupeville.

[Ruth4Truth]

If you're considering Whidbey Island, look into the high-decibel noise issue caused by the "Growler" jets the navy base is using. The locations closer to the base have experienced an exodus of residents, due to the noise.

And, as long as you're checking out islands, you might consider Camano Island, too. No ferry necessary to connect to the mainland.

[NW4me]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

If you're considering Whidbey Island, look into the high-decibel noise issue caused by the "Growler" jets the navy base is using. The locations closer to the base have experienced an exodus of residents, due to the noise.

And, as long as you're checking out islands, you might consider Camano Island, too. No ferry necessary to connect to the mainland.

And here's more info:

Navy maintains 36 more Whidbey Growler jets in final EIS | Islands' Sounder

There was also a more recent (December) article in the Seattle Times, but it's behind a paywall,
and the paywall-bypass trick I tried (outline.com) didn't work.

[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.

[Ruth4Truth]

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.

I've heard that from residents of Orcas Island, too. But the thing about living on Whidbey is, that you're stuck listening to them taking off and landing, doing practice take-offs, and so forth. Whidbey residents have measured the decibel levels, and said they're over the allowed level.

[rkcarguy]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

I've heard that from residents of Orcas Island, too. But the thing about living on Whidbey is, that you're stuck listening to them taking off and landing, doing practice take-offs, and so forth. Whidbey residents have measured the decibel levels, and said they're over the allowed level.

Yes, there is no escape from that. I was camping with friends in Anacortes a few years ago getting ready for a 0-dark-thirty fishing trip, and they were roaring by several times until nearly 2AM. The noise is unimaginable, like being in a train wreck. But it's the price of our freedom.

[xPlorer48]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

If you're considering Whidbey Island, look into the high-decibel noise issue caused by the "Growler" jets the navy base is using. The locations closer to the base have experienced an exodus of residents, due to the noise.

And, as long as you're checking out islands, you might consider Camano Island, too. No ferry necessary to connect to the mainland.

My grandparents had waterfront property near Coupeville from 1962-1989. The jet noise started during the Viet Nam war and hadn’t quit. My cousins nearby there now and they say it is unbearable at times. It may be less on the south part of the island.

[xPlorer48]

Originally Posted by rkcarguy

Yes, there is no escape from that. I was camping with friends in Anacortes a few years ago getting ready for a 0-dark-thirty fishing trip, and they were roaring by several times until nearly 2AM. The noise is unimaginable, like being in a train wreck. But it's the price of our freedom.

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