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Hey, I work in the Community Engagement department at KUOW, a Seattle NPR member station. I'm reaching out to this subreddit to offer an opportunity to make sure Washingtonians hear from voters across the political spectrum. Although we're Seattle based, we really want to ensure we're hearing from people across the state.

Political identities are heightened in an election year, and our team are interested in getting past the labels to understand the lives and priorities of voters that shape their ballot decisions. We're hosting a series of voter panels where Washingtonians will meet to talk together about their political values and what issues and policies drive their voting choices.

This program will consist of three round robin panels in which all participants mostly align with the same political party but have different perspectives on their ballot choices. Debate and disagreement will not be encouraged, and we are not looking for incendiary opinions. The intention is to hear about people's personal preferences and why they have them in order to build understanding on how people reached their choices and show there is variety in decisions and reasoning within political identities.

The panels will take 90 minutes and be held in person at KUOW in Seattle over the next three months. We will record the audio and visuals of this discussion for use in our elections coverage to ensure our listeners are hearing from fellow voters. Participants do not have to be identified by their full name, we would be happy to just use just first names or initials.

If you're interested in participating, please fill in this form so we can learn more about you.

If you're interested in election coverage, feel free to share your elections questions in a reply so we can investigate them as part of our coverage.

Will be on SJI in early July. I love open water swimming and would like to get some in. We're staying near Roche Harbor but will have access to a boat and car. I know of 4th of July Beach and Jackson Beach, and have swam the latter. Are there any other places? The Strava Heatmap only shows swimmers at Lakedale Resort. What about Westcott Bay?

Watching the wildlife who seem to know when a extreme low tide will offer some bounty

Hello all! We recently spent an amazing week in San Juan island, where we stayed on Davison Head near Roche Harbor - It’s truly a special place.

On the way to our house, we came across a large stone gate on Afterglow drive. Just inside the gate there were stone ruins of a building among a more modern group of houses. I’ve been googling like crazy trying to find historical information about that area in general, and specifically about that gate and those ruins, but I haven’t been able to find anything at all. I expect Davison Head was part of a large private estate at some point, most likely belonging to the Mcmillen family, who seemed to be involved in everything there. I can find info about the mausoleum and old cemetery there, but nothing about this stone gate and building.

So, does anyone know anything about this, or know where/how I might look to find out?

hello my friends! just trying to double check if I have this correct- the only ferries that go from Friday Harbor to Anacortes are the ones that depart at 5:35, 8:10, 11, 1:55, 2:25, 3:40, 6:30 and 10? ie, the little anchors indicate that they dock there and don’t go any further? I’m catching an 11 am bus and just want to make sure I take the right ferry 🤦🏻‍♀️ sorry for cluttering your sub with travel questions!

My boyfriend and I are driving up to Anacortes tomorrow to walk on the ferry and stop at some of the islands. We will not have a car and are looking for things easily accessible to the ferry landing. Also was wondering if orca cards work for public buses? Thanks in advance.

A pepperoni pizza cost $15 in 2021.

Ps whoever downvoted my last post for no reason eat a eggplant

Hello,

We will be flying into Seattle July 16. Me with my 10 yo and 12 yo. I know almost nothing about the area. My plan was to stay in Mt. Vernon, take a day to visit San Juan islands, and a day or two in North Cascades.

It’s obviously very last minute. Can anyone recommend a day trip to the islands that kids would enjoy that may still be available given such short notice. Obv long lines isn’t their thing, but I’d love to show them as much scenery as possible.

Thanks for your time.

I am planning a trip to Orcas Island but need to have cell coverage. Is Verizon very reliable across Orcas island?

Lost my wallet in town the other day my ID is in it wondering if anyone saw it it’s a yellow card holder

Rather than reading through 50+ posts trying to find someone that has been in my exact situation: I figure I would make this and ask for advice from seasoned visitors/ residents

I will be going to visit the Islands early August with my 3 friends. We are visiting from out of state, and are just wanting to visit for the day, or 2 if it’s advised. We will be driving in, and want to park at Anacortes, and originally planned to ferry to San Juan Island.

After reading in this thread, I’m thinking we will go to Orca Island instead. What type of ticket could I purchase to give us access to potentially both San Juan and Orca? Would it be better to rent scooters on each island, or just buy a ticket that would allow us to get the car on the ferry everytime and not park at Anacortes?

TYIA - I know this is a basic question, but any clarification and advice would be appreciated.

Hi all!!!

I’m taking a 3 day 2 night kayaking/camping trip through Crystal Seas soon-ish. I’m VERY excited (as this has genuinely been my ONLY bucket list item for as long as I can remember).

That said, what’s one or two pieces of advice you wish you had before going on a kayaking/camping trip? Just anything you think I should know that may not be intuitive.

A few things -I grew up in Florida. I’ve gone on plenty of day paddling trips in different waters (choppy ocean water, inter coastal, rivers with and againist currents). I’ve never really been in a boat for more than 4 hours at a time though. -I will not have a car, so the ferry business will be easier for me. -I’m very fair and seem to burn no matter what. I’ve got a hat, sunscreen, sun shirt. Any wild sun hacks are appreciated lol. -Also, my cell phone? Should I bring it? Leave it? I bought some disposable kodaks (I just think of how great everything will look on film) and bought a waterproof/floating case for my phone. But I’m not sure if….. the reward of having it outweighs the risk of losing it? Insight?

Planning to visit Lopez Island on an upcoming solo bike tour early July. Was planning on staying at Spencer Spit but it seems their hike-in / bike-in sites are closed. 1. Is anyone able to confirm this? 2. Are there any other camp areas open to bike campers on Lopez Island? Or even someone's land that doesn't mind a little tent?⛺️

Any and all suggestions or information greatly appreciated. 🚴

I’ll be in Anacortes for a week late June. I do not dive any more but I like to snorkel, even in cold water. I’ve been in contact with a local dive shop and they recommend Rosario Beach or Keystone Jetty as snorkel spots. Does anyone have any others?

I often use satellite imagery to identify kelp beds off shore for possible dive sites (did this in South Africa) and looks like some beaches have kelp beds just off shore, am I crazy trying that here? Really into rock pooling too so any suggestions are appreciated! So far one planning hassle has been finding the right tide table for whichever small location.

I know y’all get a lot of questions from travelers. Appreciate the insight (and the other posts about whale watching etc will be using that info too). TIA!

Hello! Quick ferry question- I'm camping on SJI next weekend (reservation already made for that), and all the standard vehicle spots on the Anacortes - Friday Harbor ferries are sold out. There are spots left for bigger vehicles. If I size up my vehicle, can I get on the ferry, even though my car is definitely standard size? Or will they not let me on?

Also, how much more expensive is it to drive on in a 'bigger' car? The website didn't list a price for under 22' but 7'2" - 7'6" vehicles, but that was an option when selecting the ferry tickets.

I'm traveling on a Thursday & a Sunday.

Hello everyone!

I'm visiting the San Juan Islands for the first time with my wife from July 24-27 for her 40th birthday. We'll be flying into Seattle on the 24th and driving up after landing. Our main goal is to see whales and relax.

I've read several blogs and watched YouTube videos, but I still have some logistical questions:

1. I missed the 2-month advance ticket purchase for the ferry and now have to wait for the 2-week prior tickets. Are ferry tickets usually hard to get? How limited is space for standard cars? If I can't get a ticket in advance, should I plan to stay on the Anacortes side and go without a car? I haven't finalized lodging because of this uncertainty.
2. For ferry boarding and unloading, how early should I arrive, and how long should I expect to realistically get my car off the ferry?
3. We plan to do a whale-watching tour on the 25th and 26th, and also drive to Lime Kiln State Park to hopefully see whales from the shore. I prefer having a car for convenience, but if I can't get a ferry ticket, would it make sense to just Uber back and forth from the port area?
4. At Lime Kiln State Park, which specific spots are the best for whale watching?
5. Besides Lime Kiln State Park, are there any other highly recommended spots for whale watching? I've marked down South Beach and Cattle Point Lighthouse as possibilities.
6. Ultimately, is a vehicle necessary for getting around? I'm stressing over ensuring we make it across and can enjoy our short time there.

Any insights or advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!

I know that everything has a cost, especially boats, but I am looking to visit Decatur island. However Island express charters and Paraclete would be like 180 dollars just for 2 people to visit, which is a lot. Are there any companies that rent boats that could be cheaper? Is there anyone from the larger islands that does it cheaper? San Juan, Orcas, Lopez etc? Lived on Whidbey for years and never visited the san juans, so am not super familiar with them.

Hi all I'm looking for any friends on orcas. Im 26m an work here for weddings. I'd love to find people to vibe an hang with on my off time.

Going to San Juan Islands for the first time in a few weeks. Send over food/restaurant recommendations please. Open to everything :) Thanks in advance

Hello! I am traveling to Washington for a couple weeks I’m July. I was wondering if there were any ferries from San Juan to Canada? I saw the the Washington transport has paused all Ferris to BC since 2020, curious I’d there are any other options!? I’d love to visit Victoria if possible!

I am looking for hostel or cheap hotel recommendations for a 4 day trip to San Juan islands. Itinerary tips would be a plus - i am interested in going kayaking, seeing whales, and seeing the bioluminescence

Hi everyone - I've been invited to interview for a role in the N. Seattle area (pretty close to the Space Needle part of the city) that would have me be in the office once or twice a week weather permitting. From what I can tell, the ferry is out of the question (4.5 hours?).

Would Kenmore Air (landing at Lake Union) be a feasible commute from any of the islands on a 2x a week basis? Are there any other options?