NORTH KITSAP By RICHARD WALKER rwalker@soundpublishing.com
If one word was needed to describe North Kitsap, it would be this: Experiences. As you visit here, think of a personal adventure. You can likely do it here: Explore the local coastline by kayak. Chill out at a local beach. Hike a forest trail. Learn about local lifeways over the centuries with visits to the Suquamish Museum, the Port Gamble Historical Museum, Point No Point Lighthouse, the Poulsbo Historical Museum and Martinson Cabin. Visit downtown Poulsbo and have an arts experience: See a play, hear poetry, meet an artist, create an artwork of your own. There is so much more. Visit North Kitsap
44
EXPERIENCE
A PERSONAL ADVENTURE
and you’ll see why it’s a special place. Let this article be your guide.
HANSVILLE/POINT NO POINT Point No Point is as historic as it is beautiful. Known by the area’s First Peoples as Hahdskus, a treaty was signed here on Jan. 26, 1855 by representatives of the United States and Chimakum, S’Klallam and Skokomish leaders, clearing the way for nonNative settlement in this region. A monument commemorates the treaty signing. Point No Point Light Station, established in 1879, is a major attraction for residents and visitors, with its historic structures, long stretch of driftwood beach and a marsh that attracts migratory birds. The light station is owned by the U.S.
Coast Guard but is leased to Kitsap County for use as a park. The lighthouse keeper’s quarters are a duplex; one half is the headquarters of the U.S. Lighthouse Society, the other half is managed by the society as a vacation rental. Stop at the nearby Hansville Store for coffee, ice cream, sandwiches, soda or other refreshments. Those old buildings and cabins next door are reminders of the area’s fishing resort era, when families played, sunned and fished here. Hike the Hansville Greenway & Wildlife Corridor (http://www.kitsapgov.com/ parks/parks/Documents/HansvilleGrnwy_ Brochure.pdf). The greenway and corridor is a wildlife sanctuary and nature preserve. Bear Meadow, at the north end of Buck Lake, and its edges provide substantial forage for deer, and bear feed upon the plentiful blackberries.
D I S C OV ER K I T S A P 2 014