Celebrate Mother Earth on foot, at sea
View eagles from Kingston to Point No Point or wildflowers in Guillemot Cove County Park.
Dungeness Spit Hike, April 5: Bob Hungerford leads this hike along the Dungeness Spit, the longest natural sandspit in the U.S., extending out into the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Seabirds, seals, and artistic driftwood delight the hiker on the way to the oldest lighthouse in Washington State, situated at the end of the spit. Tours of the lighthouse are provided by members of the United States Lighthouse Society.
Eagle Watching Boat Tour, April 6: Climb aboard the 46-foot vessel Joker along with Jim Trainer to search for eagles’ nests along the coast, from Kingston to Point No Point, where as many as 11 eagles’ nests may be observed. With Capt. Randy at the helm, and Trainer as guide, this is a unique opportunity to view these raptors from a seldom-seen vantage point. Along the way, view see old-growth forest, shoreline and seabirds, and perhaps chance appearances of other Puget Sound sea life. Coffee, soft drinks, and snacks will be available on board. Cost for this excursion is $29 per person, which includes a $5 donation to GPC.
Green Mountain Hike, April 13: Biologist Stephanie Bailey leads this hike for those looking for a casual stroll with little elevation gain. The Green Mountain Beaver Pond is a beautiful wetland complex controlled by numerous beaver dams.
Guillemot Cove Wildflower Walk, April 26: Wendy McClure of the Washington Native Plant Society returns to lead another of her always popular wildflower walks at scenic Guillemot Cove Preserve, through the woods to the coast for lunch. On the return, visit the mysterious stump house. Bring wildflower books along.
Dan Hinkley to speak at Kingston Garden Club
Noted plantsman, author and speaker Dan Hinkley will present the April program for the Kingston Garden Club. Hinkley will speak on “Plant Marriages, Punctuation, Accentuation and Exclamation.”
Hinkley’s renowned nursery, Hersonwood, was once open to plant lovers. Although Hinkley no longer owns Hersonwood, he continues to travel the world collecting plants from the far corners of the earth. He shares knowledge he has accumulated through lectures, magazine articles, and most recently in his book, “Winter Ornaments.”
The Kingston Garden Club meets on the third Wednesday of the month, April 16 at Redeemer United Methodist Church at the corner of Parcell and Shorty Cambell roads in Kingston.
Hinkley’s presentation will begin promptly at 9:30 a.m. and a business meeting will follow. There is no charge for this lecture, but donations will be accepted from guests for West Sound Wildlife Shelter, one of Hinkley’s favorite local projects.
Novice and experienced gardeners are invited to join all garden club meetings. To learn more about the Kingston Garden club, go to www.kingstongardenclub.com. New members are always welcome. For directions or more information, call Nancy Martin at (360) 297-6640.
Gardening gurus and amateurs delight in sale
Make plans now to go to the Flotsam and Jetsam Garden Club’s annual garden sale, 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, May 10 at the Greater Hansville Community Center in Buck Lake Park.
This day-before Mother’s Day event offers not only abundant annuals and unusual perennials, shrubs and trees, but also cut flower arrangements, indoor plants, and delicious home made baked goods – all at low prices. Over 200 members have prepared for the sale since dividing plants for the sale last fall.
The sale benefits annual scholarships to local students, provides for several needy families at Christmas and funds special area projects.
