Sweating effortlessly ‘Cuz it’s too darn hot’
Half past noon and the mercury in Longbranch is flirting with 90 degrees. My sweat is flowing effortlessly. The goofy … Continue reading Sweating effortlessly ‘Cuz it’s too darn hot’
A Sturgeon Moon rising minus the fish
It would have been nice to have the fish to go with its namesake full moon: the Full Sturgeon Moon. … Continue reading A Sturgeon Moon rising minus the fish
Breezy Longbranch summer sailing show
The graceful dance of a sailor at the end of a journey can be quite a performance as he drops … Continue reading Breezy Longbranch summer sailing show
Dog days perfect for paddling
Dog days of summer are upon us. Temperatures in Longbranch are soaring into the 90s our private road has to … Continue reading Dog days perfect for paddling
Free camp for military kids — including canoes and ziplines: priceless
Jean-Luc Rivera knows what it’s like to be a military kid. His mom was a Marine for 22 years. Born … Continue reading Free camp for military kids — including canoes and ziplines: priceless
A little magic dust transforms Key Peninsula fairy camp into real fun
Nothing like a little magic dust to transform a walk in the park into a fairy tale wonderland of wings … Continue reading A little magic dust transforms Key Peninsula fairy camp into real fun
Beautiful Memorial Day on the Key Peninsula
What a wonderful way to start the day. Hardly a cloud in the sky, all is calm in Longbranch as … Continue reading Beautiful Memorial Day on the Key Peninsula
Longbranch lose power after truck plows into power pole
As a warm breeze blew through Longbranch, my lovely bride and I sat on our deck waiting for the power … Continue reading Longbranch lose power after truck plows into power pole
Watching Eagles a Treat No Matter Where
Watching bald eagles, no matter where, is always a treat. So an invitation from fellow journalist Adam Lynn to catch … Continue reading Watching Eagles a Treat No Matter Where
Key Peninsula Horse Show Gives Kids A Ride of Confidence
NevAeh Baker tugged tightly on the rope that kept her horse Cookie by her side. Her eyes intently focused on … Continue reading Key Peninsula Horse Show Gives Kids A Ride of Confidence
Spring in Longbranch comes to life in all shades of wonderful
When a throng gathered earlier this month in Gobbler’s Knob, Pennsylvania, awaiting the emergence of the groundhog named Punxsutawney … Continue reading Spring in Longbranch comes to life in all shades of wonderful
Snow finally falls over Drayton Passage
I love the snow. The big flaky kind that lazily float down and land on your nose like a wet kiss. … Continue reading Snow finally falls over Drayton Passage
Sun closest to Earth on this cold winter day
Frost is crawling up the cedar planks on our deck, our sun deserted us a few ticks before the 5 … Continue reading Sun closest to Earth on this cold winter day
Cold, clear morning in Longbranch mean icy conditions
I feared the worst on my commute this morning. Temperatures had dropped to the low 30s overnight, and with clear … Continue reading Cold, clear morning in Longbranch mean icy conditions
Playing in snow on the Key Peninsula
Longbranch was spared most of the snow that fell on the Key Peninsula Sunday. Judging from posts on Facebook, the … Continue reading Playing in snow on the Key Peninsula
Rare full moon rises on Christmas Day
Rare celestial happenings are a treat — especially a full moon on Christmas Day. Although seeing it from Longbranch is … Continue reading Rare full moon rises on Christmas Day
2015: Christmas morning in Longbranch
Mayo Cove was all quiet Christmas morning as a leaden sky hung heavy over Douglas firs. A light rain fell … Continue reading 2015: Christmas morning in Longbranch
Dreaming of a white Christmas in Longbranch
At 3:46 p.m. Tuesday Dec. 22, 2015, we marched into the longest night and shortest day of the year. I … Continue reading Dreaming of a white Christmas in Longbranch
Purdy Bridge is focus of Port Orchard shutterbugs
Horse and big red ram share road in Longbranch
Life in the country has its privileges. Big open spaces with hardly any vehicular traffic. Vistas that never tire the … Continue reading Horse and big red ram share road in Longbranch
Young eagle soars over Longbranch
A break in the rain brought out a young bald eagle to a perch on our bank. Unlike its more … Continue reading Young eagle soars over Longbranch
Scents of sweet cinnamon and hot cocoa are swirling in my head
It has been over a week since we last saw the sun’s golden glow on Drayton Passage. The weather … Continue reading Scents of sweet cinnamon and hot cocoa are swirling in my head
More freezing fog on the Key Peninsula
Our lovely Thanksgiving Day sunrise is but a misty memory. According to the weather geeks, expect more freezing fog this … Continue reading More freezing fog on the Key Peninsula
Frigid, Foggy Morning in Longbranch
It was foggy and freezing on the Key Peninsula this morning. We woke up on Drayton Passage to a thick … Continue reading Frigid, Foggy Morning in Longbranch
Chasing a Beaver Moon from Longbranch to Herron Point
Walking on the frosty crust of the beach below the Herron Island ferry landing early Thursday morning, all I could … Continue reading Chasing a Beaver Moon from Longbranch to Herron Point
Goodbye Sunshine, Hello Rain in Longbranch
Say hello to rain, goodbye sunshine — at least through Tuesday. According to the National Weather Service rain is coming … Continue reading Goodbye Sunshine, Hello Rain in Longbranch
Longbranch Power Outage Make for Cozy Saturday Morning
After almost three full days of rain, the pond is swollen and the woods bloated. The ducks are happy, and … Continue reading Longbranch Power Outage Make for Cozy Saturday Morning
My Favorite Pictures of Longbranch in 2015
One of the things I wanted to do when my Lovely Bride and I moved to Longbranch was to try … Continue reading My Favorite Pictures of Longbranch in 2015
Annual Rite of Autumn fill Minter Creek With Hopeful Anglers
As the bite of autumn chill arrives on the Key Peninsula, anglers from Tacoma descend on a bend of Minter … Continue reading Annual Rite of Autumn fill Minter Creek With Hopeful Anglers
Canadian Trawler Spotted in Longbranch Waterway
The Canada Coast Guard Ship W.E. Ricker rumbled down Drayton Passage in the silvery glaze of the morning haze. Her … Continue reading Canadian Trawler Spotted in Longbranch Waterway
Camp Colman experience empowers children to swing beyond comfort zone
Like foraging ants, dozens of students, parents and teachers methodically combed a piece of beach on the Key Peninsula last … Continue reading Camp Colman experience empowers children to swing beyond comfort zone
Marking a Super Moon and Eclipse with a Longbranch Moondance
It was, as Van Morrison sang, a marvelous night for a moondance. A crisp September night with the leaves starting … Continue reading Marking a Super Moon and Eclipse with a Longbranch Moondance
Super Moon, Lunar Eclipse Combine for Spectacular Show over Longbranch
A celestial spectacle is expected to occur above us this evening if the sky over Longbranch stays clear. The rare … Continue reading Super Moon, Lunar Eclipse Combine for Spectacular Show over Longbranch
Longbranch Summer Makes Encore Appearance
Sure looks like summer is making an encore appearance this week. The weather geeks say the high today will hit … Continue reading Longbranch Summer Makes Encore Appearance
Gig Harbor Crush Peninsula 40-14 in 37th Fish Bowl
There was no question who the better team was at the 37th edition of the Fish Bowl at Friday night. … Continue reading Gig Harbor Crush Peninsula 40-14 in 37th Fish Bowl
Key Peninsula’s Favorite Pony Runaway Ray off to Greener Pastures
Runaway Ray has left for greener pastures. The partially blind Shetland who stole many hearts on the Key Peninsula died … Continue reading Key Peninsula’s Favorite Pony Runaway Ray off to Greener Pastures
Beating the Heat in Gig Harbor on a Paddle Boat
Judging from the cloud cover over Drayton Passage, things are cooling off a bit today. But not enough to lift … Continue reading Beating the Heat in Gig Harbor on a Paddle Boat
Blue Moon Spectacle Seen in Longbranch
Once in a blue moon, along Drayton Passage, we are treated to a show as spectacular as a summer moon … Continue reading Blue Moon Spectacle Seen in Longbranch
Voice of Key Peninsula Bluegrass Minstrels Wow Longbranch Crowd
A star was born, it seemed, when Nicole Johnson wowed the crowd of more than 200 at the Longbranch Bluegrass … Continue reading Voice of Key Peninsula Bluegrass Minstrels Wow Longbranch Crowd
Behind the story of the Key Peninsula Chicken Lady
Funny how stories are found and told. A few days ago I came across one of the funniest (to me … Continue reading Behind the story of the Key Peninsula Chicken Lady
Longbranch Bluegrass & Barbecue Festival a hit with feet, bellies
It’s something I was born with, what you get is what you see, I’m just an old hillbilly with a … Continue reading Longbranch Bluegrass & Barbecue Festival a hit with feet, bellies
Longbranch Summer Takes a Chill Pill
Good morning Longbranch. It has been a while — a very long while — since my last post. This morning … Continue reading Longbranch Summer Takes a Chill Pill
A Love Letter to My Mom
My heart hides a hard truth: My mother and I have been strangers for most of my life. She didn’t … Continue reading A Love Letter to My Mom
Full Moon in Longbranch a Sublime Sight
We live in a wonderful part of the world. From red sunrises to golden moonrises, pods of Orcas playing in … Continue reading Full Moon in Longbranch a Sublime Sight
Orcas Pop Up in Longbranch, Key Peninsula
A pod of orcas popped out of Drayton’s Passage just as the wind began to pick up Saturday evening, forcing … Continue reading Orcas Pop Up in Longbranch, Key Peninsula
Blood moon, red sunrises, fiery blooms: Red is the Thing in Longbranch
It seems red has been the color of the week. If you happened to be up at 3 this morning, … Continue reading Blood moon, red sunrises, fiery blooms: Red is the Thing in Longbranch
Another Cougar Sighting Reported on the Key Peninsula
Another possible cougar sighting was reported late Friday morning by a passing driver who said a big cat crossed the … Continue reading Another Cougar Sighting Reported on the Key Peninsula
Key Peninsula Cougar Sighting Stirs Social Media Discussion
What Sara Keenan saw early Monday morning would have frightened anyone. As she was opening the barn doors at her … Continue reading Key Peninsula Cougar Sighting Stirs Social Media Discussion
2014: Oh What a Year it was
How time flies when you are having fun. I can hardly believe it is 2015. Last year went racing by … Continue reading 2014: Oh What a Year it was
Toys For Tots in Longbranch Brings Smiles and Santa
For Jackie Baltmiskis, Christmas is about putting smiles on children’s faces. She cannot remember not ever doing it — even … Continue reading Toys For Tots in Longbranch Brings Smiles and Santa
