Seeking Silverdale and Central Kitsap

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I had thought that we had seen the last of the white stuff after dealing with so much of it in December and after getting much more than our normal share of it already this winter.

 

So it was somewhat of a surprise when I woke up Monday morning and saw snow on the ground. And more surprise again when my wife called me from North Kitsap Monday night and asked if it was snowing in Silverdale because it sure was snowing in the Port Gamble area. By the time she got home, it was snowing in Silverdale. And again, this morning, as she got ready to go to work, it was snowing again.

I escaped the Midwest 20 years ago in part to get away from snow and cold weather, and from hot, muggy summers. So I don’t have the soft spot in my heart for snow that a lot of other people have. Many people here in the Northwest did not learn how to drive in snowy conditions because they happen so infrequently and chances are you never see snow when you’re learning how to drive. Complicating matters is that road crews here are not equipped to handle snow like crews are in regions where snowfall is more common. And finally, unlike the flat or gently rolling contours of the Midwest, this region’s hilly terrain makes icy or snow-packed roads even more difficult to negotiate.

So when it snows, I tend to stay in. I am awaiting the longer days and the onset of spring, when people once again emerge from their houses. That’s the time you interact with neighbors while doing yard work or when you see people out walking.

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You don’t often look up when you’re visiting Waterfront Park in Silverdale, especially since the large, old poplar tree that once shaded part of the park was cut down. But if you do, you’ll see an example of Silverdale’s public art — three colorful sculptures on top of poles stuck in the grassy mound at the park.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t find any explanation of who did the art work and what they are called. In fact, I don’t remember when they were installed. One time visiting the park I noticed them, but I don’t remember seeing them previously. I don’t recall ever seeing anything about them being installed in the paper when it happened.

They are certainly not literal. I’m not sure they are supposed to be representing anything. I do like the colors, and the whimsy that seems to be part of the installation. I haven’t heard any public comment on them. On a day that’s not sunny, like the one when I took these photos, they add a spark of color to what would otherwise be a pretty plain landscape. When the sun is out and shining on them, I imagine the colors would pop pretty nicely.

Can anyone add anything about when these sculptures were installed and who the artist is? Does anyone find them pretty, or funny, or objectionable?  Here are some closeups of the sculptures:

 I’d enjoy hearing from you on your thoughts about them.

— Jeff

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Sometimes it’s easy to forget when you’re in the heart of Silverdale that there’s still a lot of nature around.

One of the community’s real gems is the Clear Creek Trail, which offers a walk through preserved natural areas in the very core of Silverdale’s commercial district. The trail passes through the trees that are in the foreground of this photo, right in front of the embankment that carries State Highway 303 toward it’s interchange with State Highway 3.

There will be much to say about the Clear Creek Trail as this blog continues, since I think the trail is one of the best community-building features we have in Silverdale. It’s amazing how many people use it on a nice day, and how many times you’ll see someone on the trail even on a miserable day (my wife and I walked the trail behind Harrison Medical Center on Christmas Day, when all the sidewalks in Silverdale were impassible due to snow).

But the trail aside, we should all take a moment to appreciate the setting of our community. It’s what draws people here, and it’s part of the common bond that links us together.

— Jeff

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One way any community shows itself is by the way it greets visitors. The “gateway” to the community helps create a sense of what the community contains.

There are several gateways into Silverdale. This is one from the north, along Silverdale Way just after a motorist crests the Ridgetop and starts heading downhill into Silverdale.

On the afternoon this photo was taken, there was pretty normal traffic on Silverdale Way, but the weather was very dramatic, with a changeable sky that included both fast-moving dark clouds and a band of open sky nearer the horizon.

Although the view into Silverdale is pretty restricted from this vantage point, I have always liked this approach to the town. You see the waters of Dyes Inlet and the hills near Green Mountain behind. And the trees on either side don’t let you see too much of the concrete sprawl that makes up much of the commercial district.

What’s your favorite approach to Silverdale, and why does it appeal to you? Share your thoughts by commenting below, and we’ll start a conversation about that.

— Jeff

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Sometimes all it takes is a stop by the waterfront in Silverdale to have a reminder of why we choose to live in this place.

I was out and about in Silverdale Thursday and enjoyed watching the layer of clouds rush by while still seeing some blue sky and a little bit of sun. It was especially nice after the period first of snow, and then of rain, that we’ve endured.

When I got to the park Thursday afternoon, a group of kids from an area nursery school was playing there.

But after they left, I had the park all to myself.

— Jeff

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Hope you were able to catch the beautiful sunrise this morning over Silverdale. After days of snow and rain, this one is welcome.

 

It’s notable that the re-creation of the wetland area just north of All Star Lanes in Silverdale seems to have fulfilled the goal of easing the flooding danger in that part of the community. 

There are times in the past when rains like we experienced in the last couple of days would have resulted in flooding of the bowling alley parking lot and the businesses at that end of Silverdale Way. But the wetlands restoration seems to be doing it’s part to harbor water that otherwise would have flooded that that area.

— Jeff