bremerton, wa
While the snow ain’t snowin’ and the adventures are slim, I’ll recount stories of my olden days…
Sprite captured this image from the ferry of Bremerton showing off its Olympic Mountain views on a rare blue sky day.
…living in places that didn’t really experience winter. I’ll begin with Bremerton, WA which is known as Navy City due to the Navy Shipyard claiming space along the shoreline. A place where warships are repurposed or simply rust their life away. Bremerton also boasts some trail systems that offer lots of outdoor recreation fun and some stellar views. Most notably, Green Mountain.
Green Mountain map
The best source of information regarding the trail system on Green Mountain can be found on the Kitsap Trail Guide site. Although there is a working forest (think: clear-cutting and active logging sites), you can hike, bike, trail ride horses or dirt bikes, and generally get lost with some breathtaking views of Seattle and snow tipped mountains. During my time there I enjoyed all the trails along with all walking paths around the peninsula and am happy to share these memories with you now.
The above pictures are from Dani and Sprite adventuring around downtown Bremerton and along the ferry docks. The photos from the hike up Green Mountain seem to have disappeared though.
Dani Dancer Dreis
In case you don’t recall my adventure buddy, here she is dancing her heart out as Medora in Le Corsaire. I know, she’s stunning!
Dani and I hiked up the Wildcat trail to the summit of Green Mountain together on a cool summer day. She questioned the afternoon start time thinking it would be hot and quickly realized the shade stays cool in Bremerton during the summer unlike summer in Utah. We meandered up, took in the mountain views that appear just before reaching the peak, and relished seeing Seattle and Mount Rainier (Tahoma) once we summitted. On the way down I made sure to stay in character by slipping and bruising my tailbone on a rock. Curtsy.
Mehar
Ensuring proof of the adventure, Mehar documented our start at Gold Creek Trailhead.
Mehar and Sprite on the summit of Green Mountain
After requesting to hike with me for a few years, I finally relented and invited Mehar up the Gold Creek trail. It’s the quicker, easier 5-mile route to the top of Green Mountain (aka the more fun route). The Gold Creek trail follows the creek for a flat mile or so before joining up with the Wildcat trail. With lower stakes and just as many views, it’s a no-brainer why this is a more popular starting point. There are frequently races and events held from this trailhead so it can be hard to find parking in the summer months.
Tanya visited me often when I lived in Bremerton. Most of the outings actually occurred on other trails that were not on Green Mountain, such as the trails that abutted the Ueland tree farm and the Newberry Hill Heritage Park. We looped Rhododendron laced trails, played around waterfalls, chatted about life, and admired the scenery together. I didn’t even get us lost! ;-)
Trail buddies
Joining friends for informal races and events or simply Tuesday evenings always makes running feel easier.
While living in Bremerton, I joined the Turtle Rockets running group for bridge loops on Wednesday evenings. Some of us talked each other into gathering on other days for running events to up our mileage in addition to the social Wednesday runs. I’ll never forget the view after climbing up the zig zags of the clear-cut section on Green Mountain from the Gold Creek Trailhead. The burn makes it that much more worth it, right? I mean, just look at this majestic scene!
Olympic Mountain range
Running buddy
Emily and I kept each other accountable in running and in life. With parallel reasons for living in the area, we made the most of it by adventuring together.
Newberry Hill Heritage Park consists of a main gravel circle with trails that feed off of the main area. I ran a figure eight loop out there almost weekly since you could easily change up your mileage and see a different section every time you visited. Emily and I may have missed a turn during the Turkey Trot because of this factor but we sure did enjoy ourselves out there!
Snow day
Ok, so Bremerton does experience winter. Somewhat. Proof lies in this pic.
Fresh snow on Christmas morn 2017 made a magical first Christmas together for TAJ & Sprite.
I may as well share a few pics of every season in Bremerton because well, it really is a picturesque place. I’ll begin with fall. That’s what the PNW seems to be known for: fall vibes. The photos below capture brilliant fall leaves around the water scenery. Did I mention how much water surrounds Bremerton? Two bridges connect the town, which you can walk the loop in a precise three-mile stretch. Yes, it’s beautiful along the entire route.
Spring
When you think of rainbows, I bet you think of Hawaii. However, due to spring rains rainbows are a constant in Bremerton.
Now that I no longer live there, I can honestly account that I had it good. Reeuhl good. Deep down I knew that and really did try to appreciate all I had while in the moment. I’m grateful for those in my path and those filling voids at that time in my life. I needed you. Thanks for being there to explore Green Mountain and the area trails with me! May this quip honor our shenanigans appropriately.
Summer sunsets out on the west coast are kinda hard to beat