Hood Canal...
Hood Canal...
Hood Canal is one of the most magnificent bodies of
recreational salt water anywhere in the world. It has warm, clear
swimming water, incredible views of the Olympic Mountains,
fantastic beachcombing opportunities, and its location makes it easy to
reach from many metro areas. It's no wonder that waterfront home owners
are mostly second, third, or even fourth generation Hood Canal residents.
Once you've experienced Hood Canal's magic, it's hard to find a
better spot - anywhere!
...waterfront owners are mostly second, third, or even fourth generation Hood Canal
residents...
Located in western Washington State, Hood Canal is not
really a canal at all but rather a picturesque fjord, which separates
most of Puget Sound from the Olympic Peninsula. Discovered by
Captain George Vancouver, it was first called Hood's Channel. The
Canal has never been the scene of heavy industry and is
today still dominated only by recreational properties and
virgin beaches. It has a length of nearly 90 miles which makes
it's lower 15 mile stretch hard to reach by the yachting set leaving
this "lower Hood Canal" section a preserve for local boating
and beach recreation. This web site focuses on this lower part of
Hood Canal. Two routes rim it's shoreline, from Union to
Belfair (Hwy 106 - South Shore Road) and from Belfair to Tahuya (Hwy 300 -
North Shore Road). The town of Belfair is the gateway to the area.
Lower Hood Canal's unique features have made it a popular but not a widely known
destination for nearly 100 years.
After being logged in the later 1800's and again in the
early part of the 1900's the land and shoreline was gradually subdivided
and sold to homeowners who embraced the Canal's beauty and
solitude. During World War II with roads along the shoreline
completed and employment available in the Puget Sound Navel Shipyard in Bremerton,
lower Hood Canal became populated with young families, many of whom had
immigrated here for the war effort.
...they all seem to love Hood Canal for it's enormous beauty and it's versatile
environment...
As the decades passed, property values increased as
early visitors and children of residents returned to secure homes
for recreational purposes, a process that continues to this day.
As has been the case from the beginning, the Canal remains populated by
a mix of full time residents and vacation folks from metropolitan areas
of Seattle, Tacoma, Everett, Aberdeen/Hoquium, Portland, and
beyond. Regardless of their connection or origin they all seem to love
Hood Canal for it's enormous beauty and it's versatile environment.
... If you remembered to pick some oysters earlier that day you can roast them,
or eat them raw, right there on the beach...
The salt-water beaches are loaded with oysters, clams,
mussels, and many other forms of sea life. At low
tide children squeal with joy as they turn over rocks and find
abundant sea life wriggling around in front of their eyes.
Adults too are always delighted as they pull fresh Dungeness crabs and famous
Hood Canal shrimp from pots they can set right in front of
their homes. Hood Canal also offers the best
saltwater recreational boating water in the State.
... children squeal with joy as they turn over rocks and find abundant sea life
wriggling around in front of their eyes...
Unlike the majority of the Puget Sound, where waters
rarely exceed 60 degrees, Hood Canal's water temperatures are always in
the mid 70's during the summer's best months. Warm water and a
small number of boats (compared to Lake Washington, for example)
make Hood Canal an ideal spot for swimming, sailing, diving,
water-skiing, inner-tubing, jet- skiing, or
windsurfing. You name it; if you are going to get wet you will
enjoy Hood Canal's refreshing warm and
clear waters.
... Hood Canal has the best salt water recreational boating water in the State...
Two scenes that cement Hood Canal into the hearts of
locals are: a cool, brisk, clear, spring day with the snow covered
Olympic Mountains towering above the blue water and white capped
waves. The second is a hot, August, high tide, summer afternoon
with the sun setting in the west and children playing in the warm
shallow water on the fine gravel beaches. If you remembered to pick some oysters
earlier that day you can roast them, or eat them raw, right there on the beach.
Summertime of course isn't the only time of the year to
appreciate Hood Canal's beauty. Migratory birds pass through the area in both spring and
fall and an occasional gray whale will show up once in a
while. Seals and bay otters always entertain residents and
the magnificent and majestic blue herons of the area grace the beaches and docks all year long
Summer, fall, winter, or spring the Canal and it's beaches offer unending entertainment.
...magnificent
and
majestic blue herons of
the area
grace the beaches and docks all year long...
Whether you are falling in love with Hood Canal for the
first time or returning to enjoy her beauty and majesty, you will not be
disappointed. Through the seasons and over the years Hood Canal
will capture and hold your heart. The quality of experience is
unsurpassed. Come and enjoy Hood Canal, you won't be disappointed.
It takes 1.5 hours to reach lower Hood Canal from
Seattle or Everett, less from Tacoma. To get there, take the ferry
from Edmonds, Seattle/Bainbridge, Seattle/Bremerton, Fauntleroy, or
drive over the Narrows Bridge. Regardless of your route it takes
about the same amount of time - 1.5 hours. Then go to Belfair on
Hwy 3.
As you drive around the area you will notice that one
real estate company dominates the Hood Canal area...
REID REAL ESTATE
For information on listed properties you will be best
served by one of the agents in the Belfair Reid Real Estate
office. Most of these agents are long-term residents who know the
Canal properties well. All of them are full time, senior
agents. The company has been in it's current location for over 40
years.
For a self guided tour; I offer to prepare a packet of
current listings that you can use on your own. (I need a couple of
days notice). If you have a serious interest in a particular home
I can arrange a showing. It is best to contact me in advance so we
can discuss what would work best for you. I will look forward to
your contact.
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