clockwise around Whidbey Island
- Beach View Farm Trail [PDF] (wclt.org)
This 315-acre farm is one of the few remaining large working farms on Whidbey Island. For more than 150 years, this farm has served a variety of agricultural purposes. Expansive views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Olympics made it attractive for development. Fortunately, the farm’s owners sold a conservation easement to the Land Trust, ensuring permanent protection of this treasured farm and forest.
- Almach (stars.astro.illinois.edu)
ALMACH (Gamma Andromedae). You take your new telescope to the back yard perhaps wondering what to examine. When finished with the Moon and the bright planets you turn to the stars, first perhaps to the grand Orion Nebula, next maybe to the magnificent Andromeda Galaxy. Then it is time for double stars. The sky abounds with them, northern winter’s Castor, springtime’s Mizar and Alcor, summer’s Albireo (the seasons reversed for the southern hemisphere), dozens of others easily found. Among the best of all, however, is the last star of the string of bright beauties that helps make the constellation Andromeda, second magnitude (2.16) Almach, Andromeda’s Gamma star.
- 1411 Wieldraayer, Oak Harbor, WA 98277
- Turn left into Christian Reformed Church parking lot. Park in 8 designated spots on the west side of the lot.