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Come celebrate with us May 14, 2016!

Washington gets a bad wrap for its rainy and gray climate. The labels awarded our Evergreen State are not without justification. Take the Olympic Peninsula for example. It receives more rainfall than any other place in the continental US.

However, those who quickly assume rain and gray mean dreary and dull are missing out. Our fair state has some of the best scenery in the world. It is home to lush rain forests, epic mountains, quaint meadows, remote lakes, and a plethora of waterfalls.

We may be a tad biased, but we happen to think the Pacific Northwest is one of the most beautiful places on earth. With this opinion in mind, we couldn’t be more excited about the quickly approaching Free Admission Days.

January 17 and 18 will mark the second time this year Washington State Parks will not require a Discover Pass when visiting state parks.

In celebration of this fantastic event, we’re sharing our three favorite state parks. If you’ve been to them, go again! If you haven’t, we hope this will inspire you to check them out.

Discovery Park

Known to some as “Seattle’s gem,” Discovery Park is our city’s largest green space. The 534-acre site was formerly an Army post. At its westernmost point, the West Point Light Station (also known as the Discovery Park Lighthouse) is still an active navigation beacon. It’s also a prime spot for seeing Mount Rainier on a clear day.

Despite the park’s close proximity to an ever-growing metropolis more than 205 species of birds and large mammals call the park home. Coyotes, black bears, and cougars have even been spotted within its borders. Along its coast, seals and sea lions are frequent visitors. Additionally, its shores include more than two miles of tide pools.

The park features nearly 12 miles of walking trails, the highlight of which is the Discovery Park Loop Trail. A 2.8-mile path, it primarily follows the park’s coast, offering stunning views.

San Juan Islands National Monument

In 2013, the world learned that the San Juan Islands have some of the most diverse, untouched, and stunning habitats. To the folks here at Kenmore Air, this wasn’t new news. We’ve been flying to the San Juans since 1946. But, we’re incredibly pleased this slice of paradise was recognized as a national monument.

There are over 400 islands in the San Juans. They vary greatly in size and terrain. Some are little more than barren rocks while others are blanketed with lush rainforests. Throughout the islands you’ll find a diverse population of wildlife ranging from black-tailed deer and mink to river otters and thousands of birds. Along the shores, you’ll see sea lions and seals. However, orcas are the star.

The majority of the orcas seen in the San Juans are known as resident orcas (aka Southern Resident Killer Whales). Comprised of three different pods (J, K, and L), you’ll primarily see these orcas from mid-April to early October. However, transient orcas have been spotted year round.

A variety of whale watching services, like San Juan Safaris, are offered throughout the islands. Or you can visit Lime Kiln Point state park, one of the world’s best land-based whale watching perches. Alternatively, you could head to Cattle Point Lighthouse. Located on the southeastern tip of San Juan Island, it overlooks the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

Olympic National Park

It’s not just the tide pools and mossy rain forests that make Olympic National Park unique. There’s also the massive, glacier-capped mountains; numerous rivers; and extensive wildlife.

Located on the Olympic Peninsula, this national park receives so much rain it makes Seattle seem like California. In the nearly 8,000-foot-high Olympic Mountains, much of this participation is seen as snow. It feeds more than 250 glaciers. (That’s second only to Alaska!)

At lower altitudes, this heavy rainfall results in a dense rain forest thick with moss and towering old growth forests. Favorite hikes include the Bogachiel river, which runs through La Push into the Pacific; the Hall of Mosses trail, where massive trees support a garden of mosses and lichens; and Marymere Falls, a 200-foot waterfall with a fern-laden base.

Kenmore, WA – AVIC will debut the first Chinese made seaplane in the US. Using innovative designed floats by EDO Floats, and with their co-operation to obtain US and Chinese airworthiness certification, the Y-12s will be fully transformed into amphibious aircraft. The transformed Y-12s certified under FAA and CAAC will increase their competitive edge in the international arena.

AVIC has ordered 100 sets of floats from EDO Floats. The revolutionary floats will be made of carbon fiber, which is more reliable, durable, lighter plus more resistant to corrosion.

AVIC’s aggressive expansion in the last two years has seen it extend its seaplane bases from Zhejiang, to Fuzhou and along the South Eastern costal areas. It intends to widen its seaplane bases to cover the Pearl River Delta Region and Yun Nan province. A strong fleet of seaplanes is therefore imperative for AVIC’s expansion plans.

EDO Floats is a subsidiary of Kenmore Air, the largest seaplane operator in the US. It has over 50 years of experience in constructing, repairing and rebuilding floats, as well as strategic partners worldwide and expertise in airworthiness certification. The floats will be manufactured in the Pacific Northwest. This cooperation with EDO will bolster AVIC’s position in the seaplane industry.

The transformed Y-12s are scheduled for completion in 2017. It will be the first testament of its kind – Chinese manufactured amphibious twin engine aircraft to meet international standards for both technology and certification. It will also be the first medium to large seaplane to use carbon fiber floats.

We teamed up with Wild Orca, a Washington state non-profit organization, to spread awareness about the Pacific Northwest’s endangered population of Southern Resident Killer Whales.

How? In a lot of ways, the biggest of which is a flying wild orca ambassador. That’s right – we transformed one of our iconic 10 passenger seaplanes (N606KA to be exact) into a flying replica of an orca whale.

And goodness, does she look beautiful.

N606KA will fly between Seattle and Kenmore Air’s extensive network of destinations across Washington and British Columbia. Additionally, we’ll be working with Wild Orca to equip our entire fleet with educational materials about the struggling population of orcas and a guide to practical changes needed for recovery.

Today, Saturday, May 2, we’re joined at Kenmore Air Harbor by several of Seattle’s media personnel; Wild Orca’s founders, Kenmore Air seaplane pilots, Michael Hays and Anna Gullickson; Ken Balcomb of the Center for Whale Research; Dr. Deborah Giles, a biologist specializing in Southern Resident Killer Whales; and several children from Friends of Youth, a local non-profit empowering children in need.

Tomorrow, Sunday, May 3, we’ll be offering exclusive 30-minute scenic flights aboard N606KA. Flights will depart from Lake Union between Noon and 4:00 PM. If you’d like to share your experience, please use the hashtag #WildOrcaSeaplane!

More About Wild Orca
Wild Orca is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization registered in Washington State, dedicated to supporting organizations and individuals that research, protect, and provide public education for the well-being of wild orca populations. Wild Orca carries out it mission by holding fundraising events, awareness campaigns and distributing educational materials to individuals about the factors affecting our endangered orcas.

In 2014, Wild Orca was founded by two Kenmore Air seaplane pilots, Michael Hays and Anna Gullickson. Through their work transporting people and goods throughout the Pacific Northwest, they gained an appreciation and affinity for the beauty and significance of wild orcas. They recognized the value and importance of caring for these unique, iconic creatures.

More About Friends of Youth
In 1951, Friends of Youth was officially incorporated. It was a place where young people could find a sympathetic ear, grow personally and contribute positively to their communities. Friends of Youth has grown into a leader in developing, providing and advocating for services for children, youth and their families. Its founding principles have endured: an unwavering dedication to providing quality services; the flexibility to meet new and emerging needs; and most important, a commitment to securing the futures of the most vulnerable members of the community.