Blog du Wren

Peoples Guide to Anacortes

The People's Guide to Anacortes (originally named Anacortes for CheapOs) has been a project that I've been thinking about for quite some time now. The idea sprung from this post and the wonderful comments that it spawned. The more I thought about it, the more I wished this kind of thing existed for the places I travel to; a simple guide to the free, non-commercial activities a location has to offer. Anyone that has been to Anacortes knows that free activities abound here (hiking, swimming, parks, beaches, etc.)

My intended audience is essentially the younger, more adventurous, less affluent crowd (think heckers (my* oh so clever name for the folks that descend on Anacortes for the What The Heck Fest)), but there are activities for everyone, simply categorized with some fancy technology for syncing up the map with the description. Also available is a printable PDF.

I assume once some of my fellow Anacortians (Anacortisian?) have a look over the list, there will be suggestions for what I missed, etc. and I welcome that. Please pass those along via the comments or the contact page. I'll try to keep the list updated. Another thing you, dear readers, can do to help is to encourage people to check it out. If you have a friend that is going to be visiting Anacortes or the San Juan Islands, send them a link. Knowing that I've opened people's eyes to some of what Anacortes has to offer is the best form of payment I could get for a project like this*.

Wednesday July 18 2007

File under: Anacortes, travel

Toggle Comments (11)

comment?

on Wed 18th Jul, 2007 02:11 pm PDT Amanda said:
How awesome! No business/eatery recommendations? Are those too expensive for what you're trying to accomplish?
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on Wed 18th Jul, 2007 02:36 pm PDT Wren said:
Amanda, it only isn't a matter of expense, but of other aspects of commerce; promoting this one over that one (and the ensuing politics), the constant changing business environment (esp. in Anacortes), the vast array of tastes/preferences/values that would need to be taken into account, etc. There are a number of guides/maps to Anacortes that are geared towards promoting the commercial sector. This guide is meant as a counter to that; things to do where you don't need to worry about cost or business hours or getting reservations.
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on Wed 18th Jul, 2007 03:37 pm PDT Emily said:
What a wonderful guide - It turned out great! I'd be eager to get my hands on one of those puppies as a visitor to the island for sure. So often the non-go-spend-your-money-here places are overlooked. I know it would have been of use to me back in the day, talking/making suggestions/playing mini-tour guide to all the whale-watchers.
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on Thu 19th Jul, 2007 06:24 am PDT Chris said:
Does WaPa still have a playground? Last time I was there all I saw was construction
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on Thu 19th Jul, 2007 09:37 am PDT gretchen said:
they have a small sucky playground with now swings or decent slides. humph.
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on Thu 19th Jul, 2007 12:43 pm PDT Soreyes said:
WA Park has a new playground. Maybe you could add the Pass Lake to Ginnett Orchard trail.
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on Fri 20th Jul, 2007 07:47 am PDT cardboard said:
WAPA's got a new playground??! hot diggity I am on my way. Whats up with this Pass Lake trail you talking about soreeyes??
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on Sat 21st Jul, 2007 09:56 pm PDT Wilbur said:
Today, for the first time i heard somebody refer to "Anacortes" as "Cantaffordus"...i laughed...does this apply at all?
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on Sat 21st Jul, 2007 10:00 pm PDT Wilbur said:
That's really cool wren...well done.
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on Mon 30th Jul, 2007 12:03 am PDT Sean said:
Max LOVES the small sucky WaPa playground.Is curb sitting gonna get a mention or what?
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on Sat 04th Aug, 2007 11:11 am PDT Mira said:
Flippin' brilliant, mate. Might add a t to "brough" in the credits beneath the title. I'll send you my bill.Signed, your editor.
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