The Sound: Q & O (observations)

[Wyody]

So, I was up to "The Sound" a couple of times this summer - in June and July.
I was surprised how "outbacky" it still is - being so close to Tacoma and Seattle.
I spent time in Olympia, Port Orchard and Bremerton.
The area is beautiful, the Ferries are interesting and the occasional view of Seattle is ... ... one good reason for not going to Seattle. All is clear except for the smog of Seattle. Seems to bring that Seathilish word "Grunge" to mind.
I didn't get to see any Orcas swimming in the sound like I have heard so much about - not on these trips anyway - but I did get to look northward off the shore at more and more "Sound" that just waits out there. It reminded me a lot of the Everglades or the Bayou - except not tropically overgrown.
I do hope to make another trip or two while I am still in the Northwest - and maybe go on a few-day excursion into those areas I've read so much about.
Does "The Sound" enchant those of you who live farther north? Do you get the chance to get out there in it - or is it just someplace you see everyday and get used to?
What and when and how is the best way to see and enjoy the most of it?

[the dufferz]

Wyody,

Not surprised you didn't see any Oracas. I am a lifer and only saw some by paying $70 for a whale watching tour. Indeed the greater Puget Sound area is an awesome mix of city and country all mixed together. Most would be surpirsed at how diverse it can be. If you ever get back up hear make the trip to Whidbey Island. It's worth it.

[Wyody]

Thank you.
I have an aunt who lives right in Port Orchard - once told me that the Orcas are bouncing around all the time - and porpii (or dolphin?). I didn't actually go to her house but was a couple of miles away and simply drove thru the town itself. In Bremerton, I walked the waterfront but there was only the occasional mad boater bobbing.
Thanks for the tip on Whidbey. I've been looking into a Kayak tour of the San Juans and a couple of other possibilities. Alas, I'm beginning to sense that it won't be this year but hopefully, next.
Not that I've done a lot of research on it (yet) but I still keep the future open for living in Washington. It's a state I've spent a few months in here and there (remind me to get lost in a story of the winter-hottubs of Wenatchee) but have never lived in. I think that most folks on that side of the river, although they pay less for some of the essentials, still come down to Oregano to shop tax-free ... which, so far, doesn't appear (to me) to save anybody a dime!
Again, thanks for the tip!

[jabm67]

I've seen orcas on the Sound once, but I haven't spent much time on the water. My father-in-law used to have a boat moored in Anacortes, and we went out fishing one weekend. We had a small pod pass by ... very impressive sight and sound. But we gave up fishing for the day, because EVERYTHING hides when the orcas are about.

[the dufferz]

Anacortes is where most of the whale watching tours start from. They tend to run farther north than the Seattle area. Gotta say they are really cool to see.