Things to Do in Oak Harbor

Nestled in the bucolic scenery of coastal Washington, Whidbey Golf and Country Club’s par 72 course stretches across 6,467 yards of water-kissed terrain. The round begins with a challenge, as the first tee gives way to the longest and most difficult hole, a 516-yard par 5 where drives must touch down on a narrow landing strip flanked by bunkers or circle in the atmosphere until they get signal clearance. Multiple ponds come into play throughout the round, upping the ante on certain shots with high-risk, high-reward scenarios. Before embarking on their pin-hunting expedition, duffers can trace power draws into the sky or take aim at invading weather balloons at the driving range.

Those hoping to more thoroughly scout their verdant foe can pore over the website’s hole-by-hole description. A one-hour drive or ferry trip north of Seattle, the course is playable year-round, with closures only for Christmas, New Year’s, and Chi Chi Rodriguez Day.

Course at a Glance:

• 18-hole, par 72 course

• Length of 6,476 yards from the farthest tees

• Course rating of 70.7 from the farthest tees

• Slope rating of 123 from the farthest tees

• Four tee options

Stretching across Skagit Valley since 1875, Lenning Farms has seen countless oats, grains, vegetables, and fruit grown and harvested on its land throughout five generations of hard work. The farm’s current operators, Todd and Bev Lenning, erected The Berry Barn more than 10 years ago to house their berry-related goods, then a new endeavor for the farm. The pair stocks the big red barn with dozens of varieties of fresh-picked berries—from strawberries to gooseberries to blueberries—14 types of fresh-baked pies, hand-dipped ice cream, and handmade gifts. To challenge and entertain their visitors, Todd and Bev constructed their mind-exercising hedge maze, which has grown to be one of the largest in North America, where customers search for different stations featuring facts about berries and Lenning Farms. Lenning Farms also has a rope maze available for younger guests.

For the Hanke family, it seems like Puget Sound Express has always been part of their lives. Raised in the Puget Sound his entire life, Pete Hanke honed his seafaring abilities alongside his father, Pete Sr. Together, the two started leading weeklong sailing adventures across the Pacific Northwest in 1981 and eventually started whale tours. Today, the business still remains a family affair, with grandparents, children, and grandchildren working side by side. Sherri Hanke, Pete’s wife, feels this is the company's biggest feature. "We have three generations of captains, so there is a wealth of knowledge there."

In addition to their family members, Puget Sound Express's crew is well acquainted with the area's 88 resident killer whales, which naturalists can identify based on their markings and slick leather jackets. Tours also pass into the habitats of other wildlife, often spotting humpbacks, sea birds, and bald eagles. The Hankes' most popular voyage tours the San Juan Islands, pausing at the fishing village of Friday Harbor. According to Sherri, this region is well known for its weather. "We refer to it as the Blue Hole, because it is like this circle of sunlight. It could be raining in Seattle and extremely sunny here."

The Hankes take adventure-seekers out on the M.V. Glacier Spirit, a modern, 70-seat vessel with open-air viewing decks and large windows allowing sightseers unencumbered views. Additionally, an on-board hydrophone listens in on whales' vocalizations to see which songs are currently stuck in their heads.