Port Angeles Washington - The Center Of It All

The Olympic National Park will be offering free admission this weekend. In addition to free admission to Olympic National Park A forest treasure hunt will be held at the park’s Heart O’ the Hills campground amphitheater from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday. Park rangers will provide a family-friendly, hands-on exploration of the forest around the campground. Attendees should wear weather-appropriate clothing and shoes. The treasure hunts will continue on Saturdays through Sept. 4. The program is free, but the park will have resumed collecting entrance fees next weekend at the Heart O’ the Hills entrance station before the campground. For more information, phone Janis Burger at 360-565-3136. If your looking for night time activates you can Explore the summer night sky indoors at a free, one-hour, all-ages, planetarium-style program at the ONP Visitor Center in Port Angeles, 3002 Mount Angeles Road, at 7 p.m. on Saturday. Or if you would prefer the real thing John Goar will lead a free one-hour astronomy program with telescopes at Hurricane Ridge, 17 miles up a paved road from Port Angeles, in the national park. Meet him at the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center at 10 p.m. His sky watching programs are every night this week through Sunday night. If skies are cloudy Goar’s program will be canceled. For program status, phone the park phone recording at 360-565-3131 after 4 p.m. the day of the program.

Olympic Cellars kicks-off its 2010 summer concerts on Saturday evenings August 7, 14, 21 & 28th. The outdoor concerts will take place on the winery grounds from 7:00 – 9:30 p.m. and you are invited to bring a picnic, taste some great wine and enjoy the music against a backdrop of the majestic Olympic Mountains.” Saturday’s band is the “Astro Cats” This band is original and a breath of fresh air on the local music scene. The band loves to perform songs that are not overplayed but have that rock’n drive and are fun to sing along & dance to. Also they have the talent to play it all, no recorded tracts with these guys. The cover charge is only $5/ per person. It’s going to be a lot of fun and a great way to spend a August night! For more information go to http://www.olympiccellars.com/

Come down to the Free Concert on the Pier tonight from 6-8pm. Tonight’s band is Kevin Lee Magner & Bound to Happen. They have an eclectic blend of music that subtly hints influences of rhythm and blues, folk, hard rock, blues, country, bluegrass, and elements of gospel a mixture of all these and more. Stop by the Port Angeles Farmers Market before to pick up some snacks or you can always get an Italian ice from Maria’s Italian Ice or a hot dog from Kay at the Dawg Cart on the Pier. See you there!

Did you know that 95 percent of Olympic National Park is designated as Wilderness! This year, nearly 40,000 people will camp in the Olympic Wilderness and several hundred thousand people will take day hikes and walks. Wilderness travel can be challenging and sometimes risky. Don’t take the risk here are a few safety tips: 1. Always leave an itinerary of your hike with family or friends, and stick to it. 2. Before your trip, learn about the hazards you may encounter and take adequate precautions. Select appropriate clothing and equipment. Always hike with a companion. Choose a trail that matches the skill level of your party. 3. Know your own limitations and the abilities and weaknesses of your hiking companions. Plan your route and rate of travel around the weakest member. Make sure that each member of your party knows what gear the others have packed. 4. Track your location using map and compass. If you encounter trouble, do not be afraid to turn back. 5. During bad weather like rain, snow and fog, you may be safer if you stay put rather than attempt to travel. For more information on the Olympic National Park go to http://www.nps.gov/olym/index.htm.