Last week I found myself in the middle of a beach house community nestled on an island in Washington State. I visit this island often, but I tend to stay on the main roads. I travel here to commute to work each day, but I haven’t explored the heart of this city until recently.
I have a friend that’s house sitting in one of the beach houses, giving me the excuse to explore. The houses wrap around in a curve shape hugging the Puget Sound on one side, and a lake of some kind on the other. These houses are quaint, but cost enough to fund my tiny house dreams for years.
The time was 5:00pm, and the sky was putting on a show full of cotton candy clouds. The reflections had me enamored with the views. While walking to the nearby beach, I noticed an otter running up the road. I’m not sure where he was heading, perhaps the local supermarket, but he was clearly taking a break from the cold waters.
The otter was just the start of the National Geographic episode I found myself in. Minutes later while balancing on shore washed logs, and sipping on my very first La Croix I witnessed a pod of killer whales in the distance.
I almost didn’t notice the whales, but the steam like projections coming from the middle of the water gave them away. Washington is known for killer whale sightings, but I’d never seen them until then. They were too far for a photo, but the old faithful like streams shooting to the sky will forever be burned into my memory.
As if the otter and the whales weren’t enough to elicit a sense of navigating the wild, a bald eagle perched high in a tree caught my eye. He was also too far away to photograph, and nearly too far to see, but his white head among the dark branches gave away his location.
Split down the middle.
I’m not usually a beach person, but when they are close by I find myself getting lost in the sounds of the waves. The crashes against the shore in the darkening light bring a sense of peace to my soul like falling asleep in front of a warm fire on a cool autumn evening.
Next time you find yourself in need of being one with the wild, venture to an island and see what adventures you get yourself into.
Q: Ever seen a whale outside of the TV box? The zoo doesn’t count.
Blissfulbritt 
54 thoughts on “Port Madison, Bainbridge Island”
rootchopper
My wife (then girlfriend) took me whale watching off the coast of Gloucester Mass once. Once we cleared the calm waters of the harbor, the boat started going up and down, this way and that. I made my way to the rail. The whales were RIGHT THERE! So was my breakfast. The most miserable 3 hours of my life.
Brittany
Oh my goodness, HA! I’m sure she loved it!! That sounds intensely awesome.
rootchopper
The whales were pretty cool, but I seriously contemplated jumping overboard. The drunken boys from Brittain in the back of the boat didn’t bother to even lean over the rail. The crew just hosed them and the deck clear. Better to see orcas from the shore.
kathy @ more coffee, less talky
I saw that first pic on IG and nearly died – that’s such an incredible shot that i thought: hmmm… i kind of need to steal that for my blog (i didn’t but i thought about it LOL)
Brittany
BAHA, you are more than welcome to share. I totally died in real life. LEGIT views.
Angie
I saw some at Orcas Island, a mom and baby swimming near our boat. So cute!
Brittany
Awww the best!
benjaminpeach
Wow. Just wow. I’ve never been in national geographic episode like that. Very jealous! 😊
Brittany
It was epic!
Anthony
I went Whale watching in Saint Andrews New Brunswick–seriously high tide. It was awesome.
Brittany
Oh wow, how amazing.
Anthony
It was a fantastic trip. A tad cold, but we were given some warm gear. The whales were beautiful (majestic really) and the town is quite nice–a tad touristy, but not terribly so.
Rach @ This Italian Family
So amazing that you saw the killer whales! I’ve never seen one before!
Brittany
It was so cool. 🤗
Ellie
I have never seen a whale outside of TV. What a blessing that must’ve been. 🙂
Brittany
I hope to see some closer up next time!
gary
almost every day!
https://ilikemargarine.com/2013/01/13/3-miles-1341/
Brittany
Ha! Love that, thanks for sharing the post!
Amy
What an incredible experience!! (And truth be told, I’ve never had La Croix either… Just don’t spill my secret to other food bloggers — they’d die on the spot! 😉 ) When my mom and I went to Alaska, we had a similar experience, albeit on an ocean and glacier “cruise” tour around the area. We saw little penguins, all kinds of birds, bears, eagles, and even a whale. I think you would’ve loved it!
Brittany
Omg your experience is WAY better!! Penguins…I would die!! 😍
wanderwolf
Beautiful photos! Model cat. 🙂 seems like a really cool adventure!
Brittany
That cat is more photogenic than I am. Hahah.
wanderwolf
That’s saying a lot! You’re awesome photogenic!
Brittany
You’re too kind! ❤️
Allie Zottola
Whales are one of my favorite animals. They’re so majestic! I’m so glad you had such a nice National Geographic experience. Every one of your posts make me want to visit Washington more and more!
Brittany
It’s such a beautiful state my friend!
Jessica
Loved this post. Sadly, I have never seen a whale in real life. I just have to live vicariously through you!
Brittany
I’ll try to find more so I can snap a photo. 😝
GiGi Eats Celebrities
WTF YOU LIVE IN THE MOST MAJESTIC AF place EVER! Just Saying! I love that you don’t take it for granted at all…
As for whales, do the larger than life people on the beach count? JKKKKKK!!! But yes, I have seen whales in real life before – OUTSIDE of the zoo!
Brittany
Ahhhhhahahahah. 😂😂😂
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets
Not only do I love the sightings in this post, but I love the writing as well. You got me. I want to be there, for all of it, from the grocery shopping otter to the whales and the eagles straight through to the kitty at the fireplace.
Also Nature’s Bin is closing. My heart is broken.
Brittany
NOOOOOOO OMG!! I just died a little inside. I only got to explore its greatness once, I am so sad!
P
How does one get a job house sitting in a house located in a gorgeous place like THAT?? That is the life! Haha.
Was that the grapefruit flavor? I love the pomegranate one and coconut 😀
Brittany
Right!? Those people pay very well too. That flavor was good!
Josh dV
Beautiful pictures! I’ve seen whales and sharks and dolphins all during my time at sea. My favorite were the tuna boils though. Literally looked like the ocean was boiling!
Brittany
Oh my!
Amy @ A Desert Girl
Gorgeous! I imagine that those whales are awe-inspiring to see in person.
And I love the cat photo in front of the fireplace. :)!
Brittany
My baby is so photogenic.
omobtomtom
lucky girl!
Brittany
🤗🤗
Heather
I have seen a few whales! We went on a whale watching excursion in Hawaii and it was AMAZING!!! The whales got so close and they even had a baby!
Brittany
Omg that’s the best, so legit.
stubbsyblog
Amazing views! I love my little hills in England, but they don’t look half as dramatic as your beach and definitely don’t get killer Whales spouting in our rivers!
Brittany
I would love to explore the England hills!
stubbsyblog
If you ever visit Derbyshire let me know and I’ll show you round the amazing Peak District. Our version of a National Park (although probably only a 6th of the size of your huge ones I’d love to visit!). Or you have the Lake Districts which are stunning with very few big cities in there, another National Park, or Wales with its lovely mountains or of course can’t leave the Scots out without their highland mountains!
dave379
Love the 5 pm show alliteration line 🙂 And the picture above it. So far I’ve only seen the big blue whale hanging from the ceiling in the big room at the Museum of Natural History in NYC. Maybe one day I’ll see a real one! I have seen some awesome dolphins though down by Cape May while on a boat tour designed to help us see them.
Brittany
Ohhh I would love to see some dolphins!
stateeats
Wow, all that wildlife AND your first La Croix? I’d say that was a banner day – Kat
Brittany
Right?! I don’t think it’s possible to recreate such awesomeness.
Kayse
Oh goodness, this place looks amazing!!! So many critters. What a treat!
Brittany
It was splendid indeed!
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John and Katie
We saw what we think were a mama and baby grey whale while staying at Salt Creek Recreation Area near Port Angeles. It was awesome! Also, we LOVE Bainbridge Island and that whole area! We stayed at the state park for a couple of weeks this summer so I think that beach looks familiar! I don’t know how long they tend to nest in the same place but in the off chance it’s a while, there were bald eagles who would perch in the same trees at dusk every night at the Fay Bainbridge campground as well as about a five minute walk up the beach towards Mt. Rainier if you ever want to get a glimpse up close. 🙂
Brittany
Oh wow, grey whales!? That is so awesome. I loved going off the beaten path. 🤗