Seven months ago, I traded the 100-degree summers and below-freezing winters of the Okanogan Valley for the mild weather conditions of the Kitsap Peninsula.

And I am so glad I did.

This time last year, covering wildfires in and around Okanogan County was always front page news for local newspapers.

They were popping up everywhere, sometimes two or three at a time.

Some fires would go for days and even weeks, and stories about the fire would go on for weeks if it had a local impact.

They would start by either a careless camper or nature’s lightning in the least expected place and within a mattter of hours they would consume acres of land and forest.

It was amazing all the local, state and federal resources it would take to extinguish an out-of-control raging wildfire, especially in the moun- tainess region of Central Washington.

But I am enjoying a less eventual time in South Kitsap.

The hardest thing for me has been getting familar with all the streets and roads throughout the South Kitsap. Since I haven’t invested in a GPS, I am relying on Google maps and good directions to get me to a lot or places.

While covering city government and the school board can keep a person busy, there is plenty of time to enjoy the Port Orchard water- front, South Kitsap Regional Park, local restuarants or other places within Kitsap County.

The people in Port Orchard and South Kitsap have been great to work with. Thanks and continue to send the Independent emails and letters about local happenings and events in your local community.

I want to hear from you, so call me at 360-876-4414, ext. 5050, or email me at doliveaux@portorchardindependent.com.