General notes:

• Master files: the Google Maps version (no topo or FAA sectional data overlays; contains critical airport & airspace elements) will work for everybody;
  I recommend the Google Earth file (topo & FAA sectional data embedded), which is more useable and contains more options (the network linked topo & FAA data may lag your display)
• the icons & labels should be pretty self-explanatory, yell if you need a translation
• click on the photo thumbnails to get a larger version (some of the panoramas are large! (magnify if possible))
• I did not go upriver to check around the Lyman site
• site parameters

• not a stop, but a waypoint I marked as I headed N on I-5 to Mt Vernon
• lots of open land to the N & E
• Skagit River & I-5 are problems
• close-ish to Stop_12 & Stop_13

• this was the first actual stop, and I was totally jazzed at the overall area, even though the fields here are seasonal instead of grass

• very, very promising
• nice road access to the NE
• no breeze at all the day I was there
• grass to the NNE, seasonal crops elsewhere
• very little traffic

• not a stop, but a waypoint I marked as I headed S on Chuckanut Dr.
• lots of open land to the W

• OMG! grass everywhere
• moderate onshore breeze
• just outside 5 mile standoff from Skagit/BayView airport
• very little traffic

• ditto above, without the power lines, with a small ditch

• inside 5 mile standoff from Skagit/BayView airport
• moderate onshore breeze
• moderate traffic
• beautiful stretch of pasture

• ditto above, with track access

• not a stop, but a waypoint I marked as I headed S on Farm Market Rd.
• nice field to the SW

• inside 5 mile standoff from Skagit/BayView airport
• inside NAS Whidbey Class C airspace
• moderate onshore breeze
• too close to very busy Hwy 20
• industry across road to the E

• inside 5 mile standoff from Skagit/BayView airport
• inside NAS Whidbey Class C airspace
• moderate onshore breeze
• beautiful stretch of pasture

• just outside 5 mile standoff from Skagit/BayView airport
• inside NAS Whidbey Class C airspace
• winds calmer
• very little traffic

• outside 5 mile standoff from Skagit/BayView airport
• just outside NAS Whidbey Class C airspace
• very little traffic
• moderate onshore breeze

• outside 5 mile standoff from Skagit/BayView airport
• just inside NAS Whidbey Class C airspace
• very little traffic
• moderate onshore breeze

Thoughts:

• we need clarity on airstrips/private airports and the FAA standoff; my inclination is to stay 5+ miles from airports, but use FAR 101.22 (b) to potentially include airstrip airspace
• the westerly sites are more prone to seasonal flooding and seasonal onshore winds, but larger in area
• the Butler Flat area is more protected from wind & flooding, but also has more structures around; it's also clear of airspace restrictions
• I didn't find any specific fields with easy interior vehicle access or obvious parking
• lots of the fields are in seasonal agriculture, but there are many in hay/grass
• although a bit hindered by airspace considerations, this area has immense potential; it's far larger overall than any other area I've found in the Puget Sound, and after a initial survey, I think we should check further
• I'm partial to Spot 1, 4/5, 12/13, and checking the new Chuckanut2 & FirIsland2 spots
• Skagit County plat finder (IE only)