Today, 17 Senior Trailblazers headed south of Bellingham to Skagit County's Deception Pass State Park. We had a 20% chance of rain, but instead of rain we had clouds, full overcast, all day long. This made for some dramatic pictures, though, as you will see here (click to enlarge). The entire hike ended up being a little more than 8 miles and, although we never got more than 700 feet above sea level, went UP and DOWN for a total elevation gain of 1,500 feet. No wonder I'm tired. The above picture shows Deception Pass Bridge that joins Whidbey Island to Fidalgo Island. From a
travel agency's website:
In the spring of 1792, Joseph Whidbey, master of the HMS Discovery and Captain Vancouver's chief navigator, sailed through the narrow passage that is now called Deception Pass and proved that it was not really a small bay as charted by the Spaniards (hence the name "Deception"), but a deep and turbulent channel that connects the Strait of Juan de Fuca with the Saratoga Passage.
While we were there today, it was smooth as glass, no turbulence at all. First, we headed up past Pass Lake, a fairly large freshwater lake, to an old abandoned orchard. Once we got there, we saw an old tree with a couple of makeshift swings in it. Mike was willing to swing on the tree so I could snap his picture. We all know Mike is still a kid at heart.
Next, we headed over to Lighthouse Point for lunch, it being near noon and all, which showed us some of the miles and miles of the State Park's shoreline. We walked along this lovely beach to reach the point on the other side of these trees.
Although there was no lighthouse at Lighthouse Point (only a small beacon), we found this beautiful spot for us to have a nice lunch. We looked out over Bowman Bay, watching seals (which I was unable to capture with my camera), birds, and humans in boats. The only annoyance of the entire day was the jet flights from the nearby naval base, which made me wish I had my earplugs!
After lunch, we headed back to the Bowman Bay parking lot and stashed our packs while we walked another mile or so to Rosario Point. By this time the clouds had begun to lift over the Olympic Mountains across the water, and I saw this low cloudbank light up, with the mountains behind, and I could not believe my luck. Hopefully you will see how gorgeous this shot is, if you enlarge it.
This area is now known as part of the Salish Sea, which I wrote about a while back
here, if you're interested in a little more information about this area. (There are maps and information about why it's called that.) Tired and happy, we piled into our cars and headed home, and I walked in the door, kissed Smart Guy, and started this post. Now I can have that wine! Thanks for coming along with me to Deception Pass.
:-)
Beautiful scenery! I admire your energy and fitness...8 miles up and down hill!
ReplyDeleteYour group including yourself walking up and down like this – I would not call it a Senior Group – you sound more like an adolescent group. Yesterday my husband and I walked on the grounds of a park at the Emory University in Atlanta for about 2 hours. I came back home exhausted and my knees really hurting. You are all quite fit. The pictures are lovely and the scenery of the last pic is quite spectacular.
ReplyDeleteThose last two photos are breathtaking. I can't begin to imagine how awesome it must feel to see that view in person. It would be a humbling and overwhelming experience.
ReplyDeleteRae said first what I was thinking...the scenery is awesomely breathtaking. Gad, I'm almost jealous of your hikes and so wish I could participate. :D I would have been standing in line behind Mike to hop on the swing as soon as he got off.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to be a part of a group like yours - and thank you for sharing part of what you experienced. Love the grays with the white peaks in the last photo.
ReplyDeleteWow..that scenery is STUNNING. You must be exhausted but I am sure it is a wholehearted satisfying kind of tired! It is a part of the country I would love to see someday...it looks so perfect, almost to the point of looking fake. ha
ReplyDeleteI have read about Whidbey Island..it sounds like an interesting place. Your Photos are excellent, and that last shot is stunning. Thanks for the adventure! It looks warmer there too, except for the snow on top of the mountains:)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures!! How do you do it? It makes me feel tired and old just reading!! I want your energy!!
ReplyDeleteAll of the photos are gorgeous. You really are blessed to live in an area with so much unspoiled natural beauty. There's nothing quite like mountains, particularly when they are surrounding water.
ReplyDeleteThe next to last photo is breathtaking. I love the layers and the varying shades of blue.
Thank you, as always, for letting us tag along.
That was a busy day of hiking, you deserve that glass of wine. Your photos are beautiful as is the area. The last two photos remind me of places in Alaska.
ReplyDelete