Having missed our usual January camping trip to Whidbey - due to my unexpected trip to Colorado, we changed our reservation to this - our birthday weekend. It was about noon on Fri. by the time we left in absolutely torrential rain! Just a mile before the Conway exit, I-5 north came to a total halt. We crept a few feet at a time for over 30-min. A semi-truck was overturned & beyond, traffic was moving again. It was a relief to take the turn to the island. We stopped first in Oak Harbor to visit
Seabolts for a late lunch. While we ate, it rained more, the sun briefly appeared & as we left a stunning double rainbow lit the sky!
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| We're here! |
We set up camp - all done just before dark. Soon to kick back & enjoy one of the best movies we've seen in a long while;
Bridge of Spies. Totally riveting & a based on a true story. Only once did we have to backtrack after being
buzzed by Navy Jets that about took the tops off the trees!
It rained off & on all night - Saturday morning dawned cloudy & foreboding - but dry! With our usual lack of
preparation, (thinking it would be a short hike :-) we put the dogs on their leashes & decided we'd hike
over to Cornet Bay & check out the cabin remodels that had been under way our last visit.
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| View from one of the Cabins at Cornet Bay |
Such a beautiful spot - the cabins turned out amazing! All modernized, with stainless steel appliances!
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| One of the newly remodeled cabins~ |
Since the weather was holding, we took the Discovery Trail.
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| Salmonberry bloom~ |
On our way, I found my first Salmonberry bloom of spring! A bit bedraggled by all the wind & rain, but such a bright spot of color on such a colorless day! The air was so fresh & it felt so good to be out & walking - after weeks of being sick.
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| The little Underpass |
Before we knew it -
were at the little underpass that takes you over to a trail to North
Beach! This can be such a secluded little beach & it was on this day. Lots of cars up in the parking area, but just a few people out on the trails, none on this beach.
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| The "Cutter Rock" heading under the Deception Pass bridge~ |
This was one of only two boats that we saw - what a beauty it was!
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| Great Blue Heron~ |
Right on the tip of shore, just under the bridge, was this Great Blue Heron. I had to zoom in to get this photo - grainy - but such an amazing looking bird. He finally flew off as the boat went by.
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| Rascal checks out a smell... |
Still not raining - so we climbed up to the base of the bridge & decided to take the perimeter trail back around to Cornet Bay.
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| Stunning trail~ |
Once we got away from the bridge & around the bluff, the noise of the highway faded - I love the quiet! We did run into a couple groups of hikers, everyone friendly & out doing what we were - enjoying time outside!
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| Looking at the end of Cornet Bay - where we'd started. |
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Very low tide & by now the wind was starting to pick up, just a drop or two of rain. The dogs were very patient waiting for me to take photos :-)
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| Nika & Rascal~ |
We were well past the mid-way point in our hike, we'd had a couple decent uphill climbs & I was still feeling OK!
Our Valentine gift was to see these early blooming currants - so pink & springlike against the red of the Madrona bark! The trail was lined with them!
On our way home Sunday, we stopped at what's become another of our favorite watering holes - the
Skagit River Brewery! If you haven't gone, Don't! We've been told that there are days you can't get in the door! It's a fairly small place with not only great beer, but good food too! We enjoyed their fresh out of the tap Blackberry Cider! A great end to our holiday weekend :-)
