Nature at Deception Pass

Hike #4-Deception Pass Day 2

We love Best Westerns! We know what to expect, love the free continental breakfast and the kids love the pools whether indoor, outdoor, big or small and also the hot tub! So we had breakfast and the kids and dad took a long swim while I took a nap then we packed up. Everyone was tired and no one wanted to take another hike on this trip. I wanted to do the Lighthouse Point Trail, Bowman Bay and Rosario Trail, but that's for next time. Since we were so close to Anacortes, we decided to take the ferry through the San Juans and stop in Friday Harbor for an ice cream cone instead.

Of course, we have this weird thing about making the ferry at the very last minute, and this trip was no different! We were hoping to make the 2pm boat and bought our tickets at 1:58pm...you see the family RUNNING up the passenger walk and we were the very last people on the boat...we departed just minutes after setting foot on the upper deck!

What a gorgeous day...the ride is 65 minutes each way...everyone LOVED it. The fog was so heavy in the morning that boats were delayed but by afternoon it was clear and sunny. John and I have made quite a contribution to the ferry system this summer!

The last photo is an old wreck overgrown with trees...I can't remember the name of the boat repair shop but it is on the main road to the ferry terminal in Anacortes...interesting!

Hike #4-Deception Pass

What a spectacular day! The weather, gorgeous AGAIN...not too hot so no bugs! We had a leisurely start and got up to the Deception Pass Bridge about 1:30pm on Saturday. Shockingly, we arrived in only 70 minutes from home! I thought it would take 2 hours to go up through Mt Vernon and across Fidalgo Island. We decided to walk across the bridge-both ways, both sections. Awesome beauty...looks like some of the shots are from an airplane! And every photo looks great because the vistas can't be beat!

After the bridge, we drove around the campgrounds at Cranberry Lake and then over to the West Beach parking lot (packed!) where we took a trail to North Beach. Kids LOVE the mini-waves and the view of the bridge from the beach was incredibly picturesque.

We stayed at a hotel for one night and enjoyed their pool before bed. The kids LOVE the pool and intend to swim again before we check-out. Daniel was concerned he wouldn't be able to sleep (last year at Icicle Inn he couldn't sleep) but he was SOUND asleep before I could even ask him if he brushed his teeth!

We're heading back to Deception Pass State Park tomorrow for a hke along Rosario Point, Lighthouse Point and Lottie Point which is on the other side of the channel and I can only guess more sand and water action! When I look at all these photos I realize why I'm so tired tonight!