Anacortes, part 4... Fun on Whidbey Island and more exceptional hikes

 

A tranquil pond along the Lighthouse Trail in Deception Pass State Park

Roger here....  We had a series of wonderful days after the whale watching excursion.  The days always bring new fun and scenic adventures.

WHIDBEY ISLAND --- GREENBANK FARM

On this day we crossed the bridge at Deception Pass onto Whidbey Island and drove south for about 30 miles.  

Greenbank Farm was a loganberry farm for many years.  It evolved into a tranquil setting for many endeavors.  The great news for Bandido and Poquita was that dogs were welcomed throughout the property.

So many things to see and do...where to begin?  

It was late morning, too early for wine tasting (although people were indeed tasting wine).  Hey! Let's eat lunch.  But what should we have?  Dianne suggested homemade strawberry/rhubarb pie from the pie shop.

 We ate at a table next to a relaxing pond.

After lunch an inviting path invited us to wander through an informal garden.

The garden was filled with informative placards and brightly colored flowers.

After walking through the garden, we explored the other buildings on the property before donning our hiking boots and exploring the acres of trails.  Near the trailhead, an array of solar panels provided the energy needed to operate the farm. 

They also had an electric car charging station -- D.

The trails started at the bottom of a large hill. 

We quickly climbed to a panoramic view of the farm and Puget Sound in background.

Eventually we followed the maze of open trails into a pine forest.  The morning fog had burned off so the shade was welcome.

Bandido and Poquita love hiking.  This was a special place for them because they were allowed to be off-leash.  Bandido with his herding instincts always checked to be sure that "the herd" (meaning us) was intact.  We were a little worried about how Poquita would react around other dogs so we kept her on leash until we were in the pine forest.  She is such a spaz.  Dianne took a short video of them in their glory.

We had spent two hours in this laid-back place.  However, Dianne needed to make a stop at the cheese shop for jam and honey (oh, and in the wine shop for some Wine-Away) before we moved on.

WHIDBEY ISLAND --- SPOILED DOG WINERY

Purchases made, we drove further south on the island in search of the Spoiled Dog Winery.  How could we not love a winery with that name?

Due to covid restrictions all of the wine sampling took place in an outdoor setting.  Fine with us!  What a pleasant setting!

The wine orders were placed at a window.  We each ordered a flight to sample...

... while our spoiled dogs lounged next to our table.

FIDALGO ISLAND --- DECEPTION PASS STATE PARK

On another day we drove back to Deception Pass State Park, but this time we stayed on the Fidalgo Island side of the bridge.

We hiked the "Lighthouse" Trail.  It was one of our more challenging treks.  We hiked up a rocky trail and then down the other side to get to this quiet beach.  We then forced our way up the trail on the other side of the beach.  Up and down,  up and down --- the theme of the day, but the views were so worth the effort.

This trail featured views of the iconic bridge from different angles.

The view of the "lighthouse" was amazing as seen in the photo below.

Lighthouse?  What lighthouse?  If there was a lighthouse on this trail, we certainly did not find it.  I am renaming the trail the Phantom Lighthouse Trail.

ANACORTES --- TWO TRAILS (ONE PARKING LOT)

On yet another day we drove to the ferry terminal near Anacortes.  Both of the hikes which began there  were flat, paved and easy to negotiate.

The Ship Harbor Trail highlighted views of the ferry terminal and placards that highlighted the plant life and history of the harbor.

Dianne took a video of one of the ferries leaving the dock.

The trail also provided a boardwalk through a marsh and ever-present blackberries.  Dianne had a feast.

The Guemes Channel Trail was essentially a mile-long paved walkway adjacent to the Guemes Channel.  

A surprise awaited us at the turn-around point of the in-and-out hike.  In the distance we saw an unusual rock formation.  

Look at the right side of the picture. Is that the bow of a boat?

As we got closer, we remarked that it looked like a boat.  When we were almost there we decided that it really looked like a boat.  And it was.

The la Merced was originally a schooner.  It was first launched in 1917.  When it was retired, it was filled with sand and land-locked next to a small harbor as a buffer to protect that harbor.  And yes, those are trees growing out of the deck of the boat.

We will be traveling a short distance to Bellingham for our next post.  

PET PICTURES OF THE DAY...

While off-leash at Greenbank Farm, Bandido found, and latched onto, a ball.  He was so pleased with himself.

This is MY ball!  It belongs to ME!

At the Spoiled Dog Winery Dianne put on a mask and went into the building to check out the merchandise.  She left us.  The picture below shows our spoiled dogs' reaction.  Poquita was upset because she always wants to be with Dianne.  Bandido was upset because the pack was separated.  After all, it was his job to keep us all together.