Stardate 2016.764

The Deception Pass Classic Comes to an End
Day Two of our MS 150 ride came to a close fairly early in the day. We had procured a room at Oak Harbor on Whidbey Island for that evening and had the remainder of the day to enjoy our surrounds. Our first stop for the day was Anacortes, Washington, where we found an enchanting patch of high ground to observe water activity.


Anacortes is located on the northern end of Fidalgo Island. It's bound on the north by the Rosario Strait, on the east by Padilla Bay, on the south by Similk Bay and on the west by Burrows Bay. The San Juan Islands Archipelago is sprinkled about to the northwest. Access to the open waters of the Pacific Ocean is southwest via the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

The first boat to catch our eye was a tanker at anchor. This U.S. vessel is called the Polar Discovery. I think the ship was waiting its turn to dock.








Not real attractive, but quite necessary.



The following morning we commandeered a ferry from Coupeville, Whidbey Island, to Port Townsend on the Olympic Peninsula. Ferry rides are inexpensive and save lots of miles and petrol. Goodbye Whidbey, we'll be back. In the following pic, Mount Baker rises in the background.




Ferries passing in the day...




Welcome to Port Townsend. The peaks of Olympic National Park touch the sky in the background.




There's a lot of naval activity here. This is a telephoto shot across Port Townsend Bay.




Our ferry is about to drop us off in Port Townsend; then it's back for another load.




There's a lot of logging in the northwest, and this paper factory takes advantage of it.




I have more northwest to share; so check back in a few days.

Adios

Stardate 2014.633

Deception Pass

The ferry ride was short and lasted about a half-hour. Also, the ship appeared to be close to full. To buy time, anything from candy to draft beer could be purchased at an on-board convenience store. Snowcatcher and I preferred to stay out on the deck savoring the brisk sea breeze.





Some of Washington State’s bread and butter can be observed while being shuttled to Whidbey Island. For instance, a large shorefront logging mill as well as a huge boom used to move cargo on and off of large naval vessels. One-way passenger fees on this shuttle was between 3 and 4 dollars. Our fee for two passengers and one SUV rang-up around 16 dollars. In my opinion, the ferries are affordable conveniences often maximizing time. To drive around the southern end of Pugent Sound and back north would have cost us close to a tank of petrol and 40 dollars, give or take.



Soon after the boat started bearing north, we began to prepare for docking and our exit.



Once on Whidbey Island, we headed north through picturesque farm and forest land. I was actually surprised how many homes dotted the landscape. I guess I was expecting Gilligan’s Island or something. Oak Harbor was really bustling with activity. I didn’t realize until now that a military base was only a stone’s throw away. A short distance farther north and we reached our camp area at Deception Pass. At the pass proper, the bridges joining Whidbey Island to Fidalgo Island have walkways on each side. This allowed for some good photo shots from above the water.



The first Europeans to see this strait were Spanish explorers sailing under Manuel Quimper on the Princess Real. Joseph Whidbey of the George Vancouver expedition found and mapped the strait on 07 June 1792. It was named Deception because both Whidbey and Vancouver initially thought Whidbey Island to be a peninsula.



Fast tidal flows and large whirlpools may be seen from the bridges. We hiked the area while the tide was coming in. The water’s speed was awesome. Deception Pass has additional colorful history. If you ever have a spare minute, check it out.



Next stop, The North Cascades.

Adios