Our class A motorhome is 35′. Behind it we tow a Jeep Grand Cherokee, for another 20ish feet for a total of 55 feet of vehicle length, give or take. Just getting in and out of a gas station unscathed feels like a major accomplishment. When I found out we could load the whole thing onto a ferry, it seemed insane. Turns out that for $89, we could take our family, our RV, and our car onto the ferry from Port Townsend to Coupeville, on Whidbey Island, and completely bypass the perimeter of Puget Sound and the very heavy traffic of Seattle. Adventure + missing traffic = priceless. Our reservation was for 11am and they say to get there 45 min early. We arrived at 9:45am and they told us there was still room on the 10:15am shuttle. Perfect! From the time we pulled into the parking lot until we got to other side was right at an hour and we were on our way again. Molly was allowed on the open air decks so we all got out to take pics and enjoy the experience that is the ocean. Ear flying, her little nose never stopped sniffing. Though I was hoping for whales, we didn’t see any wildlife other than seagulls. Though it was cloudy, the rain held back and we had a pleasant and easy ride.
Our route took us directly through Deception Pass State Park, so we pulled over for an extended picnic on the beach. We, that is Mark and I and Molly, all explored the beach again. We got our fill of the rocks, beach, and islands to photograph, when Mark spotted the navy fighters and helicopter that were doing carrier flight landings. He was mesmerized for another hour while I caught up on some work. We finally got back on the road. Until we crossed Deception Pass bridge. Then we had to park and take even more pictures. It is really a stunning area that begs to be photographed. Oh wait, it seems like everything feels like that up here. But it’s true! Look at this place! Islands, ocean, rocks and trees, a bridge, what more could you ask for?
We did eventually make it to our new site, Howard Miller Steelhead Park. It’s a grassy, wide open, park like, county campground at the base of North Cascades National Park. And, the perimeter is enclosed with, you guessed it, wild blackberries.
I am loving reading this monologue. I didn’t know you were such a talented writer! We camped at Deception Pass State Park last time we were on Whidbey – brought back fun memories. The ocean……….ahhhhh.
Ah, the ocean!!! No sound like it on earth. The salty smell, the wind, the sand between your toes. And to be surrounded by forests and see harbor seals and seagulls and bald eagles and cool rock formations, plus be at the ocean. Just WOW!!
Great post. I am especially like the helicopter at the end! This blog was a great idea.
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