More Anacortes Kayaking

3 harbor seals showing off for lunch as we paddle out of the marina



kayak selfie



Here's the view at kayak level



3 on the sea



Oldest WA lighthouse on the westernmost tip of Burrows Island, facing onto Rosario Strait. This light began working for the first time in 1906.  It started out with lighthouse keepers, but these days it is all automated but still shines bright.

The lighthouse buildings on Burrows Island

Just a beautiful day on the water with friends

A flock of kayaks

A kayak's eye view of the beautiful San Juans

Anacortes Kayaking, WA Dreaming

Here you see the tip of Burrows Island, just off from Anacortes, WA.  That was our kayaking destination.  There were 7 of us on a 3 hour guided tour - if you know Gilligan's Island then you might understand my beginner's momentary hesitation.

This island covers more than 400 acres and stands just off Fidalgo Island, facing Rosario Strait.  In 1905, prompted by the loss of several vessels, a new lighthouse was built.  It is the oldest in WA; it was first lit in April, 1906.  Employing keepers for decades, it is still a working, but now automated, lighthouse.  That was our destination after launching from the Anacortes marina.  It was a grand day and an exciting nature adventure.  Normally we hike, but today our legs rested and our arms worked.




Here's another look at the island from Washington Park, which is right in Anacortes.  Washington Park Link



Just at the end of the marina we sighted 3 harbor seals.  They were eating yummy salmon being thrown off the end of a fishing boat.  They swam confident and intent on their lunch feast.

As we continued paddling along the length of Burrows Island, our guide Tucker had in mind the best point for us to make the dash across from the Anacortes side of the channel to the Island so we would have to dodge the fewest fishing boats and speed boats underway.  At first nosing the front of the kayak into the oncoming wake seemed challenging, but soon we were enjoying the little waves.

This fishing boat has the distinction of the Olympic mountains as its backdrop.



We did not have to dodge any of the San Juan ferries.  I'll leave that to you who are more advanced kayakers.  But they did make a pretty scene in the distance as they ferried on between San Juan islands.

On our fun paddle to the lighthouse we saw lots of birds including a juvenile bald eagle.  We know that one was less than 4 years old because his signature white headfeathers weren't there yet.  We also saw 2 adult bald eagles high in the fir trees, but fortunately they sat on branches stripped of needles so we could see them.

We also saw jellyfish, and a school of very silvery fish, and a starfish.  And the lighthouse looked very cool from the water.

 

We also saw this Black Oystercatcher.  These amazing birds can dive 290 feet deep to feast on oysters

 

 

 

 



We worked up a healthy appetite, so we picnicked on the rock beach at nearby Washington Park.  I was glad I didn't have to dive 290 feet down for my lunch, I just took the stairway down from the trail.



You can see what a beautiful, Northwest day it was to be on the water.  In the distance you see part of the San Juans.



Beauty in every direction.



Enjoying nature.  When do we go kayaking again, we're ready!



And a good time was had by all!



Anacortes, we'll be back.

Centennial Picnic

The Centennial Trail in Snohomish County, WA was made as part of a national initiative "Rails to Trails", making a nationwide network of trails from former rail lines.  You'll just love this scarcely used trail that is comfortable for hiking, biking, and horse riding.  And it's ideal for picnicking by the river side!  All this beauty and tranquility just 30 miles northeast of Seattle.



The beautiful Snohomish river meanders along part of the Centennial Trail.  This is a portion near the Pilchuk trailhead.  Berry bushes are nearby along the river and along the trail.  They're almost ready for picking, and you'll have easy access to fill your buckets and baskets.

Look just past the picnic basket into the river.  We were pleasantly interrupted by local rafters floating along the peaceful river.

The trail stretches 29 miles from Snohomish to Nakashima Farm, north of Arlington, WA. My favorite is to ride bikes from Snohomish to Lake Cassidy for a picnic and dangle toes in the water before riding back.  The views include forests, lots of farms and ranches with agricultural land, and parallel to pretty little small towns.  To see more information about this treasure, see this link - http://centennialtrail.com/

So many exciting sites just around the bend on the Centennial Trail for you to discover.

Contented Si on the Trail

Little Si is a mountain near North Bend, Washington.  It's on the western side of the Cascade range.  It was made famous in the show Twin Peaks, which was filmed in North Bend.

Little Si, and much bigger sibling Mount Si are named after homesteader Josiah "Uncle Si" Merritt who built a cabin at the base of the peak in 1862.  He raised vegetables and hogs and kept an orchard. He had a Native American wife but when his other spouse, 'Aunt Sally' as the settlers called her, arrived from the east, the Native American wife returned to her tribe.  "Uncle Si" was also known for playing the fiddle.



Separated by a little valley, Little Si stands next to larger Mount Si.  It has a different trailhead and is known for its own beautiful trails and also challenging rock climbing and bouldering.  My friends and I were out for a hike on this Saturday.

Little Si has an elevation of 1,576 feet (480 m).

This sheer cliff attracts adventurous rock climbers.

Here in the center of the picture you can just see the gleam of a hanging rope

Here's a party of 3, ready to go straight up

Further discussion, strategizing, and testing before the journey begins

Here's our June day near Seattle, but the weather didn't deter us

A scattering of climbers around the top of the moderate trail to the top of Little Si

A sigh of contentment at the peak of Little Si.  I did it!

A lovely look into the distance




Enjoying the view?

Or is this something more sinister?



No, nothing sinister here.  All's well that ends well on Little Si

Lund's Gulch - The Baby Salmon Are Hatching

Visitors to Lund's Gulch, a Snohomish County Park, are first greeted with sweeping views of the northern Puget Sound. Starting on top of the little cliff, you can see for miles, especially on this sunny Memorial Day. This view shows the Olympic Peninsula in the distance.




Lund's Gulch is a beautiful park right in the middle of the suburbs of Lynnwood, just about 20 miles north of Seattle. In 1878, early pioneer John Lund homesteaded Lund’s Gulch.



In 1968, Snohomish County acquired 114 acres of Lund’s Gulch. How fortunate we are to have this beautiful park right in our neighborhood.



Since 1996 the City of Lynnwood, in partnership with the Brackett's Landing Foundation and Snohomish County, has purchased over 77 acres in Lund’s Gulch with Snohomish County Conservation Futures Program funds to protect the sensitive areas and wildlife habitat from impacts of development, and to preserve this undisturbed natural area in public ownership.



Here's the Ranger's sign showing the different salmon, and cautioning not to disturb the spawning fish, and the surrounding wildlife. The gulch empties right into the Puget Sound, and makes a peaceful spot for the salmon to spawn. Now it's spring and the baby salmon (called Fry) are hatching.



Here's the pretty gulch.



Here's the easy trail.  You have to walk down from the top of the cliffs on the paved trail about 400 feet through a mature forest of Douglas fir, so going back up hill is a bit of a climb, but very manageable. Once you reach beach level, you're on forested trails like this.  If you're looking for a long day hike, you're in the wrong spot.  This is a pretty walk, almost 3 miles, and plenty of beach to play on.



A mass of yellow flowers along the way.



And also flowers that are going to turn into berries this summer.



Here's the great, family park grounds, and just on the far side is the entry onto the beach.



See the beautiful sunshine through the tree tops on the trail that is alongside the bubbling gulch. This walk is dedicated to my friend George, G-man. He was a wonderful friend to me and to many; he always made you feel good. I always looked forward to hearing from George. An ever-loyal 12th man, a fisherman, such a good person and family man. A Marine who passed away on Memorial Day, far too soon. George, you are missed.