Dishman Hills and Mt Spokane Hikes

Dishman Hills Natural Area, adjacent to Camp Caro Community Park, is 530 acres of dramatically sculpted rocky hills and ponds with areas of grasses mixed pine and fir forest, aspen groves, views, and a profusion of wildflowers every spring. Dishman Hills has been protected as a natural area for over 30 years, serving as habitat for wildlife and as a passive recreational resource with miles of designated trails.

Another hike we decided to try was up Mt Spokane. There were quite a few trails. I think we picked the up trail.

The cabin was built and used by the CCC. Pass though both forest and meadow on the way to this heritage site on the aptly named Beauty Mountain within Mount Spokane State Park. During the Great Depression, this was the summer spike camp of Company 949 of the Civilian Conservation Corps, voted the best of the nation's CCC camps.

Sometimes you have to find a way to get where you want to get. It was worth it once we got to our destination.

North Cascades

We camped at Newhalem Campground and were glad to be in the park and not have to drive in.

Many believe the Easy Pass and Fisher Basin area to be one of the most superb places in the North Cascades. Extensive meadows are crowned by glacial peaks. The short, steep trail to the pass is anything but "easy." The views, however, are your reward: panoramic vistas of Fisher Basin and Mounts Logan, Fisher, and Arriva

Leaving Bremerton to kayak Anacortes

We always enjoy getting on the Washington State Ferry to go somewhere. It is sad to leave the Kitsap Peninsula. But more to be seen

Deception Pass State Park is a 4,134-acre marine and camping park with 77,000-feet of saltwater shoreline, and 33,900-feet of freshwater shoreline on three lakes. Rugged cliffs drop to meet the turbulent waters of Deception Pass. The park features breath-taking views, old-growth forests, abundant wildlife, and sand dunes. The park is well-loved for its spectacular views of shoreline, mountains, islands, and sunsets. It was a foggy day that we were there but the campground looks great.

Anacortes is homeport to the San Juan Islands in the Pacific Northwest. Located on Fidalgo Island, it is conveniently situated halfway between Seattle and Vancouver BC and is the destination point for the San Juans and International ferry runs for Washington State.

We took the full day kayak trip out to Burrows Island to see the lighthouse and caught the tide on the wrong way on the way back. 2 hours would have been good. We were tired puppies when we got back to our little WA state campground on the edge of town.

Mt Baker peeking out in the background.

Olympic Discovery Adventure Trail & Salt Creek

The Adventure portion of the Olympic Discovery Trail runs from the west side of the Elwha River (west of Port Angeles) to the east end of Lake Crescent, where it connects with the Spruce Railroad Trail, and then continues west toward Forks and La Push.

This trail is primarily for Mountain biking and horses. We only saw a couple of other bikers the day we were here.

It is a pretty good climb out of the trailhead but rolls once you reach the top. What a great day.

Salt Creek Recreation Area County Park has national park aesthetics, with County Park amenities. The 196-acre Park includes upland forests, rocky bluffs, rocky tide pools, sand beach, Salt Creek access, campsites, and panoramic views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Crescent Bay, and Vancouver Island, British Columbia

Sequim, WA

Sequim is a great place to spend the weekend since it’s the driest spot in western Washington, getting just 18” of rain each year. (You can thank the Olympic Rain Shadow for the dry weather.) We would walk Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge, which is home to more than 250 species of endangered birds, fish, and mammals.

There is a great campground just above the spit without hookups but a great place to watch the ships pass by.

We happened to be here for the Lavender Festival and enjoyed a bike ride along the water and found a great farmer's market with lots to take back with us.

We could return here and spend much more time. When we rode our bikes along the Discovery Trail and ended up In town with a flat tire, so many people would stop and visit with us. We met several couple at a downtown coffee shop that had moved from Colorado.

Mt Rainier

An active volcano, Mount Rainier is the most glaciated peak in the contiguous U.S.A., spawning six major rivers. Subalpine wildflower meadows ring the icy volcano while ancient forest cloaks Mount Rainier’s lower slopes. So we decided to take a hike even if it is raining.

We stayed on the south part of the park this time.

There were more people from Asia on this trail today than we had seen before. Hardy hikers.

Once we got up the hill, it was good to wander and let you mind take you away.

Seabeck, WA

Located on the western shores of the Kitsap Peninsula, Seabeck is a charming, historic waterfront community with scenic water and mountains views, beach access year-round.

Living on the water makes a person aware of the tides and the affects on the wildlife. When there is a big tide, the eagles come out to feed. We drove the short distance to Seabeck as the tide was expected to be very negative. And the Bald Eagles were out.

Between the starfish and eagles the clams don't have a chance, which the local residents of Seabeck really don't appreciate. Lots of clammering for the clams.

Fort Worden and Whidbey Island

One of our favorite places to camp in Fort Worden in Port Townsend. There is a lighthouse and we would watch the ships sail by. You can see the cruise ships in the distance and an occasional submarine with escort sail by. We spent afternoons sitting in the sand just daydreaming and talking. Port Townsend does allow overnight stays in its visitor center parking lot for no charge and is across the street from Safeway.

In the morning, we would ride our bikes back to the ferry to go to Whidbey Island. Coupesville is a great stop. Coupeville, the “town of Sea Captains” is the second oldest town in Washington State.

Washington state has so much to offer. No wonder I want to return.

Seattle, WA

The Washington State Ferry System is a great way to spend the day, even if all I do is ride back and forth across Puget Sound. It never gets old.

The ride takes an hour. We would either walk on or ride our bikes but have taken our vehicle across.

Seattle has quite an expensive cost of living. Many people commute from Bremerton every morning to the city. The ladies often are putting on their makeup and fixing their hair in the restrooms during the crossing.

On this day, we rode our bikes to the Ballard Locks which is one of Seattle’s most popular tourist attractions, especially during the sunny months. The grounds also feature a fish ladder and the Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Garden. The Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, opened in 1917 and often nicknamed the Ballard Locks, provides a link for boats between the salt water of Puget Sound and the fresh water of the Ship Canal, which connects eastward to Lake Union and Lake Washington. Then we were on to Gasworks Park. After a day in the city, getting on the ferry and heading home I find myself dozing off.

Port Orchard, WA

One of my favorite bike rides while living in Bremerton was out of Port Orchard. We would ride along Puget Sound thru Manchester to the Ferry Port in Southward.

We could take the small boat from Bremerton to Port Orchard but it was easier to park in PO. We would often pass cycling clubs from Seattle that would take the ferry over and ride to Bremerton and return by ferry.

It was fun to watch the clams spitting water when the tide was out. People would wave as we rode by.

Manchester State Park looks like a great place to camp. We would stop there sometimes just to wander. The mornings can be chilly but dress warm.