Tall Ships at Fort Casey

The Hawaiian Chieftain fires on the Lady Washington on June 13 at Fort Casey. The tall ships passed through Admiralty Inlet as part of the celebration of the 225th anniversary of Vancouver exploring Puget Sound in June of 1792.

There was a good crowd at the park to watch the ships put on their show.

The Lady Washington even fired on the Coupeville-Port Townsend ferry.

The ships continued south to Tacoma to be part of the 2017 Festival of Sail. You can see a list of the ships invited at http://festofsailtacoma.com/ships/. The red sailed Thane is at the center of the group above. Other ships invited include the Cutty Sark and Coupeville's very own Schooner Suva.

Fort Casey Historical State Park

This view from near the park ranger office gives an idea of the role of Fort Casey on Whidbey Island. Along with forts on the Olympic Peninsula, Fort Casey was to protect Puget Sound from war ships. It has a great view of Admiralty Inlet. Built in the late 1800s, it was active until the 1940s.

Fort Casey State Park

Mt. Rainier is in the distance. This photo is from the end of July.

Admiralty Head Lighthouse, Fort Casey State Park

The lighthouse looks great with its recent touch up of paint.

Fort Casey State Park

It is unusual to be able to see both ferries on the Coupeville - Pt. Townsend run with part of Ft. Casey in the foreground.

This photo is from the end of July.

Above and Below the Salish Sea

While ferry passengers make they way to Port Townsend, divers prepare to explore the depths of the sea.

Coupeville Port Townsend Ferry

The ferry took a zig zag course to Port Townsend, avoiding the many small fishing boats. Fort Casey is in the foreground with the Olympics peeking through the clouds.

Fort Casey State Park and Mount Rainier

Fort Casey State Park and Olympic Mountains

Another beautiful place on Whidbey Island to enjoy a sunny afternoon.

Admiralty Head Lighthouse

Fort Casey State Park, Whidbey Island.

Fort Casey Protection

This recent photo from Fort Casey gives an idea of the protection the fort was to give to the lower Puget Sound. Port Townsend and the Olympic Mountains are in the distance.

Admiralty Head Lighthouse, Fort Casey State Park

Mt. Baker from Fort Casey State Park

Mt. Baker is seen from above an old munition storage area just beyond the entrance to the park.  In the foreground is Crockett Lake.

Fort Casey State Park

A beautiful day for a picnic at Fort Casey State Park, Whidbey Island.  Across the strait are Port Townsend and the Olympic Mountains.

Olympic Mountains, Fort Casey State Park

A recent view of the Olympic Mountains from Fort Casey State Park on central Whidbey Island.

Mt. Baker from Fort Casey State Park

This is the view from the ridge near the guns mounted at the east most edge of Fort Casey State Park, above the camp ground.  In the foreground is the ferry at the Coupeville (Keystone) dock.  In the midground is Crockett Lake.

View from Port Townsend Ferry

A group of us took the ferry to Port Townsend for a photography jaunt.  The return ferry had to head farther west than usual to avoid a freighter.  I was glad as my favorite Mt. Baker came into view over Fort Casey, with the Admiralty Head Lighthouse on the right and the officer housing (Camp Casey) on the left.  It doesn't take long for the smog to accumulate, as can be seen by the bands of it above the mountain.

Camp Casey, Whidbey Island, WA

Seattle Pacific University owns the housing area of Fort Casey.  Shown here is the Colonel's house.  Also shown is part of the parade ground, now used for soccer camps and other special events such as kite flying groups.

This again shows the Colonel's house, the BOQ and the faculty house.

This is the alumni house. 

Foggy Fort Casey, Whidbey Island

Mt. Rainier begins to show as the fog evaporates on a sunny day on Whidbey Island.  No matter the day or the weather, there are always people enjoying Fort Casey State Park.

Fort Casey, Whidbey Island

This was the scene at Fort Casey on July 6, 2011.  The spring had been so gray, I was excited to experience the sunshine again.