On the Beach

A few images from a recent beach walk.

Lighthouse Point Trail

Sunday, December 29, was so beautiful I went to Deception Pass State Park and hiked the Lighthouse Point Trail. I noticed the paddle boarder and later saw him circling Deception Island.

The views from the trail are amazing and the trail itself is inspiring.

Mt Baker

Today's view of Mt Baker over Dugualla Bay, Whidbey Island.

Oak Harbor, Washington

The view on Christmas Day, 2019, with Mt. Erie in the background.

Oak Harbor Marina

Mt. Baker dominates the horizon over the Oak Harbor Marina in this photo from Christmas Day, 2019.

Cascade Mountains

The Cascade Mountains catch late afternoon sun on Christmas Day. Maylor's Point and Camano Island are in the foreground.

Oak Harbor, Washington

One of my favorite views of Oak Harbor with Mt. Baker on the horizon. This photo was taken Christmas Day, 2019.

Christmas Day: Oak Harbor

The skies cleared this afternoon revealing the North Cascades with new snow in this view from the west side of Oak Harbor.

Christmas Day: Mt. Baker

Mt. Baker was showing off its steam plume this afternoon in this view from Oak Harbor.

Christmas Day Hike: Ebey Bluff Loop Trail

I parked at the Prairie Overlook and headed along the Ridge Trail to the Ebey Bluff.

At the bluff, I followed the bluff trail to the west. This is looking back east toward Ft Casey.

Perego's Lake came into view as I continued west along the bluff.

The trail descends to the beach at the west end of the loop. The view is to the east.

This view is west at the base of the trail to the beach.

Looking back to the west as I continued east along the beach part of the trail. Can you spot the switchbacks on the bluff?

Having reached the east end of the loop at Ebey's Landing State Park, I headed back west along the ascending bluff trail.

The complete hike was 5.18 miles. Even on an overcast day when the Olympics, Cascades and Mt. Baker were not visible, it was a refreshing hike.

Maryhill State Park

The park is along the Columbia near Goldendale, WA. It is near the Maryhill Museum and the Goldendale Observatory. 

Twin Sisters

Southwest of where the Snake and Columbia Rivers converge are two basalt pillars. While they are evidence of flooding erosion, there is also a legend associated with them involving a coyote and sisters. 

The views of the Columbia River from the top of the hill (not the pillars) are great. This one is to the west.

This view is to the east, to the confluence of the Snake and Columbia Rivers. Yes, that's my car down there.

Morning Olympics

A December morning view from Oak Harbor.

The Mountain is Out

I walked the beach trail along Oak Harbor Bay this morning and was happy to see Mt. Rainier. Yes, those are whitecaps. The wind was chilly! And yes, that is an eagle on the channel marker. 

Umatilla Rock

Umatilla Rock is downstream from Dry Falls in the Grand Coulee. It is more evidence of the great flood that came through here thousands of years ago. One can hike around it but we were pressed for time so skipped the hike.

Dry Falls State Park

Near the end of the last ice age, an ice dam broke in what is now Montana releasing the lake captured behind it. The resulting flood scoured eastern Washington, creating the scab lands and coulees. It poured over what is now called Dry Falls, creating falls larger than Niagara.

We drove down to the bottom of the coulee, through the camping area to see the cliffs from the bottom.

The visitor center at the top of the cliff is very informative. It is certainly worth checking out this very unusual geological feature of Washington State.

Friday the 13th Moon

Moon and Venus

The moon and Venus shortly after sunset today.

Last Leaf

The last leaf on the cherry tree. Good news after raking leaves day after day.

Colors of Autumn

Sunlight on hydrangea leaves.

Frost

Clear skies in the Pacific Northwest resulted in frost this morning.

Oak Harbor Shrouded in Fog

A recent November morning view from the west side of Oak Harbor. 

Mt Baker November Dawn

The view from Oak Harbor on November 14.

November Dawn

The view from Oak Harbor on November 14 a few minutes before sunrise.

Autumn

Signs of Autumn

A few scenes from my daily walk along the hills on the west side of Oak Harbor.