March 6: Deception Pass with friends

We returned here! For a third time, but now it's more 'Springy' so that was awesome. Our hiking plans originally were going to be a trip out to Snoqualmie Falls but apparently the hiking path that leads you to a good viewpoint is closed until 2013 while they work on improvements on the trail (!!!!) So we last minute decided to head up to Deception.

Friends from Florida (an former coworker and his father) had just moved up here like us and they were wanting to share in the hiking enjoyment that Eric and I have been having. We were more than happy to include them!

I should mention, as this is a good point to do so, that if you're ever in the area on a weekend, let me know! We love to have hiking buddies. It makes for more varied conversation and I love to share the beauty of nature.





Driving over the Deception Pass Bridge, which we did twice as the second hike I had picked out was also closed (GRRRR)


The last time we were here I took a dip in the water and we watched SCUBA divers getting ready to go crabbing. This time there were kayakers!


It was one of those rare somewhat sunny days for spring. It was also gorgeous.


Little flowers were everywhere on the grassy lawns and there was that AMAZING smell of damp dirt that always triggers warm winds and images of new buds on trees in my head. In other words, pure bliss.


Nick found us something cool here that we had missed that past few times.



US Coast Guard Geodetic Survey marker!



The tide was at a low point so I was able to explore more of the tidepool trail that we barely explored our first visit. I found an open anemone right away!


These are lots of little closed up anemones. The salinity was probably increasing so they pull in to reduce water loss to the surrounding higher salt environment in the tidepools. It's a neat adaptation.



That center point is both mouth AND anus. It's why we tell kids not to poke it at the Seattle Aquarium. ;D

Some barnacles too.


Across the bay there is where we took my family last time.


Neat pictures of me.







There are fishermen in the water!

Eric and Nick.


A lone tree




I'm pretty sure that's Canada, far in the distance.


My kind of coastal community....


Lots of driftwood!




We found a partly created wigwam hut thing made of cedar branches. Nick decided to get inside.



More flowers! If you looked closely, you could a ton of signs of spring. I loved it.


And perhaps what are my two favorite pictures from this trip.... the awesome moss. I think I saw about 4 different kinds all together.