Autumn storms indicated a blustery weekend, so while most people were waiting out the storm we ventured north. The weather wasn't quite as bad as we had hoped as we pulled into the line-up for the Mukilteo ferry. Since we had a 20-minute wait we wandered past the ice-cream shop and eyesore condos to check out the Mukilteo lighthouse. Situated atop a quaint little building, the red-capped watchtower looked out over the water toward Whidbey island - our destination for the day. The wind-whipped waves turned the normally tranquil bay into a small, turbulent ocean.
The upper decks of the ferry were warm and cozy, but we passed through the viewing area to the aft deck. Our wake churned up the rough water, creating a white streak against the grey skyline. After emptying a packet of saltines (swiped from the food counter) we were rewarded by the sudden appearance of hungry seagulls. They glided clumsily behind the ferry, slipping back and forth as their beady eyes watched for another morsel of cracker. We pulled into the harbor in Whidbey with a cloud of grey and white feathers gathered on what would soon be the front of the ferry.
Due to a late start, it was lunchtime by the time we got to Langley. A quiet little town with specialty shops and small restaurants, it still seemed to be waking up, even at 1pm. Above the quirky grocery/mercantile was a small bistro where we dined on tasty, Mediterranean-inspired sandwiches. The neatest shop was a bookstore tucked away in an old bank building - the vault doors still intact. The other store we went to was owned by some slick-furred cousins of mine.
The wind began to pick up as we arrived at Fort Casey, and old fortification complete with bunkers and disappearing guns. White-caps and rainclouds suited the retired fort much better than a bright, sunny day could. We explored the dark rooms and prison-like guard towers, then walked over to the lighthouse. A little more imposing than the Muckilteo lighthouse, this one also had a better view. Driftwood littered the beach that stretched from the lighthouse to distant eroded cliffs. The waves had really picked up and we saw some kid pretending to be the one directing the great splashes as the water collided with the rocks. A light rain cleared off the beach and we took shelter in the ultimate driftwood fort. Our original plan had been to see Deception Pass at sunset, but as we looked out the front entrance of the fort the sun had already begun to dip into the waves.
We made it to Deception Pass well after dark, but ventured out onto the bridge anyway. The wind and the force of the semis going by a few feet from us left me gripping tightly to the railing. Crossing over to the mainland we arrived at the only Thai place in Mount Vernon windswept and hungry.
The upper decks of the ferry were warm and cozy, but we passed through the viewing area to the aft deck. Our wake churned up the rough water, creating a white streak against the grey skyline. After emptying a packet of saltines (swiped from the food counter) we were rewarded by the sudden appearance of hungry seagulls. They glided clumsily behind the ferry, slipping back and forth as their beady eyes watched for another morsel of cracker. We pulled into the harbor in Whidbey with a cloud of grey and white feathers gathered on what would soon be the front of the ferry.
Due to a late start, it was lunchtime by the time we got to Langley. A quiet little town with specialty shops and small restaurants, it still seemed to be waking up, even at 1pm. Above the quirky grocery/mercantile was a small bistro where we dined on tasty, Mediterranean-inspired sandwiches. The neatest shop was a bookstore tucked away in an old bank building - the vault doors still intact. The other store we went to was owned by some slick-furred cousins of mine.
The wind began to pick up as we arrived at Fort Casey, and old fortification complete with bunkers and disappearing guns. White-caps and rainclouds suited the retired fort much better than a bright, sunny day could. We explored the dark rooms and prison-like guard towers, then walked over to the lighthouse. A little more imposing than the Muckilteo lighthouse, this one also had a better view. Driftwood littered the beach that stretched from the lighthouse to distant eroded cliffs. The waves had really picked up and we saw some kid pretending to be the one directing the great splashes as the water collided with the rocks. A light rain cleared off the beach and we took shelter in the ultimate driftwood fort. Our original plan had been to see Deception Pass at sunset, but as we looked out the front entrance of the fort the sun had already begun to dip into the waves.
We made it to Deception Pass well after dark, but ventured out onto the bridge anyway. The wind and the force of the semis going by a few feet from us left me gripping tightly to the railing. Crossing over to the mainland we arrived at the only Thai place in Mount Vernon windswept and hungry.
