tiggymalvern (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
tiggymalvern) wrote2021-09-18 06:56 pm
tiggymalvern) wrote2021-09-18 06:56 pm
Orcas Island Trip part three
The four mile loop trail around Mountain Lake in Moran State Park was lovely to walk. As a lakeside trail, it was pretty easy going, although there are a few places where the trail rises higher up the lakeshore over a bluff, just so you don't get too lazy.
The old, mossy wooden sign at the southern entrance to Moran State Park really captures the mood of the place on a quiet mid-September day.
When we arrived at Mountain Lake, there was still a big bank of cloud protruding from the top of Mount Constitution over the lake.
At the southern edge of the lake, just above the small dam.
A Douglas squirrel munching on a pine cone. These forests are absolutely crawling with them, but few are this cooperative. Most take one look at hikers and start screaming in fury.
By the time we got to the north end, the sun was winning.
And at the end of the loop, it was gorgeous.
A Studebaker Avanti in the car park of the Eastsound supermarket. A funny-looking car in really good condition, with a very proud owner who was delighted to tell us all about it.
The next morning started cloudy again, as every morning did. We set out to do the Turtlehead Summit hike at Turtleback Mountain Preserve, 6 miles with 1300 feet of climb. There's no road to this one, you walk or you miss the views, and the views are amazing.
A mile and a half up, there's a viewpoint over to Waldron Island, which still had huge banks of cloud overhead.
This was the same viewpoint on the way back down some 90 minutes later, when things had cleared a bit.
We arrived at Turtlehead Summit just as things were starting to brighten, the perfect time and place for lunch. This is looking south, along West Sound and the smaller inlet leading to Deer Harbor.
The 180 degree panorama view from Turlehead.
Fungus growing on the end of a chopped log, with dew drops glistening in the sun.
North Valley overlook, with a view across Crow Valley to the flat top of Mount Constitution.
After the hike, we went to the nearby Orcas Island winery, and spent some time sitting out in the sun sipping wine. A pretty good way to end the trip!
And on the way back to the house, we passed Fishing Bay in beautiful light again. Just as lovely in the mid afternoon as it is at sunset.
So, Orcas Island. Absolutely gorgeous place to visit, 10/10, would recommend. Would never ever live there. When you have to catch a ferry to go to the cinema, and when the dental van comes through once a month or so, that's too far from civilisation for me! And if you don't like hiking/kayaking/sailing, there is basically nothing to do there at all. Which is what we expected, and what made it a nice place for a trip during a pandemic :-)
The old, mossy wooden sign at the southern entrance to Moran State Park really captures the mood of the place on a quiet mid-September day.
When we arrived at Mountain Lake, there was still a big bank of cloud protruding from the top of Mount Constitution over the lake.
At the southern edge of the lake, just above the small dam.
A Douglas squirrel munching on a pine cone. These forests are absolutely crawling with them, but few are this cooperative. Most take one look at hikers and start screaming in fury.
By the time we got to the north end, the sun was winning.
And at the end of the loop, it was gorgeous.
A Studebaker Avanti in the car park of the Eastsound supermarket. A funny-looking car in really good condition, with a very proud owner who was delighted to tell us all about it.
The next morning started cloudy again, as every morning did. We set out to do the Turtlehead Summit hike at Turtleback Mountain Preserve, 6 miles with 1300 feet of climb. There's no road to this one, you walk or you miss the views, and the views are amazing.
A mile and a half up, there's a viewpoint over to Waldron Island, which still had huge banks of cloud overhead.
This was the same viewpoint on the way back down some 90 minutes later, when things had cleared a bit.
We arrived at Turtlehead Summit just as things were starting to brighten, the perfect time and place for lunch. This is looking south, along West Sound and the smaller inlet leading to Deer Harbor.
The 180 degree panorama view from Turlehead.
Fungus growing on the end of a chopped log, with dew drops glistening in the sun.
North Valley overlook, with a view across Crow Valley to the flat top of Mount Constitution.
After the hike, we went to the nearby Orcas Island winery, and spent some time sitting out in the sun sipping wine. A pretty good way to end the trip!
And on the way back to the house, we passed Fishing Bay in beautiful light again. Just as lovely in the mid afternoon as it is at sunset.
So, Orcas Island. Absolutely gorgeous place to visit, 10/10, would recommend. Would never ever live there. When you have to catch a ferry to go to the cinema, and when the dental van comes through once a month or so, that's too far from civilisation for me! And if you don't like hiking/kayaking/sailing, there is basically nothing to do there at all. Which is what we expected, and what made it a nice place for a trip during a pandemic :-)