This morning we were up early to make the 8:45 ferry. We headed out on the first of the “Beautiful drives.” The farmlands nestled between the Strait of Juan del Fuca and Skagit Bay with the Olympic Mountains in the background, make Whidbey Island a special little part of the world. After landing at Port Townsend, A short drive took us to the Olympic Park visitor center where Josh, the ranger, introduced us to Beaver wear (see above) and helped us plan our day.
“Beautiful Drive #2” led us 17 miles up Hurricane Ridge. Each bend in the road revealed increasingly breathtaking views as we wound our way up into the Olympic mountain range. God’s timing is perfect, as this was the first day the road was open for the summer season to go all the way out to Hurricane Hill. Driving out to the trail we knew we were in for a treat. Snow topped the mountains and wild flowers dotted the slopes where the sun had released the ground from winter’s grip. This part is for flower our lovers ...Indian paint brush in scarlet, spreading pink phlox, tiny yellow mountain lomatium, and the deep blues and purples of the broad leaf lupine; all mixed with a healthy growth of white daisies and yellow broad leaf arnica, made for a heady sight as we walked across the top of the ridge. Snow covered parts of the trail and I seemed to be the favorite target for snowballs!
Suzie and I headed to the top as David and Rebecca turned back (the cold and the altitude starting to affect Becca’s breathing as she was recovering from a post-final exam cold). A doe black tail deer and her fawn came strolling down the trail, as curious about us as we were about them. They were the first of eight black tails, some sporting early summer antler growth, that came surprisingly close as we hiked. Majestic views were our reward as made our way up –God is truly in this place.
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