Whether the weather be fine, or whether the weather be not, Whether the weather be cold, or whether the weather be hot, We'll weather the weather, whatever, together, Whether we like it or not. Anon I saw a few flakes of snow this week. Rain and wind played tag last week. When the sun took a turn a friend invited me to venture outside. At the end of the driveway, I hesitated. Left or right? My mind spun through all the nearby options. I’d turned right last time, so this time, I turned left and headed for South Whidbey State Park. Leaving the car parked by the restrooms I looked up. A gust of wind stirred the treetops and I remembered why the campground had been closed. I wouldn’t sleep well under those giants in a wind storm. But that is the first place we walked. The campground loop would provide an opportunity for someone with mobility challenges to experience the forest. A gate blocks the road access but on the left side of the restrooms there's plenty of room for a wheelchair or mobility scooter to enter. We walked down a hill on the paved road now closed to traffic, kicking small branches aside as we went. Last spring I’d found a bright beautiful Western Tanager among these trees. They’re still south of us now in February, but kinglets, juncos and chickadees sang out from the shrubs. A raven cried out from the tall trees. A Pacific wren played hide and seek around a stump. We’re impatient for the early signs of spring, for the first blossoms of red flowering current, salmonberry, or even the golden glow of skunk cabbage in the wetlands. There were small, cheery, pink flowers, though they were the non-native invasive Herb Robert, also known as Stinky Bob. I looked around for downed trees but the campground loops were clear for wheelchairs or kids on bikes. A picnic shelter in the old group camping area would be a welcome sight on a damp day. But the sun was out so we walked on. We took the Hobbit Trail downhill passing under some huge maples with their chartreuse moss blankets and arms laden with licorice ferns. Each gust of wind set the hillside of sword ferns waving. A few small branches fell at our feet and made us a little anxious about something bigger coming down. At the overlook the blue expanse was choppy with white caps. Fort Flagler stood out on the far shore. We could see from Bush Point to Lagoon Point and all points in between. Climbing back up the hill to the campground loop we made our way toward the Wilbert Trail across the road. Just before the crosswalk is a cavernous maple tree. I envisioned Keebler elves inside baking cookies. No such luck. Still, it was fun to explore. Crossing the road we visited the Ancient Cedar standing tall and straight for centuries. We continued on the trail heading north, then turning south. I was grateful for the boardwalk through the wetland with its lush green sedges. A magnificent log lay on the ground almost shoulder high providing nutrients for a community of new growth on the forest floor. We noticed more trees with broken tops and others leaning into each other, but we didn’t linger beneath them. Beefy Douglas firs stood on the hillside with charred bark from a fire hundreds of years ago. Its deep, corky bark acted as armor against the flames. There were a few puddles but most of the trails were dry, We passed a few people walking a dog or exploring intersecting trails, but it was mostly a quiet walk in the woods. What a treasure. As we returned to the park entrance we passed an interpretive sign that reminded me of how this forest was saved. People who still live in our community literally stood in front of bulldozers to protect these great elders of the forest. Some of them are still Friends of Whidbey State Parks. You could be a friend, too. https://www.friendsofwhidbeystateparks.org/ Maribeth Directions: From Highway 525 in Greenbank take Smugglers Cove Road south 4.8 miles. Or from just north of Freeland, take Bush Point Road north 6 miles. (Bush Point Road turns into Smugglers Cove Road.) You'll need a parking pass to park inside the gate. Or park at the crosswalk to the north of the park entrance. The shoulder is wide for this purpose. By Bus: Monday-Friday, take Route 1 to the park entrance. www.islandtransit.org All Island Transit buses can take 1-2 wheelchairs and 2-3 bikes. Take a wild walk in the windy woods of South Whidbey in this seven second video below: https://youtu.be/MHhzhAI0LBo
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Maribeth Crandell has been a hiking guide in the Pacific NW for over 20 years. She's lived on Whidbey and Fidalgo Island for decades. As a frequent bus rider she easily makes connections between trails and transit. Archives by date
April 2024
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