Last weekend, I was fortunate to join two friends as they were heading out to walk their dogs at Greenbank Farm. If there’s anything that will get you to stir from the fireside and the rich aroma of Thanksgiving leftovers, it's a dog that needs a walk. Most people need walks, too. Though we were in the midst of another “atmospheric river of rain” and the “cyclone bomb” of wind had not yet fully subsided, we donned our raingear and headed outside. Thankfully it wasn’t cold due to the “pineapple express”. Imagine a trainload of the juicy, golden orbs pulling up to the station. Sweet! The dogs had their raincoats, too, though they didn’t seem to mind the wet. They raced through the tall grass with other dogs as fast as they could go. A yellow lab was leaving as we arrived. His bike buddy beamed at the end of a good ride. We met a family of three generations stretching their legs after consuming far more calories than their recommended daily allowance. It was hard to tell who was having more fun, the baby in a cuddly bear suit complete with tiny ears, or the beaming parents, or grandparents! Lanky, young people strode along behind an energetic retriever, hurling a ball with a chucker. An elderly man slowly worked his way up the hill with the help of two walking sticks, his old dog leading the way. He made his way to the bench at the top and relaxed with a view of the water. Piper introduced herself to his dog, a mirror image, and was rewarded with a treat. It’s a treat to walk here, with or without a dog. Dogs are ambassadors that bring people outside and together no matter how wet or windy. I ask the owner and then greet the dogs holding out my hand to be sniffed. They offer their ears to be scratched. They sniff each other and all the scents along the trails. A stick became Piper’s prized possession as she trotted with her head held high and tail swishing in the wind. The drizzle came in waves reminding me of playing in the sprinkler as a kid. We crossed the hill to the west side overlooking the highway. There’s a bus stop there seemingly in the middle of nowhere, but a gate in the fence provides access to these trails. There’s a solar pea patch nearby and just over the hill is an historic barn complex that houses offices, a gallery, café, cheese and wine shops. All was buzzing with activity Saturday. Lights, garlands and a holiday market in the barn emanated a festive atmosphere. The WSU Master Gardeners have a demonstration garden by the pond and a whole neighborhood is tucked just beyond the trees. A friend walks this field on his way to catch the bus to work with views of the water and mountains. What a way to start, and end, the day. A hawk roosted in a tall cedar overlooking the highway. This is a favorite place for birds and bird watchers due to the varied habitat of forest, fields and wetlands. Horseback riders, bikers and hikers use these trails that wind around the meadow and extend into the woods. The forest trails are open to hunting this time of year, so we stayed in the fields. This place was a dairy farm at the turn of the last century. It became a loganberry farm in the 1940s, and later a dense housing development was planned to take advantage of the water views to the east and west. But the community would not have it. The Nature Conservancy, Island County and the Port of Coupeville joined forces to preserve the historic structures and open space. Now it’s a favorite place to bring your dog with miles of trails to scratch and sniff. Maribeth Greenbank Farm’s Dog Park Guidelines What's Your Favorite Trail? Send a photo and a few lines describing which of our trails you like best and why, and we may include it in our top 10 list on New Year's eve! Deadline is Dec. 26th. Email: [email protected] Directions: Greenbank Farm is just off Highway 525, 10.7 miles south of the light in Coupeville or 8 miles north of the light in Freeland. You may access it off Wonn Road and park by the red barns. (Dogs must be on a leash at the barns but may be off-leash in the dog park area. Well behaved dogs only. Please pick-up after your pet.) Or pull off Highway 525 on the northwest side of the farm, park and enter through a gate in the fence.
Bus and Bike: Take the bus and enter through the gate on the west side of the farm at the end of Smuggler's Cove Road. Buses carry 2-3 bikes on a first come first served basis and dogs are permitted on the bus in an approved carrier. The Island Transit Route 1 bus can get you there fare-free Monday through Saturday. Here’s a schedule. Mobility: These are gentle loop trails through fields and forest but not made for wheelchairs or other mobility devices. Several benches and chairs provide seating with views.
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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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