I worked late, forgetting that the later bus didn’t go by my house on Smugglers Cove Road but stayed on the highway. No problem. I’d just ask the driver to drop me off at Pacific Dogwood and I’d walk home through Trillium Woods. I’d often walked this way last summer. Though the days are shorter now and darkness falls sooner, I was sure I’d make it home alright. I walked the quiet, paved road at the start. A swoosh went over my head, a raven called. As I stepped around the gate and entered the forest a heavy fog crept in. Still I wasn’t worried. There was just enough light and Patrick’s Way is easy to follow. Suddenly, I remembered that Trillium Woods is open to hunters in the fall. Maybe I should’ve stopped at the kiosk where the dates were probably posted. But there were no vehicles, so no hunters, right? I walked ahead passing the little signposts for the Smugglers, Wild Berry and Dragonfly trails. I’d always enjoyed walking home this way on a bright summer afternoon, but in late October it was getting dark much more quickly than I’d expected. Turning the bend I saw the full moon weaving between tree branches and ducking in and out of clouds and fog. I thought I heard footsteps coming up behind me. Looking around the fog was so thick I could only see a few yards away. Those weren’t footsteps. They were horse’s hooves. How unusual to meet someone riding at this hour. A dark shape was approaching. Out of the mist came a shaggy little pony all alone. It must have gotten out of its pen somewhere nearby. It came up in a friendly manner and let me stroke its neck. I remembered an apple I had left over from lunch and offered it to the pony. His lips rolled back as his big, yellow teeth parted to take the fruit. He snatched it from my hand and expertly broke it into bits. We seemed to be going in the same direction, so we continued down the path together. He seemed happy to have some company out here in the woods on this moonlit night. To tell the truth, I was glad to have company, too. Somewhere nearby an owl hooted. I spun toward the sound and then quickened my pace. The pony just laughed and nodded its head. Then a rustling came from the brush and a white buck leapt out with towering antlers. It stopped in the middle of the trail and looked straight at me. The moonlight shone in his eyes. I froze, terrified. But the fog moved in and enveloped the ghostly beast and it was gone. I took a few hesitant steps forward, but saw no sign. We cautiously moved on. I was afraid I’d miss my turn in the dark and fog. By now I was anxious to get out of these woods and home to my warm fire. I sensed I was getting close when the mist parted and there appeared a small boy leaning on the signpost. He was thin and pale and wore a long green coat and strange red hat. His head drooped as if he were tired or defeated. As we approached I started to greet him when he suddenly turned and pointed. He snarled in a deep voice. “You stole my pony!” It was not a boy but an old man with a long beard. I was stunned. He drew a long knife from his waist coat and shouted, “Defend yourself or die!” When I stopped running I was on my porch shaking so badly I could barely get my key to turn in the lock. I rushed inside, bolted the door and turned on the lights. Outside I heard laughter in the moonlight and the clomping of hooves trotting away. Maribeth Directions: Don't go into the woods at night no matter what!
However, if you wait until daylight, and not hunting season (unless you're a hunter), you can find Trillium Woods by taking the Route 1 Bus southbound to Smugglers Cove Road, 1 mile south of South Whidbey State Park. Or take the Route 1 Southbound on Highway 525 to Pacific Dogwood (just south of the Classic Road telephone booth). For the ADA Loop Trail, take Highway 525 to Mutiny Bay Road 2.5 miles north of Freeland, turn south and then turn right on Bounty Loop Road. The trailhead will be at the base of the hill. (No enchanted ponies were harmed in the making of this blog.)
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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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