Whidbey Weekend

Trying to squeeze every last bit of summer in we packed up the (borrowed) teardrop trailer and were on the road to Whidbey Island for a little R and R.

I was so excited I got to wait in the "big dog" lane at the ferry dock -

 

Here we are en route to Edmonds (The pre-planned Port Townsend route had a 90 minute ferry wait sooo we reconsidered and took the Kingston/Edmonds route and stomached a bit more driving. Got to love ferry life.) 

  

We arrived on Whidbey Island as the sun was beginning to set. We stayed at Rocky Point, which is right next to the golf course, just off the Naval Air Station Whidbey Island (we could hear the planes, but couldn't see them - torture for Chris)

This spot should do -  

 This sunset made me pretend I was in Florida -

 

There was a burn ban in the area - but not if your fire was in a contained pit. So, like true trailer trash we brought our fire pit with us. What's camping without a campfire?

  

We woke up Saturday morning, made some coffee on the camp stove and walked down to the beach adjacent to the campground. It was important to read the signs on our walk -

Did I mention we were RIGHT next to the Navy gun range?

Morning view from the beach -

We set out to explore the island with no particular agenda, just the goal to explore. We drove into Oak Harbor and wandered around a park and watched a dog agility competition going on. On the east side of Oak Harbor an old Navy seaplane base has been turned into family housing and shopping. After a brief tour there we took off down the island.

A few minutes outside Oak Harbor the local airport was having a fly-in. We stopped so Chris can drool over the planes.

A few Jags at the airport (for you Dad!) -

Further down the road we stopped in Coupeville. An adorable sleepy little town. We walked around and enjoyed the shops before heading back up to the camp.

Because Chris is an airplane-aholic. I promised him we could go check out the planes at the Naval Air Station. Chris was in hog heaven as we drove around staring at the planes.

Here I am with a retired P-3C Orion (see - my plane knowledge is expanding :)

The F-18s on the runway. They kept winding up an engine and taxiing, but not taking off. It was driving Chris mad!

We stopped by the on-base beach for another walk. It was beautiful - these Navy guys have got it figured out that's for sure!

 

When we made it back to camp I called my old college buddy Marny up (who lives on the island) and she came over for burgers and to enjoy the sunset. 

The next day we made a loop drive around the island stopping at whatever took our attention. We found a great little farmers market, visited the even smaller town of Langley and stopped at Fort Ebey State Park.

We're on the bluff of Fort Ebey facing out towards Port Townsend/Kitsap Peninsula (home!)

  

Next stop - Deception Pass State Park - 

  

On the way back to the campsite Chris heard the planes taking off from the base. His pathetic puppy eyes convinced me to let him drive back onto base to watch the planes.

All this boy wants to do is fly -

 

Here are the happy little campers enjoying the last evening of the trip (we took Monday off :)

Next adventure - Wicked in Seattle :)

ps - thanks mom for showing me the new blog photo uploader. MUCH easier!!