Puget Sound
Delightful day-tripping
Deception Pass was a bridge to new experiences for Lynn and Al Jackart
It was a cool May morning and we were heading south on I-5 to Exit 320 at Burlington, Washington. We turned west onto Highway 20 and drove past farmlands and the turnoff to the quaint town of LaConner. The Swinomish Channel Bridge took us onto Fidalgo Island, then we turned off at Fidalgo Bay Road. The tree-lined paved road led us to Fidalgo Bay Resort Campground.
See the Sea: A boat navigates its way across Deception Pass. —photo by Lynn Jackart
We stopped and registered at the office and picked a campsite overlooking Padilla Bay where a few RVs were camped. The front windshield of our motorhome was our water view. We watched seals play, egrets wade in the shallow water looking for food and a mother goose and her goslings swim in tight groups along the shoreline.
The weather warmed up and it was time for a day trip. We turned south onto Highway 20 and as we drove farther into the country the busy traffic thinned. The winding highway passed many farms, restaurants and places to stay. The quiet countryside was relaxing and there were fir and cedar trees that stood tall ahead of us.
The traffic slowed as we passed a scenic lookout filled with sightseers. Then we drove onto Canoe Pass Bridge, the first of two bridges over Deception Pass, and the ocean view was spectacular. Slowly we entered the second bridge, Deception Pass Bridge, and the steep cliffs on each side and views of the many islands in the distance took our breath away.
These bridges are joined at Pass Island and connect Fidalgo and Whidbey Islands. Built in 1935, Canoe Pass is a 511-foot structure and Deception Pass is a 976-foot structure. On this clear day, we could see miles out to the Strait of Juan de Fuca as the treacherous currents running under the bridges churned and boiled.
We had to get a closer look. A parking lot at the south end of the bridges was the perfect place to stop and investigate. We discovered well maintained stairs and pathways under the bridges. We took the path descending below the structures and watched ships in the distance. The waterway under the bridges narrows to 200 yards at Pass Island. The currents looked dangerous but many fishing and pleasure boats were navigating the waterway, trying not to get caught in the treacherous waters.
A short distance south of the bridges is Deception Pass State Park, a 4,134-acre marine and camping park. We stopped at the gate and asked the park ranger if we could drive through this popular recreational area and he agreed. Towering fir and cedar trees covered the road and trails to the saltwater and freshwater beaches were well marked. Many campers were busy enjoying themselves in this beautiful natural park. Cranberry Lake is also part of the park and allows freshwater fishing and swimming.
Once on Whidbey Island, we kept on Highway 20. At the entrance to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island two Grumman EA-6B Prowler Shadowhawks airplanes sat pointing to the sky. They were huge and seemed out of place in the quiet countryside. This naval base has been here since 1941 but today is home to electronic warfare squadrons and many retired military people. The island climate makes this base very popular.
The small city of Oak Harbor is 10 miles south of Deception Pass Bridge. The wide busy streets were full of stores, hotels and businesses. We spotted the largest marina on the island where many boats were coming and going on the calm waters. We passed parks and a farmers’ markets—the atmosphere was friendly and inviting. Every convenience is available here, which makes this a very nice place to visit.
Our day trip took us to another island over majestic bridges, through sun-filled parks and wonderful scenery. On the way back to our campground we wondered if it could get any better.
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