Spring at Ebey Landing

 After all of the rain we had Thursday, I was ready for a hike hopefully in the sunshine. 

Yesterday we headed to Ebey Landing for the day and we weren't dissapointed. Another plus of the day was that there were very few people on the trail, which is rare. We like to start on the Pratt loop trail and head to the bluff trail from there.

  

A sign of spring

First view of the ocean

Ebey prairie and Ebey landing shore

Heading up the bluff trail

Pretty purple blooms

I always love this view

More spring blooms

Yes, I'm happy to be at Ebey Landing on a sunny day

New fir growth

My husband with our dog Scoutina, patiently waiting for me at where the trail begins it's descent to the beach

We stopped at the beach for our lunch break.

The clouds were beautiful

We walked the beach back to the State park parking lot. Scoutina did all the usual dog/beach activities as we made our way along: digging holes, chewing on sticks, dragging kelp through the water, eating seaweed, carrying dead fish heads in her mouth (yuck) and running in and out of the surf❤️

Then we made our way back up to the Pratt loop trail 

New spring cones

Every child's favorite flower

Stop and make your wish, then blow the fairies into the air.

Always hoping the wish will come true

Total miles walked: 6.4

Total ascent: 445 feet

Inside an Iris

I noticed that our mini Iris had bloomed and the insides were so beautiful, I tried to zoom in with my cell phone and see how it did. I was pleased with the photos.

The photos are best viewed full screen, click on the photo or zoom in depending on your device.

Full Iris photo

Zoomed in photo of the inside of the Iris

Another Iris photo

Zoomed in photo of the inside of the Iris

Zoom in photo of the beard of the Iris

and another photo of a mini Iris just because😀

 

North Cascades Hwy: OPEN!

The North Cascades highway opened yesterday at 10 am, so we decided to get our first of the season "over the pass" drive in. I was surprised at how low the snow was along the road at Washington Pass.

The opening of THIS pass allows travelers to complete the beautiful Cascade loop scenic drive.

As we drove through the tunnel I was excited for the views ahead.

Near the top

Washington Pass

First view of Liberty bell

Heading down to the east side.

After a quick stop in Winthrop, we turned around for our return journey.

I just had to photograph the mirror at our restroom stop in Winthrop.

Winthrop is a western themed town, so this was fitting.

I took all of the "travel" photos inside of our vehicle as we were moving down the road. I was surprised there weren't too many blurry photos. I wanted to get a photo of the beautiful Balsamroot flowers in bloom near Winthrop, not too blurry except the flowers. Oh well at least the pop of yellow is visible.

Heading back to the west side.

Always love the views along this particular pass

 

Sewing, Hiking and Scoutina

 Saturday was a catch up on my sewing day. I'm still slowly sewing this years Indigo Way Mystery Quilt. I finished block A, now I'm tackling Block B.

Stack of finished Block A's

Test Block B

Assembly line production for Block B

I got a lot accomplished on the quilt blocks so that made me happy.

On Sunday we went for a hike along the Stillaguamish river near Arlington. It was a glorious blue sky day.

Stillaguamish river beside the trail

Licorice ferns climbing up the tree

View from the Railroad bridge

We took a rest break at the Quilt barn (Trafton Trailhead park). 

This barn is part of the Stillaguamish Valley Quilt trail.

There were a couple of picnic tables near the trail, so we enjoyed the sun's warmth while we ate some snacks.

Our view while we sat.

I took a zoomed in photo of these tiny daisies

As we were getting ready to begin our journey back we noticed 3 deer in the large field to our right, they came near and walked across the trail right in front of us.

Last but not least, our sweet girl is two today, can't believe it's been nearly a year since we picked her out at the local humane society.