Whatcom County Northern lights

 We almost didn't go out to our favorite location to view the Northern lights. We've been stumped so many times and I'm getting so I like my sleep, but I'm so glad we did. It was so magical, it felt like a color umbrella was over our heads with shower after shower spraying out all around us. Never thought I'd see them again in my lifetime or let alone this spectacular. What a gift💓

Click on each picture to get a full screen view. All taken with my cell phone.

Fragrance lake loop

We started our hike at the Lost lake parking lot and headed up the logging road.

At the junction we took a left, the right turn leads to Burnout another beautiful destination.

When we got to the waterfall our dog Scoutina was ready for a drink. It was a beautiful and warm day, so she was thirsty.

Heart rock on the trail

I was glad to see the Trillium were still in bloom

When we got to Fragrance lake of course the dog had to go for a swim. We then walked to the other side of the lunch at sat down for a nice lunch break.

After lunch we headed down via the trail.

We always stop at the viewpoint when we hike the trail.

A nice young couple asked if we wanted our photo taken. I'm glad we said yes.

The sun was shining through the trees on the way down, it was so pretty.

When we got to the junction with the Interurban trail we turned left and made our way back to the parking lot.

 I forgot how much I love this hike💓

Ebey, Kettles and Beach loop

Saturday we headed to Whidbey Island for our loop hike. Our adventure dog was ready for the hike, patiently waiting while we were at the gas station. 

We did this hike before and it's now a favorite of mine. We did it during my non-blogging period, so no link to the past hike. My husband led the Relaxed trailblazers on this route also. Sounded like the ones that attended really enjoyed it. We changed the route a bit from our past trip, so we got a tad bit more distance in. The Kettles has many trails and we chose a different one than our last time through.

We parked at the Pratt loop parking lot and headed to the paved section of the Kettles trail.

Everything was so lush, the last rains have done their job.

Rhododendrons and Scotch broom were blooming along the section of the paved trail that parallels the highway.

After about 1 1/2 miles of walking, we joined the "non-paved" Kettles trail system and headed towards the bluff trail in the Fort Ebey State park area.

I love walking this bluff trail.

When we got to the picnic area of the park we stopped and ate our lunch and watched the paragliders trying to catch some wind.

Then it was off to join the trail again, which is also part of the PNT to make our way to the beach.

After going through a short forest section, we made our way down to the beach. We were at about 5 miles at this point. The beach walk to the Ebey Landing bluff trail is about 2 miles. We checked the tide before we went, and it was perfect. Sometimes the beach is a rocky ankle turning experience, but today we had a lot of fairly firm sand. The skies were grey all day and we occasionally had a fine mist falling on us. It was perfect hiking weather, but others must not have felt the same. We saw few people on the trails or the beach.

Our dog is a flight risk, so we keep her on a leash at all time except in our fenced back yard. My husband decided this was a safe place to practice some off leash behavior with her as there was a high bank on one side and the ocean on the other. She did great and was happy to explore on her own, she readily came when we called her. Of course we bribed her with treats😉

Before long we were at the north end of the Ebey's landing trail. We were at around 7 1/2 ish miles at this point.

Snails were here and there on the trail, enjoying the damp earth.

We saw a cruise ship heading north, to who knows where. Probably Alaska, since this is the route from the Seattle port.

Ending our hike through the Pratt loop trail

It was a nice hike, I walked a couple of tenths in the parking lot because I like to have a nice even distance to end on. Ha!

Total miles hiked: 10

Total ascent: 811 feet