Ebey's walkabout

Today's hike was a wonderful "walkabout-exploring" day at Ebey's Landing. 

Iris at the Prairie overlook parking area

We started in the upper Historical Reserve parking area.

We walked past the Historic preserved houses and headed towards the bluff and the loop trail.

The path to the bluff was lined with yellow flowers along the field. So pretty.

and white flowers here and there as we neared the Loop trail.

Time to head up the bluff and walk the ridge trail.

I took a quick look at the fields of Ebey's Landing before I headed up the trail.

A view to the south.

Our view to the north.

Lupine in the foreground above the lagoon below.

We stopped at the highest point on the trail for a snack. The clouds were beginning to clear and it turned out to be a really nice day to walk along the beach.

We normally take a left turn at the beach part of the loop, but today we had exploring on our minds. We turned right and were determined to walk around the point that was visible from the loop trail junction with the beach. We walked on the sand for a ways and then these wonderful large rocks were in our path. It was fun walking from rock to rock and we made our way through. The rocks were larger than our typical beach rocks. In my mind's eye I felt like I was perhaps walking on Mars or some other distant planet. It was fun to play with my imagination as we made our way around the point. Guess what we found when we got around the point? Another point!! We kept going, hoping to find where a trail might come down from Ebey State park, but we never found it. We did see where some old trails had once come down from the bluff above us, but they've given way to erosion.

We turned around and headed back down the beach towards the lower beach parking area. As we made our way back I turned and took a picture of where we'd come from. We went to where the farthest point is visible.

More lovely yellow flowers near the kiosk in the parking area.

I got a photo of a Red Winged Blackbird on the bushes.

We then joined the Pratt trail on our way back. The trail was lined with lots of very small flowers. Beautiful!

We saw several bunnies along our way.

We decided to take the Kettle spur trail before we ended our hike. More exploring!

What a beautiful little trail. It was just magical to walk along with all of the small flowers in bloom with the lush green plants.

The Kettle spur trail lead out to the paved trail that goes along Hwy 20 near Coupeville.

Here I am in the photo below, standing at the trail sign that leads back into the woods.

The final leg of the Pratt trail goes around a field. Our car is way off in the distance across the field.

The path was lined with wild roses, the scent was wonderful as we made our way back.

I really enjoyed today's hike, full of wildlife, flowers and exploring.

Garmin stats:

total miles - 9.3 miles

total ascent - 597 feet

Relive video of our route

https://youtu.be/pWvoyskcYTc

Mon Oeuvre ~ Feathers Quilt progress: 2

Today was a warm one. Our outside sensor says that it was 93 degrees when I decided to go outside and sew.

I have been wanting to sew with my hand crank sewing machine outdoors ever since I purchased it. I set myself up on our backyard deck, there was a soft breeze blowing and it was very comfy there in the shade.

I thought it was fun that while I was sewing the second bird block of  my mom's "Feathers" quilt, I was enjoying the birds at our feeders. We had some new visitors while I was out sewing. I spotted our first Black Headed Grosbeak of the year at our feeder. It quickly flew away, and an Evening Grosbeak promptly perched at our bird bath and had a long drink of water. A whole flock of them ate at the feeders with our usual Goldfinch flock. Here's a photo of our first Evening Grosbeak, the lighting wasn't the best for taking it's picture.

Two blocks completed!

I was going to make the first block be a practice block and not use it in the quilt, but I love it so in it goes.