This is a fantastic winter hike, and today was a perfect day for an outing. I hiked from the boat launch parking lot west to Rosario Head, returned to the parking lot and hiked east to Lottie Point, retraced my steps to the sand spit and headed across it to Lighthouse Point. The scenery is magnificent and the trails are great. Only one other hiker on the trail. Go now and avoid the crowds this summer. Five miles total with 1,100 feet of elevation gain. Birds, ducks, madronna trees, and kayakers add interest.

What a gorgeous day! Weatherman said Sunday would be better, but I know better than to let a fine day pass in hopes that tomorrow will be as good. Clean fresh air, brilliant sunshine and 60 degrees in February. Hiked the trails north of the bridge. Only a few birds (Cormorants, guillemot, kingfisher). A few blowdowns but readily accesible alterante trails. Late lunch at Deception Cafe. Clouds rolling in as we were rolling home.

This is a wonderful area for a family to explore. Rosario Head trail is at Deception Pass State Park on the north side of the bridge over Deception Pass. The CCC museum is closed for winter, but it is definately worth a visit if you go when it's open. Watch the wobbling little tykes on the Rosario Head trail - it's a long drop to the water. There's a nice wooden sculpture and native American legend to read before the final ascent to the top of the Head. Goose Point trail is located at the South side of the Deception Pass bridge on the east side of Hwy 20 (opposite the parking lot). Access is via the trail under the bridge and to the other side. You have a few choices; we started on the Perimeter Trail and went to the other side of Goose Point, then took the summit trail and back down to meet the Perimeter trail. There are lots of big madrona trees on the cliffyish, south side of Goose Point. This is always a great area to spend the day. There is also a very nice wetland trail at Cranberry Lake, and of course the beach, which is home to some of the most colorful beach stones I've ever seen!

Annie and I made a day trip to see some tulips and see Whidbey Island. We left the house at 6:30 AM. Made it to Mt. Vernon is no time. Tulips are late blooming, they are not open yet in most areas. They need more sun. We paid the $5 and saw some that were opening at Tulip town. Got some great photos and moved on to Deception Pass. We found the trail head after some confusion as to where it was. We parked across the bridge at the info trailer we asked, and they said you could reach it by walking back over the bridge but sidewalk is closed due to construction. So we choose to get back in the car and drive to state park beach area. Gorgeous views from every direction. Mt. Baker peak, kayaks having fun in the swirling waters below. We did a small hike - hour or so - and never did see the lighthouse. But we had other things to see and do before the day was over. I'll write another report on Fort Ebey area.