Oyster Dome — Wednesday, Apr. 24, 2002

Puget Sound and Islands > Bellingham Area

Needing an inspirational environment in which to try to finish a newspaper article I was writing, I decided that sitting on top of Oyster Dome typing away on a keyboard would do the trick. The road approaching the start of the trail (Chuckanut Drive - Highway 11) has signs all along it warning that the road is closed, but it is open at least as far as the trailhead at Oyster Creek. What a gorgeous day! The trail is in great condition - thanks to the local Pacific Northwest Trail Association that has recently done maintenance on it. And the views of Samish Bay are just awesome! Its been almost 2 years since I've been up on these mountains and it is a true mutli-use area. Though this was a weekday, there were mountain bikers, hang gliders, horseback riders, mountain joggers and rock climbers populating the network of trails in addition to a few of us hikers. I sat on top of the dome and did my work, while two of the rock climbers were working their way up the gigantic chair I was sitting on. No snow anywhere, Lily Lake is close to dry, no runoff on the trail to speak of and gorgeous blue skies. . . but no solitude.