Whidbey Island



 

To get to Whidbey Island you must drive over Deception Pass Bridge.  Thank goodness Dave was driving. Deception Pass Bridge is a two-lane bridge on State Route 20 connecting Whidbey Island to Fidalgo Island.  It was a Washington State Highways project, and included project elements built by young workers from the Civilian Conservation Corps. Completion of the bridge was a factor in the decision to build Naval Air Station Whidbey Island and helped Oak Harbor, Washington flourish. The bridge is a commonly-photographed landmark of the Puget Sound region.  The bridge, one of the scenic wonders of the Pacific Northwest, is actually two spans, one over Canoe Pass to the north, and another over Deception Pass to the south. Construction began in August 1934, and the completed bridge was dedicated at noon on July 31, 1935. The cost of the construction was $482,000. It cost more to paint the spans in 1983 than to build them in 1935.  In 1982, the bridge was listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Bridge Facts
Height from water to roadway: about 180 feet, depending on the tide
Roadway: two 11 foot lanes, one in each direction
Sidewalks: 3 foot sidewalk on each side
Width of bridge deck: 28 feet
Total length: 1487 feet (more than a quarter mile)
Canoe Pass: one 350-ft arch and three concrete T-beam approach spans
Deception Pass: two 175-ft cantilever spans, one 200-ft suspended span, and four concrete T-beam approach spans
Vehicle crossings: 20,000 per day, average

Oak Harbor

Located at the water's edge, the active community is designed for fun with miles of pedestrian friendly waterfront. 

 We stayed at the Elks Lodge while they were hosting the Northwest Harley Rally.  Lots of bikes!

  

Beach front at City Beach Park.

 Downtown Oak Harbor. Lots of quaint shops and businesses in the Downtown area.

  

Where Flintstone Park stands today once was a swampy lowland.  The City wanting to put in a shore-side street asked anyone with large rocks, fill or other material to dump it here.  The resulting jumble prompted an offhand crack about the Flintstone cartoon characters.  The name stuck. The road became Flintstone Freeway and this spot Flintstone Park.  A local businessman built the stone car. 

Wilma

  

Deception Pass State Park

The iconic bridge and park are great for amazing views, trails, beaches, bird watching and fishing.

 

Deception Pass Bridge

Coupeville

The second oldest town in Washington state.  The town has over 100 buildings on the National Historic Register. Located on Penn Cove, home of the famous Penn Cove mussels.

 

Sail boat races were also going on during our stay

More black licorice

 

Anacortes Marina

Boat launch. 

You back your trailer in and they hoist the boat up off the trailer and set it in the water for you.

We just happened to be here on Shipwreck Day.  Which is the towns annual rummage sale.  They close off the streets down town for everyone to bring their items for sale.

Langley

Overlooking the waters of Saratoga Passage and the Cascade Mountains, Langley's charming streets are lined with historic buildings and a museum with local history.

The Inn at Langley - Street side

The Inn at Langley - Water side