This summer has kind of lacked in trips, compared to our past summers. Not that I’m complaining. It’s been nice to be around home more. Even if around home is mostly driving kids here, there, and everywhere. But not having to do all the planning and coordination for a trip—and then deal with all the packing, time spent traveling to and from wherever, unpacking once there, and then packing back up just to unpack back at home… it’s been a nice change. I even cancelled a trip I booked at the end of August to avoid dealing with all that stuff. Although I think I may need a vacation from these past few weeks of summer. I’m in the car driving kids around more than I am at home (not really but it feels like I am).
Two trips this summer. We went to Silverwood and Glacier National Park back in June. And then this sucker, Deception Pass State Park, in July. Apparently Deception Pass State Park is the most popular Washington State Park. This is probably questionable, depending on which link you click when searching most popular washington state park. And depending on the popularity requirements. I remember reading it was somewhere before I Googled. Popular or not, it is the most visited Washington State Park. It’s been on my list for a while. In fact, we had a cabin booked there a few years ago but I ended up cancelling. But this summer, we made it happen. And I can understand why it’s the most visited and/or the most popular. (Note state park, not national park. I think Mount Rainer and Olympic National are both more visited and more popular than any state park.)
Avoiding crowds and all, we booked Wednesday until Friday. Especially in summer, I like to go places on weekdays. It’s still busy but not weekend-busy. I say this as I get ready to head to Oregon tomorrow, on a Saturday. Haha. I guess that makes three trips this summer. Kind of but not really. A one-nighter with Saige and her buddy—not a family trip.
The week we went to Deception Pass, Laine had gymnastics camp at the University of Washington all-day Monday and Tuesday, and half-day Wednesday. (It was a great camp!) My friend whom we switch off watching each other’s pups, she was off to Europe and we had Evie and Willow starting Tuesday night. And Maive had gymnastics Wednesday morning. Everything worked out with careful planning—like it always does—but it was stressful getting out on time. Brian had left at 7:30am to drive Laine to the UW; I was home packing up the car and readying to leave pretty much when he made it back home. Maive had gymnastics at 10am. We were actually on a timeframe, not a self-imposed one. I managed to get all packed and ready for Brian to come back, leaving only the bike rack and bikes to put on the car. We pulled out right at 9:30am, leaving the pups in charge. I hired our wonderful pup sitter to hang with the dogs while we were at Deception Pass. Everything worked out.
While Maive was at gymnastics, Brian, the three non-gymnastics kiddos, and I went to Target to buy the last of supplies we needed for the trip. Mostly food. We grabbed Maive from the gym at 11:30am, and drove straight to the UW for Laine’s final day of camp performance at 12pm. We barely made it but we did. Score! Sometimes I forget how much of a presence we are as a family. Maybe not the best word but all the parents watching either had no kids or one kid with them. Then there’s us, walking in with four kids. Haha. Everyone looks. Maybe not everyone but it sure feels that way. Laine’s group from camp had prepared a dance—all the groups had—and we watched each of them perform. She was all smiles. Such a great camp. And how lucky are we that we live in an area that has these opportunities for kids?!
Laine’s camp wrapped up and we all loaded in the loaded car, ready to head north to Deception Pass. But timing-wise, we would get there before check-in. Lunch was needed anyway, so we stopped at a Red Robin just north of Everett. In keeping with Brian’s and my luck, Red Robin was closed with a sign on the door. Staffing issues. We went a bit more north and found a run-down Denny’s off one of the exits. It was surprisingly busy for a late lunch, and there was only one waitress working. She was busting her ass to take care of everyone. And thankfully everyone seemed understanding.
Lunch, check. We still had a bit of time to kill before check-in. To La Conner we went, for ice cream. It was drizzling a bit but we still went for ice cream with the plan to eat outside. Until the kids got cold. We loaded back up in the car yet again, and drove a little around La Conner. We usually stick to the same routine when we go there and hadn’t really checked out the town outside of the main drag. Keeping an eye on the GPS’s ETA for Deception Pass, it was now looking good to head to the State Park. We left La Conner for Whidbey Island. And we timed it perfectly! Not so much to be there at 4pm on-the-dot, but as we were at the kiosk checking in, our friends were right behind us.
Both of our families unpacked and settled into our cabins, right next to each other. It wasn’t long before we went to the water. There’s a section of beach between the Sound and Cranberry Lake. The kids split their time between hanging on the beach and wading in the shallow beach area of Cranberry Lake. We must have spent a bit over an hour there before heading back to the cabins. The kids had yet to fully explore the campground and we needed to make dinner.
Back at Quarry Pond—the campground we were staying—the kiddos explored. They found Quarry Pond, which kind of looked nasty. But that didn’t stop them from trying to catch fish there (no fish but they caught a snake in the net the next day, and then put the cute little freaked out snake back unharmed). While they attempted to fish, the other kiddos rode about on their bikes and did whatever, while Brian and I readied dinner. Mostly Brian. We managed to get burgers for all 13 of us, along with sliced watermelon. That was my contribution, haha. Brian is the family chef. He enjoys it anyway. After diner, the kids putzed around more before we started an evening fire. S’mores and then bed. It had been a busy day. And we had more exploring to do Thursday.
Fishing kiddos! And a snake catcher (and releaser).
Hammock time. Maive likes to use the hammock as a swing and I like to hide out in the sucker.
Thursday was jam-packed. All good stuff. We started the morning with pancakes by Brian, our camping (cabining) standard. This was our first trip with the other family where we split meals. Probably our sixth or seventh trip traveling with them. I think it worked out. After everyone was fed, it was time to walk the bridge. I’m a huge fan of bridges, just not being on them. But I did it, and damn that thing is high! It’s a mere 180 feet above the Sound.
We parked on the south end of the bridge. There’s a parking lot there with a vendor selling Deception Pass merchandise. Because of course there is, haha. We walked across. That walking lane is super small, and right next to the vehicles crossing the bridge. Like you could reach out and touch any vehicle going by, without having to extend you arm that far. Insane. And there’s only a rope separating pedestrians from vehicles. The metal barrier for protection from falling below is awfully short. I mean, it’s not and it’s fine. But for someone who doesn’t like heights—walking with nine kids across—it made me uncomfortable. We made it across, phew.
Now it was time to walk back. The dads and the kids who wanted, crossed under the bridge and walked back on the other side. Us moms and two kiddos chose to walk back (speed walk) back on the same side we initially crossed. It felt great to be off that bridge. It’s a beautiful structure and I’m sure totally safe but not my thing. Although, I was reading about the floating 90 bridge and how the original floating 90 bridge is on the bottom of Lake Washington, and someone commented all bridges are safe until they aren’t. Fair statement. And I’m glad I read that after I crossed the Deception Pass bridge.
Everyone was back near the parking lot, and the kids were sucked into the merchandise kiosk. Blaise collects stickers from everywhere we go, and he puts them on his suitcase. Of course all the kids wanted something. We capped it at stickers. Laine wanted a hat?! Sometimes I think these kids just want something because it’s there. We didn’t buy a hat.
Back at the campground, it was time for lunch. Everyone ate and we spent a bit of time putzing around before the afternoon plan of heading back to Cranberry Lake. The girls collected berries and mushed them, added sugar, and made a jam tasting station. Between the two cabins is a pathway to campsites—a thoroughfare to the campground restrooms. A few people took them up on tasting. And one older gentleman tipped them a dollar. They were SO happy.
Thursday afternoon was spent at Cranberry Lake. The kids all went with swimsuits on, with big plans to get their swim and paddle boarding on. Our friends have a paddle board, and Brian rented two more. The kids who wanted to paddle board took off. The younger kiddos, and Saige, stayed behind to play in the roped off swimming area of Cranberry Lake. Saige is our safe kiddo. I remember her as a toddler scooting, how she’d go super slow on the sidewalk where it dips down for driveways. There’s no way she’d be on a paddle board. It was all good, Saige took off and found friends about her age to hang out with. Saige is our extremely outgoing kiddo and always finds people wherever we go. Maive waded in the shallow water and had the time of her life.
And to be fair to Saige and her being cautions, that’s like me. I had no interest in paddle boarding. I’m not a water sports fan to being with, let alone doing something that might result in me falling into a lake. I did take Blaise up on paddling me around the shallow area. Although as soon as I couldn’t see the bottom of the lake, it was too far out for me.
We probably spent a good three or four hours at the lake, and everyone was having a great time. The kids paddle boarded, went swimming, attempted to catch fish with a pan, waded, played in the sand, footballed… all the things. Us moms even took a stroll around the nature trail next to the lake. We saw two bald eagles perched on a tree. I imagine this is an amazing fishing spot for them. Between the lake and the Sound, they have options. We called it when people started to get hungry. We brought snacks but not food for hours on end. Dinner was approaching. But first, ice cream.
The State Park has an ice cream shop. I had higher hopes for the ice cream shop but it worked. It’s basically a deep freezer stocked with ice cream bars you can buy at Costco. Overpriced ice cream bars. But whatever, it worked out and the kids didn’t complain. And bonus, next to the ice cream joint, there was a park ranger with a table filled with the different skeletons, pelts, and whatnot of the critters who live in the state park. I had never felt a river otter’s pelt before, that sucker was dense and thick! Makes sense. The kids were given ranger books to complete and once completed, they could be sworn in as Junior Park Rangers. Complete with a badge. The Park Ranger was cute, she said when our two cars parked she watched as more and more kids kept getting out. Like a clown car. Haha. She had to restock her coloring books in the midst of our kids all taking one.
The few pictures trying to get everyone in the shot. I don’t think I was successful.
Ice cream, check. Back to the cabins for dinner. And more putzing. The plan was to do those things and then head to Rosario Beach for the tide pools. It’s been nice taking the bikes to the places we go. The kids are at ages where we’re totally comfortable with them taking off. Maive is still a bit young but we trust the other kids to keep an eye on her (they offer). And Maive is the best three-year-old we’ve had in terms of listening and staying close, and sticking to the rules. It was a semi-relaxing afternoon knowing the kids were having fun and Maive was safe with them. Eventually we corralled all the kids, ate dinner, and loaded back up in the cars to head to Rosario Beach.
Low tide was at like 7:33pm or something. I can’t remember the exact time. But we made it over there for the low tide. The beach was surprisingly dead for a summer evening, at the most visited state park. The big kids found the tide pools and followed them along the shoreline as it wraps around the water. They took off. I found them climbing on rocks because of course they were.
It worked out that they took off. After I caught up with them, they found a trail back to the beach while Blaise and I found a trail that went around the cliff we were on. Blaise and I walked around, finding a cool tree, a geological marker, and views galore. We rounded back at the beginning of Rosario Beach, where the statue of the Native woman holding a fish stands.
Back at the beach, Brian was missing, I went to find him and tell him about the trail around the cliff. Before finding him, I found a heron perched on a dock. I went to check out the dock and the heron, trying not to scare them. But as I got closer, they started to take off (I zoomed in, I wasn’t this close). But it was cool to catch them taking off. They literally flew to my right onto the beach. I don’t think they were that scared of me, but didn’t want to be on the dock while I walked.
Everyone was at the beach again. The kids stayed close this time, checking out the tide pools right there. They saw all kinds of critters, including a tiny crab Laine found. The crab wasn’t harmed, and put back where they were found. A pretty successful tide pool outing.
The sun setting views weren’t bad, either!
Thursday was busy. Good busy. I was tired but the kids kept going. They stayed up around the camp fire longer than I did. Maive fell asleep in my arms as I sat around the fire, which is a rarity nowadays. She was zonked! It’s tough keeping up with eight other kids, most of whom are much older than her. I took her to bed around 10pm, and called it a night with her. Baby fell next, and was fast asleep on the top bunk. Eventually all the kids came inside—and Brian after helping to put out the fire—and we were all asleep. I think I logged over nine hours of sleep this night, based on my Apple Watch data. No complaints!
Friday morning was low-key yet busy, for Brian and me. The kids staggered getting up, with Blaise the last one to wake up—he’s always the last one to wake up. Brian and I were already packing up the cabin, and loading the car with all the things that we could with kids still getting up and moving. It always amazes me how quickly we move into a cabin (yurt, hotel room, etc.) and then how quickly we pack up and clear out, as if we hadn’t even been.
Our friends were on for breakfast—pancakes, eggs, and sausage. The kids all ate and got right to putzing around while us adults readied to leave at 11am, check-out time. This was the first trip where we felt like we have things down. It was pretty stress-free packing up the cabin and loading the car. It all went so smoothly. But in keeping with tradition, it’s always something…
It was nearing 11am and we were ready to pull out. Everyone loaded in the already loaded up car, with the cargo box packed and bike rack on, with all six bikes loaded. We turned the car on to pull out. First we had to hit up the ranger station so the girls could get their Junior Ranger badge before heading home. But the car didn’t start. Lovely. Ugh. This car, American cars are the worst. Nan used to say if it wasn’t her elbow it was her knee. Same thing with the Suburban. I love that it’s paid off and fits all of us, and then some. But every month it’s something with the damn car, and we keep up on all the maintenance and whatnot. Thankfully our friends had a jump starter kit. It worked, phew. We were on the road. And we hit Costco the next day and bought the jump starter kit (we haven’t needed it yet, thankfully).
We made it home just after 1pm, to the three pups eagerly awaiting our arrival. It’s always nice to get home earlier in the day so we have the rest of the day to relax after unloading and unpacking. It was a good trip and as much as I’m happy to not have anything more booked this summer, I’m already looking at booking Cape Disappointment State Park for our next cabin trip. I’m itching to get trips on the calendar.
jumpingraccoons.com 