Morys Musing

Sunday June 17 2018. Happy Father’s Day to all of the fathers out there. Thing of, and missing you, dad. A real bed is much appreciated after you have not slept on one for awhile. I had a very lazy morning. I really wanted to catch up on the blog. Mission accomplished. I also finally shaved although suspected this would cease all free lattes! I was correct.

I got geared up for another day of walking, hiking and enjoying Anacortes. I figured with Father’s Day it would be quiet in town except for the restaurants. There was an option to do an afternoon cruise on that tall ship but I was still undecided.

I had a nice breakfast at the hotel and was off for more exploration of all Anacortes had to offer. It was sunny again and expected to go up to 23 C today.

I decided to skip the tall ship cruise and go for a long walk. There apparently a nice trail along the Guemes Channel close to Ship Harbor. It was mentioned to me at the Visitor’s Centre yesterday.

I had to walk basically back to the Ferry Terminal. There was an entry point off Dakota Avenue but unbeknownst to me there was no public access to the walkway from this end as it was the private property of Lovric’s Sea Craft. I had to walk back up to Oakes Avenue and walk along the busy road and passed a small park appropriately named Roadside Park. I should have taken a closer look but walked on. I eventually had to access the parkway from the terminus of Edwards Way. This involved me walking back along the trail to Lovric’s Sea Craft where a gate ended the trail. Just before the end of the trail there was a set of steep stairs leading to Roadside Park! If I would have known there was a public access point at Roadside Park to Guemes Channel Pathway it would have saved time. Also of interest at the end of the trail there was an interesting sign and view of the “La Merced”. It was an old 4 mast ship built in the early 1900’s and provided different shipping services to different owners until it was retired as a “tide break ship” in the late 1950’s. It’s hull was filled with sand and today it still sits having been encompassed by nature almost like a planter. Neat!

The pathway itself was excellent and well constructed. The long term plan was to connect the Ferry Terminal at Ship Harbor to the Tommy Thompson Trail. Now that would be excellent. The Guemes Channel Pathway was another example of restoration of old canning/fishing plants being converted to recreational pathways and public access to the shoreline. Along the Pathway I had great views of Mount Baker, foxglove in bloom as well as wild rose and bald eagles fishing. A great afternoon choice.

I double-backed along the same trail towards the Ferry Terminal and found another trail called SHIP (Ship Harbor Interpretative Preserve). It connected the Guemes Trail to the Ferry Terminal. It was a wetland migration area and also very pretty.

From the Ferry Terminal I went up to Sunset Avenue and then down to Flounders Bay. There was a nice marina I had seen from the viewpoint at the Washington State Park.

I thought I would catch transit back but they do not operate on Sunday! I walked back to the Ferry Terminal, then SHIP and finally Guemes Channel Pathway (which I know knew like the back of my hand). I finally climbed those steep stairs to Roadside Park and then back to Old Town in Anacortes.

I walked about 24 km so was ready for a bite. I went up the the rooftop bar at the Majestic Inn and had a passion fruit ale and a pork slider followed by strawberry-rhubarb pie. The evening was punctuated with a G&T as the sun set.

A wonderful day and a great way to end my Anacortes experience. I have a relatively early ferry tomorrow at 8:30 AM to head back to the “true north strong and free” Sidney BC.

I will enjoy the last night in that comfortable bed!