July 20, 2013
The morning was gray and cool. We headed north towards Whidbey Island via Deception Pass. Our plan was to explore a couple of Parks and a couple of Forts then head south to the Mukilteo Ferry which would drop us off on Ivars of Mukilteo's doorstep for dinner.
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We stopped at Rosario Beach, a small cove on the southwestern corner of Fidalgo Island. Our picnic table overlooked the tide pools and Rosario Strait.
 
     
   
     
Mom admires the sheltered bay to the West.
 
     
   
     
Because of excessive trampling in the past, there is a rope trail system at the tide pools. We were urged to walk along the rope.
   
     
   
     
Ooooooh, better than bubble wrap for popping, but it was hands off the seaweed today. A volunteer told me that a Pacific Northwest octopus and a rare Purple Sea Star had been seen earlier that morning when the tide was out.
 
     
   
     
I was entertained by the territorial battles of some tiny swallows. Here's a pair keeping an all-around watch.

     
   
     
Danger! Danger!
 
     
   
     
First, they mount a verbal assault.
   
     
   
     
Then it's an all-out war. Ouch!
 
     
   
     
Meanwhile, boaters and kayakers had fun out in the Strait.

     
   
     

On the shore was a two-sided carving of the Maiden of Deception Pass, a Swinomish Indian Tribal legend told told by Charlie Edwards to Martin Sampson, 1938 [ link to story ].

We also took a ride around Deception Pass State Park, visiting the North Beach and the West Beach.
     
   
     
Next we stopped at Fort Ebey. It was originally built as a coastal defense fort in World War II.
 
     
   
     
Concrete platforms show the gun locations.
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