Anacortes, WA
|
Ah, Anacortes: such a beautiful city. It has grown quite a
lot since I was last here, and you can see in the left image how large the
town is. It continues on to the left and right beyond the photograph for
nearly another full photo width in each direction and also stretches out
into the distance past the far peaks. The town is getting large enough that
a new movie theater is being put up in the summer of 2001, to accompany the
scores of stores that run along Commercial Ave. This picture was taken at
Cap Sante park, a small peak at the northwest end of Anacortes.
|
Cap Sante, WA
|
hiking at Cap Sante
|
The views from the top of Cap Sante are breathtaking. You can
see across the ocean to the San Juan Islands and can see the entire town
of Anacortes stretched out from north to south. Cap Sante can be reached
from multiple points, including several human/animal trails that wind their
way through the dense foliage surrounding Cap Sante. To the left you can
see one such trail that leads into the shaded woods behind me. You can also
drive up to the lookout point, seen to the right, and start your explorations
there.
|
lookout at the top of Cap Sante
|
even more rock climbing
|
I'm certain I didn't get enough experience climbing on rocks
as a kid because every time I see a peak like this, I have to get to the
top. With the irregular shape of the rocks and the trees rising up around
the stones, it is very easy to climb to any point on Cap Sante. You can tell
how pleased I am to have so many things to climb so close to home. During
late summer and early fall this area, like the rest of Anacortes, is covered
with blackberry bushes in full fruiting. If you ever get hungry while out
in the woods, you can just reach out and have yourself an early lunch.
|
"Top of the world, Ma!"
|
Rotary Park, WA
|
Rotary Park is an area that is half dense woods and half rocky
beach. It sits right at the base of Cap Sante, and there are even several
well-worn trails that lead up to the peak. The forest in not very dense,
allowing someone to trailblaze if he or she is so inclined. The trails that
lead to and from Cap Sante allow hikers a chance to explore a wooded area
without having to walk up a mile long stretch of paved road.
|
trailblazing, or something like it
|
Rotary Park beach
|
The beach in Rotary Park is as pretty as the view from Cap
Sante, although those without strong soles in their shoes may find the rocky
shore quite taxing to walk upon. Seaweed washes up on the shore frequently,
giving sand fleas a place to thrive, and honeybees swarm around the rocks
at the end of the shore, probably getting what water they can from the seaweed
stuck in the cracks. The water does not have very much sea life, save for
the hundreds of small crabs that constantly fight over territory and a few
scraps of food.
|
my personal bench at Rotary Park
|
sunset in Anacortes
|
The beach to the south of the Anacortes harbor provides a spectactular
view of the sunset. You can almost hear Otis Redding in the background when
the sun goes down in the western ocean. The photo to the right shows not
Cap Sante, but actually a mountain looming over the outskirts of Anacotes.
Mt. Erie is fairly mountain, rising a mere 1270 ft. above sea level. It makes
for another nice place to explore, as the area is honeycombed with trails
designated for motorbikers, bicyclists, and hikers. Surrounded by four crystal
clear lakes, it is often the ideal vacation area for traveling families during
the summer. People usually come into this area during fall, as the fungal
season begins and wild mushrooms start springing up all over the woods.
If you know what to pick, you can make a fine stew for almost nothing.
|
Mt. Erie, WA
|
Lady of the Sea
|
This is at the same shoreline south of the Anacortes harbor
that I'm sitting at in the above-left photo. The statue is of a woman in
18th-century garb, comforting her child as she looks out across the sea for
her husband's ship. The base of the statue has a list of people from Anacortes
who have been lost at sea each year, and beneath that there is a plaque that
reads:
LADY OF THE SEA
"Dedicated to those who work and play in the sea, and the families and
friends who wait for them." -Ray Separovich: mariner, father, public servant
Sculpted by Deborah Copenhaver 1994
|
memorial plaque for Lady of the Sea
|
