The Whidbey Scenic Isle Way

Our Stay in Sedro-Woolley, WA

A Scenic Roadtrip!

Once in a while, we like to give our feet and legs some needed rest, so we made a road trip and saw eight recommended highlights advertised by the “Scenic Washington, byways and road trips” brochure. 

Anacortes, WA

We arrived early in downtown Anacortes. The local stores and restaurants were opening up. We strolled around for a bit, admiring the murals about the city’s past with local businessmen, immigrants, and smugglers! The century-old vintage clock is still working.
Anacortes - Mural
Anacortes - Mural
Anacortes - Main Street
Anacortes - Main Street

Deception Pass State Park, WA

Deception Pass State Park is Washington’s most visited state park, with over two million annual visitors and over 35 miles of trails. We could see the park for free with our Washington Discover Pass, so we stretched our legs by strolling about two miles along the saltwater shoreline through old forests. I am glad we did because we got magnificent views of the Deception Pass Bridge, which opened in 1935, connecting the Fidalgo and Whidbey islands.
Deception Pass State Park
Deception Pass State Park
Deception Pass Bridge
Deception Pass Bridge

Oak Grove Smith Park, WA

In Oak Park, the largest town on Whidbey Island, we went to Smith Park to understand what it must have been like when these Garry oak trees were still abundant. Some of the approximate 150 oaks in the park are over 400 years old!

Smith Park
Smith Park
Garry Oak Trees
Garry Oak Trees

Fort Casey Historical State Park

In the 1890s, Fort Casey was a state of a military defense system made of concrete with modern weaponry. Within 30 years, the fort lost its defense mechanism due to more effective technologies like long-distance guns on warships and planes being able to carry heavy bombs. Hence, Fort Casey was abandoned. 

Fort Casey Historical State Park
Fort Casey Historical State Park
Fort Casey's Modern Weaponary
Fort Casey's Modern Weaponary
View from Fort Casey
View from Fort Casey
Admiralty Head Lighthouse
Admiralty Head Lighthouse
The Admiralty Head Lighthouse had a similar lifespan. It was built in 1903, replaced the wooden building, and was deactivated in 1922. Today, Fort Casey Historical State Park and Admiralty Head Lighthouse give a detailed insight into how life was for soldiers and lightkeepers more than a century ago. Would they have enjoyed the view of the surrounding waters as I did?

Langley, WA

Our last visit was to the “Village by the Sea,” the charming town of Langley. After wandering around, through the streets and along the shore, we sat down at a cozy restaurant to celebrate hubby’s birthday with a nice dinner. A perfect ending to a day cruising the picturesque Whidbey Scenic Isle Way.

Downtown Langley
Downtown Langley
"Village by the Sea"
"Village by the Sea"
Downtown Langley
Downtown Langley

Date

Saturday, June 24, 2023

Distances

About
5.5 miles

Moving Time

About 2.5 hours

WEATHER

57 to 63 °F, gentle breeze, clouds and sun