how about Hyundais On Whidbey Island (HOWI for short)?
So the idea has been kicked around for awhile. I know that weekend won't work for everyone, but realistically, no date will have 100% yesses. I've been told that at least 5 people are a go for this.
There is enough stuff to do on the island, it could be a two day event if we want it to be, or a one day drive-n-photo shoot. I figured that the "breathtaking waterfronts, lush forests, rolling fields, and quaint townes" would make a fun drive. It's kind of a different world on the island, a phenomenon that locals call "island time."
From the Alderwood Mall (
NB exit 181B, follow Alderwood Mall Pkwy to Sears Parking lot. OR SB exit 181, go east on 196th St., left on Alderwood Mall Pkwy to Sears Parking Lot ) across the ferry, up Highway 20, back down I-5 would be about a 4.5-5 hour loop if we didn't stop. But it'd be fun to stop at a few places along the way.
Some ideas would be:
Mukilteo Lighthouse & state park. We gotta stop here anyways while we wait to load the ferry. The
Diamond Knot Brewery is across the street if you want a micro-brew, and a meal served on a sizzling slab of granite.
Greenbank Farm - Wine tasting, poetry reading, rhododendron and daffodil gardens.
Fort Casey - bring picnic supplies, and wind jacket. A kite/frisbee/football might be fun, and if you're adventurous: a flashlight and change of shoes/socks for exploring the bunkers
Fort Ebey State Park - Doesn't have as much parking, trails, or firepits as deception pass. When I've been there, it was blustery, but secluded.
Not far away from there is Oak Harbor. The town supports a Naval Air Base (or maybe it's the other way around
), a drive in theatre, go karts, an observatory, and is the county seat. So it's almost big enough to be a "real town."
Deception Pass - (careful where you swim, treacherous waters in the pass.) But Cranberry Lake, showers and campsites at the state park right next to it. There are miles of beach, trails, cliffs, a large parking lot, over 300 picnic tables, etc. In my opinion, those that never get to the Island MUST stop here. If we make a multi-day trip, this is an awesome place to see a sunset.
Rosario Beach - they host retreats here fairly often as the rugged shoreline makes quite a backdrop. It's located just across Deception Pass from the state park. It is a marine research facility owned by Walla Walla University, I believe.
La Conner - April is the month of the
Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. Plenty to see between Mount Vernon and here.
From La Conner, it's roughly a 30 mile drive back to Alderwood.
So I'm not sure who'd be interested in which stops, but speak up, and let's make some plans for what stops we want to hit, roughly what time of day to be there, etc. Or, if you know of other things that might be of interest, let us know. I think this is the first meet we've had this far north in WA, and it'd be a great way rev up for the summer. POOR PUN ALERT.
Whidbey Island Run April 26 or 27th
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