Thirty miles from Seattle, Whidbey Island is 45 miles long and incredibly scenic. It’s the 4th largest island in the United Sates. Only Padre Island in Texas, Long Island in New York, and Isle Royale in Michigan are larger. Whidbey Island has 3 entry points. Ruth and I once spent an entire day exploring and loving it. That’s why we included it in our itinerary on our recent trip, and for the first time we spent a night in its largest town called Oak Harbor. This community has all services and is a perfect destination.
Whidbey Island has 5 state parks, a quaint lighthouse, and interesting small communities to explore. This time we went to and explored Fort Casey after we learned about and visited its newest attraction, the Price Sculpture Forest near Coupeville, its oldest town. Price was a great travel experience, and it is destined to be this island’s premiere attraction.
There are 3 ways to get onto Whidbey Island. The Mukilteo Island ferry connects it to Seattle, takes visitors to the tiny town of Clinton on the island’s south end, and there is a 2nd ferry that leaves from very scenic Poet Townsend on a regular basis for a short hop to the island. The Deception Pass Bridge on this island’s northern end is the 3rd way onto it and my favorite of the 3. Decepton Pass Bridge soars over a beautiful water opening far below it. Whidbey now has a population of about 80,000 people.
Its reputation is that it’s Puget Sound’s largest art colony. Any number of artists, writers, and performers make Whidbey their home. That’s why the Price Sculpture Forest is so Whidbey perfect as a new attraction. It’s biggest disadvantage is it’s small parking lot and its biggest advantage is its unique character and perfect setting among ancient trees. Visiting it is like being in a forest with clever sculptures at every turn.
Whidbey is shaped like a seahorse. This time of year, its many farms selling seasonal wares is its finest attraction. We stopped at many of them to sample Whidbey wares.
The Price Sculpture Forest has a large number of intriguing art works that have been placed among trees. They include soaring eagles and other birds, fun dragons, parts of human bodies, and other subjects too numerous to mention. The artists are clearly named with each art work, the trail to them is easy to negotiate, and its planners promise to change the works to be seen regularly. It’s an almost perfect place to spend an hour or two in a natural setting with one-of-a-kind art works to see as you walk a trail that moves among them.
Hank
Security Conscious 