Fort Flagler Summer 2013

Fort Flagler Summer 2013

 

Fort Flagler, another “favorite place”, provided us a home base for the summer.  As with all Washington State Parks, there is a 10 limit on your stay.  With careful planning we reserved 40 nights throughout the summer from June 1^st to September 1^st.  The park sits at the tip of Marrowstone Island, across the bay from Port Townsend.  In good weather the views are magnificent!

 

When reservations go well, our sites are in the first or second row from the beach.

 

 

A short walk through the beach grass places you on the rocky shore of Puget Sound.  This is looking east.

This is looking west toward the Olympic National Park and Olympic Mountain Range.

 

Here’s a view of our RV from the beach.



 

 

On a clear day, Mt. Baker shows herself across Puget Sound to the east.

 

The sun sets late in the Northwest. The sun set at 9:00 pm this night. 

 

This year blessed us with the sighting of a Goldfinch right in front of the coach.  Blue Herons visit the calmer areas of the bay inside coves and inlets.

Eagles fly over frequently or sit in the trees for hours.

 

The daily deer count remains a fun activity.This year we saw several fawns. One baby still wobbled on his tiny legs.

Fort Flagler along with Forts Worden and Casey were designed to protect the entrance to Puget Sound. Although no guns were ever fired, their gun batteries, officer’s row and barracks provide plenty of walking area, picturesque views and a peek at history. Concerts are held at the Henry Bankhead Battery during the summer months. 

Traffic on Puget Sound also makes our stay interesting.  Cargo ships, ferries, cruise liners, navy boats and all kinds of pleasure crafts sail these waters.  Cruise ships often sail out on the same tide, so three or four many pass by within minutes.                               

Sometimes a navy ship comes to Indian Island, next door, to drop their armaments before heading down the sound.  Sighting a nuclear submarine with its entourage of Coast Guard boats and Navy protection boats stirs most campers’ interests.

 

Crab fishing ranks as a #1 activity for many Flagler visitors. Here kids drop their crab pots right off the dock at the marina part of the campground.

People and pet watching are great here too!  Check out this dog carrying his own lease! Of course, Ashley prefers to nap in the sun.  Murphy likes collecting the rays, too!

 

Our rent-a-grandkid loves to fly her kite here when the winds are good for that activity. 

The carriers behind the bike may hold children or small dogs.


 Bike riding continues to be popular with the beginners and the experienced riders.





Many a small child goes around and round the beach campground clattering on plastic training wheels.  Often this is the place where those wheels are removed. 
 
Sometimes a fall needs a little TLC
before going out again.

 The experienced riders take to the park trails. Others just take a leisure ride around the beach.

Mystery Bay provides a safe harbor for pleasure boats and a scenic view on our way to Fort Flagler.  Check out this stunning photo I caught on a trip out of the park.

 

Fog frequently visits this area. Weather this year includes more sunny days than wet or foggy days.  This inlet is on the way into Port Hadlock.

 

Returning to Bremerton takes you out Beaver Valley Road with its farmland and rural sights. We've spent more time than we want on this road this summer.