We live on a heavily wooded peninsula. It is nearly surrounded by the sea except for a small land mass on the South/Central end. We are connected to “modern times” by ferries and bridges. It’s a different, but special, life style that we have chosen for retirement. We enjoy the geography and wildlife here. We look for a new trail to hike each week. Sometimes the trails are recommended by friends or guide books, other times we find them by poking around on our own.
Our last hike was suggested by my husband, who was researching something unrelated to hiking; the history of a really bad winter storm that destroyed some amateur radio antennas and sunk the Hood Canal floating bridge in 1979. Near the site of the station and the remaining antenna tower relics is a coastal sanctuary located in Foul Weather Bluff Preserve.
The hike started through a forest of large standing trees plus snags and logs, evidence of foul weather events, covering its floor. Something else was there too…survivor trees. There must be a forestry term for trees that have continued to thrive on the debris of their predecessors (anyone know?) There were several sprouting up from fallen trees and one literally suspended in a horizontal position.
The trail lead us to the bluff itself, where madrona trees appear perched to dive into the water. An entry trail onto the beach had a view of Skunk Bay, the Olympic Mountains to the West and the Cascade Mountains in the distant North East.
Being a preserve, the trail and beach were filled with birds and sea creatures. The tide was way out, as required to actually walk on the beach, and there were many interesting things to see; oysters, clams, mussels (or their intact shells) and sea anemones. Anemones on the beach look very different from when they are under water. Instead of waving their feelers, they squirt if you walk too close. There were large piles of dead sand dollars stranded on the beach when the tide went out. In addition, there was a multitude of open iridescent purple shells – recent snacks for the shore birds.
We enjoy living close to the sea and a variety of hiking trails. This one was a favorite. I think I’ll let my husband recommend some other trails for us to explore! Where is your favorite place to walk or hike?
ARTISTIC PENSION 
As a fellow Pacific Northwest resident, my favourite hikes are the same as yours I think! Seashores, forests, mountains…what else do you need? 😄
Deb
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Hard to think of anything else!!!
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Lovely photos and enjoyed the read. The sea looks quite calm. 😉
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Thank you! It was quite calm. Yesterday, not calm at all!
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I can almost smell the ocean! And the moist tree smell. Thanks for taking me with you!
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Great comments! I was so focused on what I saw and photographed that I forgot about the smells. They were definitely there!!
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You live in a beautiful part of the world. I can see why you like hiking around there. I usually go to a city park when I want to go for a walk. The ocean is a far piece away from here.
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I’ve walked in many a city park too and always enjoyed that as well!
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You sure moved to a beautiful area! I remember seeing trees growing out of other trees on our hikes on Vancouver Island. I think there was a name for them (Donna may know) but it escapes me.
My favorite hike where I live is the Seven Bridges urban hike that starts in Balboa Park and winds its way – over seven bridges – through the older, historic neighborhoods.
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Janis, that made me think of “Seven Bridges” road in Alabama, but I see from the web site it is a very different thing! My palms are sweating just thinking of walking across those bridges. However, it looks very interesting and the bridge photos are stunning! I still haven’t figured out what those trees are called….yes, I saw them on Vancouver Island too (which is not far away). It might be a PNW thing??
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I think, because of the weather there, the old trees break down quickly into a rich “soil” full of nutrients. This makes for a perfect base for another tree to grow out of. Nature is an amazing artist.
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Hi, Tracey – That looks like an awesome hike. I love hikes that my husband and I discover on our own. We are fortunate to live along a forest, and a short walk from the ocean. So which ever way we walk it’s a win-win!
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Ideal! Do you happen to know what they call those trees that sprout up from fallen trees? My internet search failed.
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Hi, Tracey – I didnt know there was a specific name for them. I only know the name for the fallen tree – Nurse Logs. Sorry about this.
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What a change from Texas! You certainly have some extremely beautiful places to visit now!
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It really is, Marty. It’s so nice to be near the water again.
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Sounds lovely! Ally Bean sent me. 🙂
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Really?! That’s nice to know. Welcome!
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