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Mukilteo to Whidbey Is. via Deception Pass & a ferry return??

Mukilteo to Whidbey Is. via Deception Pass & a ferry return??

Old Mar 28th, 2015, 04:16 PM
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Mukilteo to Whidbey Is. via Deception Pass & a ferry return??

We will have a full day in Mukilteo and we are thinking we might visit Whidbey Island. The two men in the group love driving and bridges us two ladies love scenery and photography, would it be worthwhile driving to the island via the Deception Pass Bridge, then back via the ferry?

I thought it may be a nice way to fill the day, quite relaxing but enjoyable.
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Old Mar 28th, 2015, 10:27 PM
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Definitely worth the drive, as you say, an enjoyable and relaxing day. I actually ended up spending more time at deception pass than at Mukilteo (which was my original destination). I did not end up taking the ferry after all, so can't speak for that, sorry. Can't remember if it was the money or or the car line (it was during the summer so it might have been both).

Also, if you haven't been to la conner, wa, that's also an enjoyable and relaxing afternoon- about 15 miles from Deception Pass, and I'm pretty sure I did that the same day.
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Old Mar 29th, 2015, 06:18 AM
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On Whidbey Island, Coupeville, Captain Whidbey Inn, and Penn Cove are among the destinations that provide good photo opts. You could return to Mukilteo via La Conner, and the Skagit Valley (where tulips fields are blooming now).

HTtY
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Old Mar 29th, 2015, 06:32 AM
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We will have a full day in Mukilteo and we are thinking we might visit Whidbey Island. The two men in the group love driving and bridges us two ladies love scenery and photography, would it be worthwhile driving to the island via the Deception Pass Bridge, then back via the ferry?

Yes, just as I suggested in your January thread: http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...ng-factory.cfm

As for the choice of whether to start or end with the ferry, my suggestion would be to consult the Deception Pass current chart at http://tides.mobilegeographics.com/locations/1528.html - to see when the maximum current flow through the pass will occur. I'd recommend trying to be there around that time - it makes an already beautiful place downright awesome (if you're on a big flood/ebb day) as the water rushes through the channel. So use that information to decide whether to traverse Whidbey north-to-south, or v.v.

If you have a full day, then you could (should) also visit the marvelous little waterfront towns of La Conner (on the mainland before you reach Fidalgo Island at the north end of Whidbey) and, on Whidbey, Langley, close to the Mukilteo ferry. Either would be great for, say, a late breakfast or dinner. And in addition to Deception Pass, make a stop at Fort Casey State Park, next to the Port Townsend ferry terminal near Coupeville. Fort Casey has a great lighthouse, and some impressive coastal defense gun batteries - interesting history, scenic site.

Fortify yourselves with a great piece of pie at Whidbey Pies at Greenbank Farms, partway up (down)the island. http://www.whidbeypies.com/
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Old Mar 29th, 2015, 07:15 AM
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I've done both several times and both routes are well worth taking. A deciding factor may be the number of cars waiting for the ferry. I've seen it where I could drive right onto to the next trip and I've also seen it where the wait was being quoted in multiples of hours.

I always enjoy a day on Whidbey, whatever the route.
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Old Mar 29th, 2015, 01:59 PM
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Thanks one and all.......fantastic thoughts.
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Old Mar 31st, 2015, 03:06 PM
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aussiedreamer, I have an off topic question for you. I was reading your Beijing report, and I am wondering if you could tell me what car service you used in Beijing. We will be staying at the same hotel you did, so I hope the rest of your trip was as nice as the part you reported on!
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Old Apr 1st, 2015, 01:24 AM
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Eastave..... http://beijingcardriver.com Happy to recommend...john ping.
You will love the hotel.
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Old Apr 1st, 2015, 01:13 PM
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Thank you so much!

And, have a good upcoming trip.
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