Deception Pass

Deception Pass is Washington’s most-visited state park for a reason. We figured this as we stumbled upon it's bridge, and all the parked cars, on our way to the Cascade Mountains. 

Quickly the easy to spot coves, rugged cliffs, to-die-for water views and a stomach-dropping high bridge, make this park a go-to! 

We were informed that "If you know only the landmark green bridge at Deception Pass State Park, you don’t know this park". We clearly don't know this park, because we were going to stop half way across the bridge!

Apparently you don't just snap photos from the overlooks at the bridge, but the bridge is a sight, it spans the saltwater below as it rips through the pass.  Deception Pass State Park is said to be 'a poor man’s San Juan Island getaway'...with all those island landscapes, without the ferry wait and costs. 400 to 600-year-old trees. beaches, picnic areas, tide pools, rocky headlands and sweeping views to the farthest horizon!

While traveling to Deception Pass wasn't a day trip it could have been. We could have easily spent a few days in the area. 

If you are wondering why it's named Deception Pass, you're not alone. We all had our suspicions: deceptively beautiful, deceptive currents, deceptively  tall bridge...to name a few. We quickly found out the reasoning!

George Vancouver gave it the name "Deception" because it had misled him into thinking Whidbey Island was a peninsula. The "deception" was heightened due to Whidbey's failure to find the strait at first. In May 1792, Vancouver was anchored near the southern end of Whidbey Island. 

So there you have it, yet another part of our wonderful country with jaw-dropping views - we thoroughly enjoyed the hike and our dog did too;)