8/28/21 Traveled out of the Northern Cascades mountains today to the Anacortes Island, Washington on the Puget Sound. Weather was perfect, low to mid 60's and clear blue skies. 

Views below from the bridge at Deception Pass looking out to the Puget Sound. Interesting to note that this is the same river, the Skagit River, that ran past our campground in the Cascades. Fog off the cold water of Sound would roll in and out. Lots of fishing boats on the running tide. It was just picture perfect.

Roughly 120 miles off in the distance in the background is a view of Mt Rainier snow capped 14,400 ft peak.

Stopped for lunch at a roadside Shrimp Shack. Long line and even longer wait for the food, but worth it.

Wendy trying to get another stamp for her National Passport book, but unfortunately it had just closed. Admiralty Lighthouse built in the 1861 was decommissioned in the 1922.

View from the lighthouse over the Puget Sound

 8/27/21 - Great day in Northern Cascades. Mid to low 60's today and mist in the mountains. The town of Skagit, our first stop this morning, was a company town in the early 20's owned by the power company.Some of the original buildings remain. The electric company built three dams for hydro electric to supply Seattle. At one time there were a 1,000 workers and a town of 100 homes in this remote area of the Cascade mountains. Rail lines were built etc to move material and workers. Today the three hydro plants supply 20% of Seattle's electric needs.

Baldwin Locomotive

Sculpture in town constructed out of materials used in the power plant.

Cool bridge to old growth cedars right in town of the Skagit River.

1,000 plus old cedar tree on the trail

Counted the rings... about 300 to 400 year old

Falls trail inspired by JD Ross the individual who pushed for the construction of the three dam's.

This afternoon we took an hour cruise on Lake Diablo (Diablo Dam). Aqua green/blue lake from mineral deposits from the 300 + glaciers in the Cascades.

Skies cleared late in the afternoon

Newhalem Creek NP Campground & our campsite.

Skagit River runs just behind our campsite. 

Tonight we head out for pics on the Diablo Dam and JD Ross waterfalls area which is lite at night.

 8/26/21 - Exploring North Cascades NP today with a couple of short hikes. Weather was overcast and low 60's at the start of the day. Although wildfires are in the area, smoke was not a problem today.

        Gorge Dam overlook

Bridge overlook at Gorge Dam to creek waterfalls

      Rainy Lake Trail

Beautiful spot with glaciers in the 10,000 peaks

Very cold water. The lake is at 5,200 ft +/- and air temp dropped to 54 degrees from a balmy 62 in the low lands, 2,500 ft at the campground

Hike back... Wendy trying to get another waterfall picture

Happy Creek Forest Walk was nice but the Falls trail not so happy when set out on the 2.5 mile hike. Elevation gain of 400 feet with the trail nearly straight up. Not so much fun and waterfalls not wotrth the hike. 

Old growth spruce trees along the Happy Creek Walk trail