Rockin’ a Hard Place: Finding some quiet spots during our busy summer rock season

It is important for the inhabitants of the rock to find quiet places that are not plagued by the hordes of summer guests.

While we now trundle along our two-lane highways behind huge RVs, wait a while for a table at all our restaurants, or endure the unusual experience of finding a parking space, it is important for us Rock residents to find those quiet places that are not invaded by the hordes of summer visitors.

One of my favorites is the Bluff Trail in Fort Ebey State Park. It winds for more than a mile and offers gorgeous views of the Admiralty Inlet coastline, Port Townsend in the distance, and even a glimpse of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. And this time of year, it doesn’t usually rain and the wind isn’t usually strong enough to blow you off the cliff. It’s also nice that the entrance to the trail isn’t crowded, even though the campgrounds are full, and there’s quite a bit of parking.

I also really like the waterfront trail in downtown Oak Harbor. It’s a combination of sidewalk, gravel, and beach. I start in Flintstone Park on Bayshore Drive, then walk west through Windjammer Park, and finally to Scenic Heights Trailhead Park. This trail is surprisingly uncrowded, and I’ve never encountered a group of tourists. And as I walk it, I can hardly imagine the busyness nearby on Pioneer Way and Highway 20.

While Coupeville is bustling with visitors on Front Street and the wharf, I love walking along the beach from the town park to the boat ramp. You can see barnacles, tiny shore crabs, sailboats and kayakers up close. You can also walk among all the historic buildings along Front Street clinging to the cliff. And you think about what climate change and rising sea levels might mean in the coming decades.

When I’m feeling really adventurous, I like to take the Ebey’s Prairie Trail. Not the steep trail that starts at Ebey’s Landing and draws thousands of hikers each year. No, I really appreciate the relatively new trail that stretches from Fort Casey Road to Rhododendron County Park – three and a half miles! It goes through acres of beautiful farmland and forest. The only downside is that you either have to hike three and a half miles back to your car or have someone pick you up at the park.

Then there’s nothing better than walking my dog ​​in Double Bluff. It’s always been a popular place for dog owners and it’s easy to see why. Dogs can run off leash (as long as they don’t get mad at other dogs). You can take your shoes off and walk in the water with your dogs for a bit. When I’m there, there are always quite a few others there, but there are almost always rock dwellers as well.

South Whidbey State Park is very peaceful and quiet. There are no campgrounds, so relatively few visitors go there. There are nice picnic tables, some with views of Admiralty Inlet, and nice hiking trails. I just like to sit there and enjoy the sounds of nature around me.

And finally, I like spending time at Clinton Beach Park. It’s next to the ferry terminal where visitors’ cars are often backed up for a half mile up the hill. While they sit, grumble and wait, I like to stroll through a beautiful park that has nice amenities like restrooms and picnic tables. You can also walk along the beach and admire some really beautiful beachfront homes.

These are just some of the places where I find peace and quiet during our busy summer season.

Harry Anderson is a retired journalist who works for the Los Angeles Times and now lives in Central Whidbey.