We rode on a ferry! Old news for the rest of us since Grandma lives on Whidbey Island, but for Tinkham the tilting deck, the wind in her face, and the seemingly endless expanse of water was amazing. She stood on the deck and just stared.

Then there was the beach. Sand is so different from dirt and doesn't taste at all the same. So gritty and salty. And the water? WHOA! Salty salty salty! Ick! And it moves! The tiny waves rolled in and each one was as surprising as the previous one. Maybe this wave tastes better, but no. Sadly. All the waves taste terrible. But maybe this one...

From the beach we climbed up the Wilbert Trail, onto the Fern Gully Trail, and back to the car on the Ridge Trail. I'd never been here before so that was new to me, but it's very similar to other trails like our home trail, though less crowded. (We saw four people all day.) The massive 500 year old cedar tree was protected in the 1970s by activists that blocked loggers. Tink sniffed it all and splashed through puddles. It seems inconceivable that she is stoked on the ever-present mud and wet that permeates the PNW, but she'd only been on trail in the snow and a rare dry day.

The Fern Gully Trail is a beautiful trail perfect for a contemplative walk through the woods and the gem of the park. The Ridge Loop Trail is an old road slowly returning to nature, but it's got a long way to go. When the Fern Gully Trail intersects the Ridge Loop Trail go south and use the Wilbert Trail back to the parking lot. Of course, Tink loved running on the open road even though I was a bit disappointed with it.

Bonus: Her tiny legs make it look like we're trailrunning. Those that have hiked with me know I don't run unless chased. By a bear. A big bear.

Once we were headed home she slept through the car ride, the ferry ride, and even a stop for gas. Tink has had her first island experience and loved it. The next time won't be her first, but like all labs she'll probably be just as enthusiastic for the adventure. Don't you wish you were a dog, too?