Connecting Washington youth with special places in their backyard

We are 4 interns from the Student Conservation Association working with the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park in Seattle, WA. Our project is aimed at informing urban youth about the opportunities available for them in the National Parks and other cultural areas around Washington. We are especially focused on middle/high school students who are old enough to start being independent, but young enough that they may not have the means to coordinate large trips or outings without assistance.

Interns - Claire Parchem, Sophie Turnbull-Appell, Sarah Dunn, Natasha Way

Other Team Members - Kelseyanne Johnson, Leila Mirhaydari, Jimi Hightower

Monday, June 30, 2014

Exploring Ebey's Landing


On a cloudy Sunday morning, three SCA interns and several Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park employees and volunteers headed up to Mulkiteo to catch the 9:30 AM ferry to Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve. Craig Holmquist, the Ebey’s Landing Operations Manager, was kind enough to show us around the Ferry House which is located close to the quaint little town of Coupeville. Craig gave us a tour of the house and informed us that it is one of the oldest residential buildings in Washington. It was built in 1860 by Winfield Scott Ebey as an Inn to provide financial stability for his brother’s children, who were orphaned when Isaac Neff Ebey was beheaded by Canadian natives. The house is also the site of the Scott Hick’s film Snow Falling on Cedars (1999). We were also pleased to learn that transportation on the island is completely free!
            After Craig bid us goodbye, the Klondike group headed to the Prairie Overlook to begin our descent to the western shore. After finishing our lunches, we walked along the beach for a couple miles, noticing how the sun started to peak out from behind the clouds. Soon we encountered a steep slope which led us up to the bluff. Walking back along the bluff gave us an incredible view of Peregos Lake, the lagoon directly below us, the snowcapped Olympics, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Vancouver Island, and the San Juan Islands. We also encountered several giant ten-lined June beetles along the trail. If you’re afraid of bugs, avoid wearing bright colors. Finally, we made it back to the car where we indulged in brownies and watermelon before wandering around Coupeville, grabbing ice cream, and eventually heading back to the ferry at Clinton.
           
Transportation:
          Coming from Seattle, we took I-405 S and WA-525 S to get to Mukilteo. You can also take the Sounder/North line train from King Street Station (located just a couple blocks from Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park in Pioneer Square) towards Mukilteo Station. If you are between the ages of 6-18 you can take the ferry for a very for a small fee of $2.40. The price for adults is only $4.80 too. As I mentioned before, transportation on Whidbey Island is free!

We highly recommend that you head to Ebey’s Landing this summer for incredible views and relaxing strolls along the beach and bluff! 
Cost Breakdown: $6.40-8.80 ( sounder train fare + under 18 or adult ferry price)

- Sophie Turnbull-Appell, SCA Intern
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