When it comes to SugarLoaf, the Third time is the Charm

Whidbey island is a rather long and large island, extending 55 miles from tip to tip and between 1 and 12 miles wide, covering over 160 square miles.  At the southern tip, the Washington State Ferry is kind enough to charge us a few dollars to haul us over to the mainland by boat.  At the northern tip, we can drive over a bridge, cross over Deception pass, and drop onto Fidalgo island.

At only 41 square miles, is may look like a dwarf next to Whidbey, but topographically, Fidalgo is impressive.  Fidalgo has several peaks over 1000 feet, which may be wimpy for the mountainous west, but are impressive on a small island.   Anyone with two or four wheels can drive up the side of Mt. Erie and admires the view from the summit, but the lack of authenticity involved in driving to a summit prompts many to move to neighboring Sugarloaf, for a traffic-free hike up to the summit, with an equally stunning view... on the odd occasion when the weather is cooperative.   

To me Sugarloaf suggests the trail must be padded with soft white sand or evergreen needles, and the grade easy enough to "loaf" up the mountain.  A few steps onto the trail will dispel all such illusions and a quick check on Wikipedia tells us that instead, Sugarloaf is named for its characteristic conical shape, similar to the shape in which sugar was produced and sold until the late nineteenth century.

The hike up Sugarloaf is steep but short.  I had done it twice before, only to reach the top and find my head in the clouds, fog, or both.   A summit without a view.

This past Friday, however, after two days of rain and overcast skies, a golden opportunity rose with the sunrise in the eastern sky.  Hopeful, we hopped in the car and headed north, up the island, wondering: would the third time be the charm?

The rest goes without saying.

Sitting atop the summit, a window of time that might otherwise be forgotten, became a moment of simple, unforgettable joy.

A memory  to hold close and warm to my heart, when the rain and the chill comes back in a short few months.