After yet another relaxing and leisurely morning, and being well fed we set off to explore this beautiful island. We headed north towards the Deception Bridge. Some interesting facts to ponder about the bridge: it is approximately 180 feet from the bridge to the water, on average 20,000 cars cross over it each day, and the current runs at about 9kts under the bridge depending on the tide. In the spring of 1792, Joseph Whidbey, master of HMS Discovery and Captain Vancouver's chief navigator, sailed through the narrow passage that is now called Deception Pass and proved that it was not really a small bay as charted by the Spaniards (hence the name "Deception"), but a deep and turbulent channel that connects the Strait of Juan de Fuca with the Saratoga Passage, which separates the mainland from what they believed was a peninsula (actually Fidalgo Island and Whidbey Island). Every year this bridge becomes the last step for many people as they choose to end their lives by jumping in the frigid waters; with a 90% fatality rate, many are ‘successful.’ After a brief hike up, over and around the bridge we set off to for some higher sights – Mt. Erie. At an elevation of about 1200 feet, Mt. Erie provided a picturesque panoramic view of Whidbey and the surrounding areas. Back at Paul and Sue’s we feasted on crap and steak while visiting with more family. We turned in early on the longest day of the year in preparation for our longest drive yet. 
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