Evolution of sunset, part 2

Flagler sunset 2

As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, we left the beach at Fort Flagler before sunset. The sky was flat grey and it was downright cold. But I happened to look over my shoulder as we reached the nearby campground. The sky had burst into flames and burned bright gold. I took this shot a few minutes later when we returned to the beach. And it got even better. Check back tomorrow for Evolution of Sunset part 3.

Forest and sunset

Flagler forest

Here’s a stretch of trail we walked last week at Fort Flagler. It’s a beautiful place to walk.

Flagler sunset 1

We also spent time on the beach and thought we’d take in the sunset. But it looked like the sun was going to get buried in dark clouds. So we headed back to camp. Bad call! Check back tomorrow for part 2 of the Evolution of Sunset.

A visit to Fort Flagler

Battery Calwell

Summer rips by fast in the Pacific Northwest and we’ve been eager to put some miles on our new-to-us tiny trailer. Last week we spent a couple of days at historic Fort Flagler on Marrowstone Island. Here’s Battery Calwell, one of the old military installations overlooking Puget Sound. I liked how a little Photoshopping highlighted its features.

Windplay

Collage windplay

Fort Flagler State Park is a beautiful place to camp but it does get windy. Some of the most popular campsites are close to the beach in arguably the most windswept part of the park. Campers in this area celebrate the wind with all manner of flying and twirling color. This is just an assortment. There’s also an entire milieu of forms (flamingos, flags, and mushrooms come to mind) planted closer to the ground.

A return to Fort Flagler

Battery Downes

We camped at Fort Flagler State Park early this month, our second trip there. It’s fast becoming a favorite place. Fort Flagler was originally a military installation tasked with protecting entry into Puget Sound. Like many such sites, the setting is spectacular and now permits public use in a gorgeous area boasting great natural appeal. But the human history, the remains of the old bunkers, is haunting and stark. I rarely see shots in black and white, but Battery Downes at the Fort was an exception.

Battery Downes 2

I’ve been to abandoned ghost towns, Native American ruins, other decommissioned bases, and places left behind. As stark as this place is, it somehow has a greater human presence than I’ve felt at other similar spots. I’m not sure why.