The view from Point Robinson Lighthouse, Maury Island
Yesterday was our first full day on Vashon Island. Eager to see some island scenery and stretch our legs, we drove a mile down the road to the Island Center Forest. This 363-acre forest has 9 miles of hiking trails, two ponds and is open to bikers, hikers, dogs and horses.
We passed a few other hikers but mostly it was very quiet, and besides getting a little lost we were successful in finding both ponds. Though I’ll say one was definitely more of a marsh than a pond but still, it was a fun trek.
Love how green it is here!
Mukai Pond, Island Center Forest, Vashon Island
Marsh or wetlands…definitely not a pond!
Afterwards my mind was fully fixed on lunch but my husband convinced me that we should find the lighthouse on Maury Island first. Maury Island is no longer an actual island by the way. Back in 1916 the Army Corp of Engineers built an isthmus connecting the two islands together, which you can see in this map.
Map of Vashon Island & Maury Island — many think the outline resembles a dancing man
We pulled over once near the Maury Island Marine Park (around the shin of the “dancing man”) to check out the view. From where we were we could see across the water to the mainland, probably somewhere around Des Moines, WA.
Once we found the Point Robinson Lighthouse (located around the knee of the dancing man), I was happy we had put off our burgers and fries because the beach was beautiful. It reminded me a lot of Kodiak with the driftwood and the rocks.
We were able to climb the stairs to the top where Captain Joe, a retired Coast Guard Captain, gave a lecture about the history of the lighthouse. Apparently you can even rent the former “lighthouse keepers” cottages.
Point Robinson, Maury Island
After hiking around all morning, we were in dire need of food and refreshments…but that will have to be tomorrow’s post!
