Pt. Deception Park (Tacoma, WA area)

The first time I visited this park was in November, 2020. Husband and I were on a birthday vacation from Sacramento. It is one of the first places we visited and where I began to fall in love with Washington State. This park is part of the 5 mile drive loop that also is home to the Tacoma Zoo and Aquarium. As you can imagine, the zoo and aquarium were not open due to COVID closures, so we were not able to visit. We started on the 5 mile drive loop and arrived at Owen Beach. This was our first impression of what “beach” looks like on the Sound. I have to admit, I was kind of let down. I grew up in Southern California where beach means waves and sandy shores. This beach is rocky and still. The only water movement happening is from the tiny waves that are created when a boat or ship travel through the Sound delivering to the Tacoma port or the Ferry that travels between Tacoma and Vashon Island.

I stood on the beach and attempted to use the same techniques for relaxing as I typically would on a California beach. What I didn’t realize is that I am used to that cycle of waves sound, the crashing of water on the shore in a rhythm. So I was frustrated that I wasn’t feeling the relaxation roll through me. We opted to instead walk along the beach looking at tiny shells and interesting rocks. There were not many people around, so the quiet was peaceful.

Hopping back into the car, continuing 5 mile drive, we came to the most northern part of the Point and parked near the picnic area. From that point, there is a beautiful view of the Sound and Vashon Island across the water. The picnic area has multiple tables, a patio cover and public restrooms, which again due to COVID were closed.

We started down the trail for a little hike, trying to immerse ourselves in the forest. I was hoping that we were going to enjoy that part more than the beach. Within steps of the car we found ourselves surrounded by giant ferns and trees draped in hanging moss. The trail was packed dirt, but muddy from recent rain and other hikers. About 10 minutes into our walk there was a steep incline (rated easy-moderate) where we stopped for me to catch my breath. That’s when I heard it, or rather didn’t hear anything. There were no bird sounds, no other people sounds, just us and the forest. The calm and nothing-ness there was incredible. It was as if time was standing still. The peace and relaxation I had been looking for at the shore was here in these trees.

After a couple of miles of walking through the mud and forest we came to the other side of the 5 mile drive. As we got closer to that turn around point, we heard a strange buzzing sound that became increasingly louder. It turns out that the State of Washington has trail caretakers and this one was assigned to use a garden blower to clear the trail of debris so that hikers/walkers like us would be able to tread more easily through the leaves and sticks. WHAT? I have never heard of this before. I am used to States using money on a lot of things, but leaf blowing trails? Interesting. As we have found in the past few months after moving here, this State takes a lot of pride in their parks and recreation areas. So leaf blowing where they can, is normal.

In July, 2021, I returned to Pt Defiance to walk that same route with a friend. This time there were birds and flowering plants/trees to enjoy. We even saw raccoons enjoying the space as well as a fawn walk right through the picnic area where we were resting after our walk.