Jetty Island

I've been trying to find different things to do with the kids this summer to get them out and learning about the world.

Some things have been a hit, while others have been a total bust.

One of the busts was our first trip to Jetty Island. 

Jetty Island is a man-made island in Everett and is only accessible by taking a little foot-ferry.

The Everett Parks Department advertises Jetty Island as follows:  

Wriggle your toes in the warm sand, play in the water and explore the nature trails of Everett’s two-mile long scenic gem. Jetty Island beaches are among Puget Sound’s sandiest and its waters are a kite boarder’s paradise. Come and play!

Sounds great, doesn't it? 

I think I temporarily forgot that I live in the Pacific Northwest 

and was expecting something comparable to a beach in Florida.

I pictured warm temperatures, 

beautiful sand, 

 and shallow, clear water.

I pictures my kids playing in the sand,

wading in the warm water,

and splashing in the little waves.

I must have been delusional.

Amy, Ashley, Shelby and Cade joined us on our excursion. 

I think they, too, were expecting something a little more 'beachy'.

The little ferry ride was fun and Kate and Chase loved it (while Reece screamed in protest as soon as the ferry started moving). 

 

But as soon as we got off of the ferry, we were blasted with cold wind. 

Obviously not what we were expecting since we all were minimally dressed and wearing our bathing suits (luckily I had thrown sweatshirts on the kids at the last minute!).

After short hike across the island to get to the sandy beach, 

were were greeted by a very low tide, 

sand that was comparable to dirt and covered with stinky seaweed, 

freezing cold, gray, murky water, 

and some absolutely relentless wind.

A far cry from the beach I had pictured.

 

My kids, however, really enjoyed running in the mucky sand, 

splashing in the mud puddles, and exploring the 'beach'.

 I can't say that Cade felt the same way though.

It was a good day for kite flying and the little ones enjoyed pointing and waving at all of the kites that surrounded us.

After we huddled together on the beach and ate our lunches, we waited for the minutes to tick by until we could go board the return ferry back to the mainland.

 

It was a cold and disappointing trip, 

but at least now we know we aren't missing out on anything at Jetty Island :)