In a rare morning, I’m the only one awake at 6 AM. The sunrise over the Strait of Juan De Fuca proved too alluring to me. Two photographs later and I could relax. I’ll miss waking up to a view of Mount Baker in the distance. It really has been beautiful here.
Yesterday we opted to skip naps for the kids, in the hopes they would better readjust to East Coast time soon. They did wonderfully, being sports about our activities and never complaining.
After our hike to the dam at Mountain Lake, we returned to the house for a quick lunch. Then we piled back in the car in the hopes of catching the low tide at Eastsound and walking out to the island at Fishing Bay. For some reason we missed low tide, so instead we went to the airport to see the beginning of the Orcas Island Fly-In. This turned out to be a better plan, as both kids were racing around, talking excitedly about the planes.
We strolled around on the grassy areas of the airport, peeking into cockpits and chatting with pilots for a little while. Then as Kelly returned to the house to get swimsuits, the kids and I bided our time in the biplane hanger, where I browsed the many photographs on the wall and the kids tried out the toys and rideable airplane toys.
Kelly returned soon and we all went back to Cascade Lake (after checking the tides once again). There the kids played on the playground with me while Kelly swam across the lake and back! I was impressed she would do that in such chilly water, but she loved it. The kids and I gave her a warm welcome from the dock upon her return.
The kids wanted some time in the water at that point, so we got them suited up and they played in the swim area until they both were visibly shivering. Then we bundled them up in towels and put them in their carseats for the trip back to the house. It was only when we neared the house that the eyelids in the back seat began to drift closed.
Baths followed promptly upon returning, during which I cooked a chili dinner. After eating, Kelly read to the kids and I bid them goodnight. Kelly and I then stayed up a bit later and read our books. We went to bed around 10 PM PDT.
One thing we didn’t do that I’d have liked is get out on the water. Sure, we rented the rowboat at Cascade Lake, but that doesn’t count. I’d have loved to have rented a sailboat and toured the island from the water. Maybe next time we’ll take a boat out.
Today we hope to return to the airport, where more planes should be present. I hope the kids get a chance to sit in some of them, as they both clearly love to see the planes. Later today we will begin the process I’ve been dreading: preparing to leave. Garbage will need to be hauled out, belongings rounded up, and the like. Our last task before returning the keys is to wash all the sheets – a task which will keep us from lining up for the morning’s first ferry, much to our regret. Our best bet is the 9:10 ferry to Anacortes, but with Sunday being the busiest travel day around here we’ll have to hope we get a spot on it.
I’ll finish posting this and then I’ll sneak back out the back deck and take in that beautiful sunrise. I’ll miss it when we return to Raleigh.
Glad to hear you made it up to our property. It’s not as high as Mt. Constitution but you can’t get the same view from Mt. Constitution. (I think we are about at 1200 feet. Buck is 1300 feet high. Constitution is 2400.) It only takes about 8 minutes each way to get up there but I doubt we’ve ever made it roundtrip in less than 2 hours. Just can’t tear ourselves away from the view!
I see you are already thinking about the next time! The island does grab you doesn’t it? On our last trip we took my stepson and his girlfriend with us. Prior to the trip I’m sure they thought we were crazy to want to move to an island so far away from Florida but now they understand and are wishing they could do the same. They really hated to leave our magic island and go back to sweltering mundania. (Don’t we all?)
Good luck on the ferry. When we left on a Saturday we drove down to the ferry and got in line just as the previous ferry left. Then our friends drove us back into town then brought us back just before the ferry left so we didn’t have to sit in line very long. If you are not back on time they will just go around you. Believe there is a bus during the summer that you can take so you might consider getting up early and packing the car then take it down and park in line and come back after you wash the sheets.
If you do wait in line for a long time how about going by the Orcas hotel and ask them what is wrong with their webcam? I wrote them and they said they knew it was down and were trying to figure out why. I get the feeling from your earlier blogs that you speak computer quite well. Perhaps you can give them a hand. Since it’s been down since June 26th I get the feeling they are in way over their heads. If they need components let me know. I have a garage full of computer parts and can get them any software they need. If they need money I’d be glad to donate to the cause.
Ron
Good idea about the Orcas Hotel. I do speak computer and would be happy to troubleshoot their webcam. I figure I’ll probably check it out now and then, too!
I like the idea of packing the car early. We’ll look into doing that.
It’s been another beautiful day here. I’ll send you some pictures!
Mark
I asked the coffee chick about the camera. She acted as if it was the first she’d heard about it not working.
Hopefully that was enough for them to get it fixed again.