“Here Grandma! A blackberry for you!”
Pam came up to visit for the weekend. It was so fun to have a good excuse to get out and spend the day away. We spent Saturday on Whidbey Island, taking the ferry there and back. Two weekends ago we took the ferry to Kingston with Scotland for the time. He was particularly entranced by the cars and motorcycles driving on and off the boat. A few days before Pam arrived we were asking him if he’d like to go on a ferry again. He said yes, and then thinking about it for a time said, “Let’s drive our car on the ferry and then the people will see us!” The other quote from the day was after seeing a group of bikers at the pier Scotland pointed to them and said “Dad, look, pirates!” Whidbey is a beautiful quaint island. There are a few towns that have become centers of summer vacation homes, but the majority of the island seems more in line with the life of a sailor, rustic lots and worn down houses.
We enjoyed our morning in Coupeville. Walking along the street front town center, admiring the views and taking in the resort town quaintness. The highlight for me was hearing the Shifty Sailors a group of male retirees who walked down the street serenading everyone with sailor diddies.
They provided the perfect opportunity to sit around and take in the beautiful afternoon, overcast though it was. I love live music, and am particularly endeared to untrained talent. There’s something so refreshing about musicians who are untainted by the critical sense of technique. These guys were clearly having a blast. The whole town seemed to have taken the speed of life and played it at half speed, people sat around chatting, and enjoying pastrys on the pier. Store keepers didn’t rush you through, but chatted casually and happily answered any and all questions. It was a reminder that one chooses the speed of one’s life.
The sweetest part of the weekend was watching Scotland and Pam’s interactions. Scotland was endlessly sweet with her, including her in everything and constantly asking her to play. She lovingly consented running the length of our basement over and over, sitting on his tiny chairs and having picnics with his puzzle pieces stacked to make sandwiches and watermelon. Tom said listening to his Mom read his son stories in her animated way, reminded him of his whole childhood and he felt loved.
Scotter is all about trying different seating arrangements: window seals, curbs, rocks, stumps, benches, and ship rope holders. (Sorry don’t know the technical name!)
Dancing to “Whale of a Tale!” Scotter couldn’t have been more thrilled to have TWO WHOLE days with his Dad- the feelings were reciprocal!
The major attraction of Whidby Island (And where we heard languages from across the globe) was at Deception pass and bridge. The views were spectacular.
The drop is so high from this bridge you feel a bit of vertigo when you look straight down.
Throwing in driftwood
We stopped at Deception State Park to enjoy the beach, and a small hike. Being Saturday the beaches were crowded with fishermen, but we carved out our own little spot and enjoyed stacking rocks, digging in the dirt, climbing over driftwood and skimming rocks.
There are a lot of amazing old-growth trees in the area.
We had hoped to do more hiking, but the weather turned out to be significantly cooler than predicted, and we were all a bit chilly (especially me, because I was donning shorts) and I had a bad bout of pregnancy cramps all day that severely diminished my enthusiasm. Oh well, next time. It was a lovely day. Sunday we enjoyed hanging out at home, playing games, eatting delicious food, and enjoying our time with Pam. Monday and her return flight came WAY to quickly. We’re going to miss her, February- come quickly!