Coupeville Festival and Car Show

Go to Heaven for the climate, Hell for the company.

Whidbey Island had two festivals going on over the weekend,  We made quick stops at both of them.  One was an arts and craft festival in Coupeville and the other was a car show in Oak Harbor.

We felt the only way to visit both festivals was to get there early before the humungous crowds arrived.  That’s what we did.  We headed towards Coupeville by 8:30.  We assumed that the Hyders were still sleeping since all the blinds were drawn. Joe had already taken off but we weren't sure where he had gone or if anyone had gone with him.   What we did know is that we wanted to arrive at the arts and craft festival early. 

We were lucky when we arrived at Coupeville.  Since we were early we found the perfect parking spot.  The vendors were open and very few people were around.  Within an hour we had seen it all and were on our way to the car show.  Again, we lucked out with a close parking spot.  Traffic was still light and the show wasn’t packed with lookers yet.  Again, within an hour we had seen it all and were out of there.  It was perfect planning.

We also made a return trip to the lavender farm.  I had hoped to find some dried lavender at the festival to put in the new little wall hanging vase I had bought but no luck.  Instead of buying the bunches they already had drying, I wanted to collect my own.  That’s what I did.  I was given a basket, clippers and sent out to the field to gather it.  Guess what?  There are a lot of bees that like lavender too.  Those pesky little bees made cutting some of the lavendar a little challenging.

After we returned from the lavender farm we made a stop off at the local dock again.  This time it was just to check out the ships on the bay firing at each other.  This was a performance for the Coupeville Festival.

The evening was supposed to be pizza and a movie.  We ended up without the movie and just the pizza which was fine with all of us. The next day was a travel day.  We were heading a little south.  

We'll be back someday.  We still want to cruise the San Juan Islands and watch the orcas play in the water.






-- August 13th

Deception Pass – La Conner

Thanks to the interstate highway system, it is now possible to travel from coast to coast without seeing anything.

Friday rolled around and it was another minus tide.  Minus tides bring unusual scenery and opportunity to the shoreline.  In addition to the many starfish in the previous blog, it's a time when clam diggers look forward to getting out their shovels and heading to the beach.  The downside is that the water can literally disappear where you might normally expect it to be.  Even this sailboat was left high and dry until the tide came back in.  Hopefully, the owners weren't planning on sailing away in it.

Not only was it a minus tide, it was very foggy over the water.  Well, actually, not just over the water but everywhere.  We took a little ride down to the local dock to check out the beach and this is what we saw.

 

We could see more starfish in the shallow water, mussels hanging onto the wharf plus we also got to see a little clam digging.  Now that’s the type of clam digging I used to do as kid.  You use a rake and just rake them in.  The easier it is, the better we like it. Not all clam digging is this easy but I think it's the best way to go. Other types of clams require a special clam gun ... that's not quite as easy a task.

There is a lavender farm on Whidbey Island.  We decided to check it out.  Advertisements were everywhere advertising the lavender farm so we figured we'd just make a quick stop.  The aroma was wonderful.  The fog hadn’t lifted yet but it was still a pretty sight.

In the afternoon  Joe wanted us to take a drive to La Conner.  La Conner is a little town on the mainland.  He had another favorite little restaurant he wanted to take us to.  Besides, Janice was looking for a package that had been sent to her at the Thousand Trails park there.  She was hoping to get that package before they sent it back.  Once there she discovered that the park had already returned it to UPS.  So, it was off to Burlington and the UPS Customer Service Department to save the box.  And, save it, she did.

On the way back to Whidbey island and Joe's place, we drove across Deception Pass.  It’s such a beautiful area.  This day the fog just wouldn’t go away and it certainly made for some very interesting pictures.  The boys drove across the two bridges while Janice and I walked them. 

We weren’t through with the day yet.  Late that afternoon Terry and I took a little trip to the beach area at Fort Casey about six miles away.  He had wanted to pick up a few little pieces of driftwood but we hadn’t had a chance to do so yet.  So, we walked the beach a little and picked up a few pieces.  The RV sites there were still packed and none of them were empty.  It’s a great place to stay but since this park always seems to  be full, it’s obvious others must feel it's a pretty nice place to stay too.

When we returned Spiker and the Hyders were already well into their own little happy hour.  That was it for us for the day as the next day was the festival at Coupeville and the car show.  We hoped to visit early and depart before the crowds showed up.






-- August 12th

Starfish Eating the Mussels

On a New York subway you get fined for spitting, but you can throw up for nothing.

The following morning after our arrival on Whidbey Island was the day that Joe decided to show us how HE caught crabs.  Now Joe’s a professional at this since he’s been doing it in the same place for years. 

It was a beautiful morning.  Just three of us wanted to go put the crab pots in the water.  However, the offer was made to everyone so no one was left out.  It was just neither Janice nor Terry really wanted to go out in the boat at that time.  The sun was shining, the water was like glass and the best part of all was that it was a minus tide.  We got to see starfish feasting on the mussels on the wharf.  The minus tide is what made it so phenomenal.  As the water had receded with the tide, lots of starfish remained on the ramp and on the wharf.  They were waiting for the tide to come back in.  In the meantime, with camera ready I really enjoyed snapping dozens of photos.  I had never seen anything like it before.

After the boat was launched, we circled to the main wharf to grab a bunch of mussels and take a look at the starfish that were busy sucking the bodies of the mussels out of their shell. 

The crab pots were dropped using chicken and mussels as bait. The plan was to leave them in the water to tempt the large male crabs.  Later a few of us would go back to collect the treasure.  That was the plan.

Next, we went back to Joe's Place to catch up with Janice and Terry.  Joe was itching to show us the little town of Coupeville.  On our way there we circled the bay where mussels are farmed.  I had eaten a lot of mussels but had never seen a mussel farm. It was interesting.

One of Joe’s favorite places to eat in the little town of Coupeville is Toby’s.  So, that’s where we went.  We had to agree with him that the food was excellent.  I had the halibut fish and chips along with a cup of fabulous clam chowder so I can vouch for those items.  Coupeville was a cute little town.  They had a festival planned for the weekend so there was lots of activity.  Two ships were tied at the end of the dock.  They were intended to battle each other during the festival on Saturday.  Jerry and Joe hung around the ships sizing them up for a while, Janice went shopping and we just wandered around a bit.  With five people, coordinating things can be a little difficult and awkward at times.  Eventually, we all finished with our scouting around and headed back .... well, kind of.

However, the day wasn’t over yet.  The crab pots needed to be fetched and the catch checked out.  Then, there was the Happy Hour down the street that Joe had been invited to.  Since he was instructed to bring all of us with him, we crashed their party until they kicked us out.  Well, they didn’t kick us out but you’ve got to remember we still had the crab to cook.  Then, of course, we had to eat it.

It was a long day but we did it all.  Joe’s a hard one to keep up with.  No one got a nap.  He kept us pretty busy but it was certainly an interesting day.  We learned a lot about a lot of things.

---------------

As a little treat for all of you trying to sell your home, I’m sending you this Saint Joseph. We saw it in a gag shop in Coupeville, thought it was cute and knew everyone would have to have it.  Now it wasn’t that I was too cheap to buy a dozen of these (but I was), I just knew it would be hard to forward it on.  So, here’s a virtual one.

Isn’t it worth trying everything!! 

-- August 11th

First Class on the Port Townsend – Coupeville Ferry

Living on Earth is expensive, but it does include a free trip around the sun every year.

The ferry the following morning didn’t quite work out as smooth as we hoped. We left early but the problem was we left too early. We discovered you don’t really want to arrive until the ferry before yours departs if it’s full.  We didn’t check to see if it was full but that’s what we were told.  We just thought we’d park in the line and wait until the one we had a reservation on showed up.  It doesn’t work that way. 

We had to make a u-turn through the ferry payment booths and find another lot to wait in.  Whee! That wasn’t fun. However, it did mean that we were absolutely first in line for the next ferry. It was like being upgraded to first class.  Being first in line also meant that we had a front row seat as the ferry traveled across the water to the Coupeville Terminal on Whidbey Island.  What a gorgeous view that was.

Our original plan was to spend a few nights on the waterfront at Fort Casey before heading to Spiker’s RV Resort.  However, we all know plans are made just so we have something to break … and, that’s what we did.  Actually, it wasn’t really our fault.  The RVs were packed into the sites at Fort Casey.  Two spaces were not to be found. So, up the road to Oak Harbor we went.

Mr. Spiker himself had told us he wouldn’t be back until the next day.  That’s what he told us but that’s not what happened.  Just about the time we pulled in and got set up, he came hauling around the corner. We had no time to raid his place before he arrived.  I think he did that on purpose.

Then, it was catch-up time …………… and, that’s what we did.

Catch-up time

-- August 10th

Port Townsend Arrival

Do not insult the mother alligator until after you have crossed the river.

Instead of it being a Monday like we had originally planned, we pulled out of the Kelso Elks park to head north to Whidbey Island on Tuesday.  Actually, it was a beautiful day and very little traffic was on the road.  The route traveling north on Hwy 101 around the Hood Canal can be pretty slow over the weekends with all the traffic.  Traffic or no traffic it’s still a beautiful drive as the highway hugs the water’s edge for a good portion of 45 miles.

Our plans had been to spend a couple nights at the Elks RV park in Port Townsend but with the delayed departure we were only going to be in town for the one night.  Of course, that doesn’t mean that we pulled in, set up and rested.  You could have bet that wasn’t going to happen.  It didn’t.

The Hyders were there to greet us and since it was just about lunch time we headed out for a drive through town and to find a place for lunch.

 

Port Townsend is in a fabulous location.  It sits on the edge of the Strait of Juan de Fuca where it turns south into the Puget Sound.  The town is a haven for antique seekers.  Many of the buildings are Victorian in style and the streets are usually flooded with tourists especially on the weekend.  It was busy enough and it wasn’t a weekend.

We actually didn’t do a lot around town this time.  We just walked up and down a couple streets, looked around in a few shops, ate lunch and made a quick stop at Fort Warden.  We didn’t have a lot of time left in the day.  This time this trip wasn’t about spending time in Port Townsend.  We had reservations on the ferry to Whidbey Island the next day.  That’s where we were heading.

You might have guessed that we did eat lunch and then we ate again at the Elks lodge in the evening.  That’s right.  We certainly couldn’t pass up meal times.  At the Lighthouse Café  we had a great meal but we’ve had so many meals out recently I can’t even remember what we had.  Was it fish and chips?  The only thing I do remember is that I thought it was great.  I also thought the clam chowder served there was pretty delicious too.   At the lodge that evening  they were having taco night.  We were pretty happy with our taco salads too.

It sure works out great when we can order something and then find out we really like what we ordered.  If we graded this day on the food we were served and ate, it would definitely get a good grade.

Then, it was off to bed because the next day we needed to get in line for the ferry.  It was going to be a gorgeous day also.  At least that's what the weatherman said and you know they are always right!

-- August 9th

Whidbey Island Ferry – Fort Casey, Washington

I’ve learned that it’s those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.  So start enjoying those little things in life – it does make a difference.

Another busy day was on the schedule.  We had reservations on the 9:30 ferry from Port Townsend to Whidbey Island.  It was only about a 40 minute drive to the ferry dock but then, we were also supposed to be there early to get in line so we were up and on our way earlier than usual.  We love the ferries.  It was a gorgeous day and we were looking forward to it.

We first discovered Fort Casey State Park and it’s RV parking area a couple years ago.  Notice in the picture where these RV’s get to park.  They are right at the edge of the water by the ferry dock.  There’s  beach to walk on, driftwood to sort and a terrific view.  The only downside is that there are no hookups.  There’s also an upside.  There are restrooms and a shower which certainly helps with that gray water tank. 

During World War II bunkers were built and a cannon in place.  Anyone having duty had a broad view.  We also enjoyed the broad view of the water, Port Townsend and marine traffic.  To top it off, the lighthouse that was being repaired when we were here before was in tiptop shape.




 

Next, we were off to Staysail RV Park at the Oak Harbor City Beach.  The park was almost full with RVs.  The tide was out and a few people were enjoying the beach.  How could they not enjoy something this fantastic? 

The main reason we made the trip to Whidbey Island though was to visit Joe.  We’ve known Joe for a couple years or is it more? He has a fantastic home-base with a water view.  We absolutely loved his place. 

We sat on his deck, soaked up the sun, chatted for hours and checked out his wine making hobby. 

To top it off, his smoker was even filled with salmon. 

He definitely has quite supply of wine in different stages of the process from small bottles to huge jugs.

The ferry back to Port Townsend was packed. It was a Sunday and all the weekenders were heading home.  So were we.  Another day and again, we were zonked.  We did swing by Fort Flagler State Park but even though it had full hookups, it certainly didn’t compare to Fort Casey.  So, here’s a question for you.  Why are state parks so expensive?  Full hookup “premium” sites cost $36 a night.  The boondocking site at Fort Casey is $22. We just thought that was a little spendy for a state park but then, again, the view from these two parks were definitely premium.

Monday morning was another thing.  We had only paid for three nights so we had a decision to make.  Should we go ahead and stay at the Elks one more day or should we head to Seaside where we had reservations over the 4th of July holiday?  If we were going to go, we needed to get moving.  We ended up  driving the 209 miles to Seaside.  It was a long 209 miles since the roads were wet, windy and traffic slow.  However, we traded one beachie area for another and now we’re in place for another couple weeks.  It was a good decision.