A Day of Island Life...Ok 100 days so far......

October 30, 2017

My roots are starting to take hold here on the island, the summer gig @ Buck Bay Shellfish Farm has come to an end and I've replaced that vocation for a vintage skill-set in the construction trades. Before I started the new job, i was able steal away some more travel and adventure...

Barn Owl feathers are significant in some cultures.... or is it just a kismet, NorCal connectivity conduit to others for some? The passing of a third party friend has left more than a few people pleasantly holding on to inanimate objects as a reminder of those who passed. I think we all do this to some certain extent, an article of clothing? A vehicle left behind? even a recipe of that persons bestest cinnamon rolls recipe.... Thanks Mom.

As fate would have it, perhaps serendipitous planning.... I'm driving through Moran State park everyday now going to the job-site across the island. The significance of this stems from driving past the lake bridge that separates the larger part of the lake from the tucked away lagoon. On any given summer's afternoon, you'll see fishing lines dangling, swimmers porpoising underneath and yes, the adventurous types that will jump off this bridge. I'd be lying if I said I didn't jump off this bridge in question more than a couple of times these past few months with some great people / friends that have welcomed me back. But I digress...... ok maybe not a digression, just an ADHD kinda moment......... the reason I bring up the bridge and the daily drive by is I get to give an acknowledging head nod, tap on my window and theoretical brotherly hug to my brother Doug. Some 16 years ago a few of his kids and my sisters & I put his ashes in the lake off that bridge, so my daily connection, via an inanimate object, to my brother, is similar to the Barn Owl feather and its importance to more than a few people for their lost friend. (You’re missed Roberta)

People! Have I mentioned yet the amazing people I've met this summer and the connections made. The blessings of these introductions are inventoried daily. Case in point... the amazing couple of Julia & Lyndsay... after the painstaking planning, prepping and opening of NOT one but TWO businesses simultaneously, they needed a break from their Bay City Michigan empire and came west for a respite. Temporarily leaving behind www.harlessandhugh.com & the coffee shop, they found themselves, bicycling no less around the island and rode up the drive into Buck Bay Shellfish farm and my table. The smiles shared and the friendship created with these two powerhouse ladies of business was instant. I couldn't stand the thought of this duo missing out on Mt. Constituion's view, so we headed up top of the world as it is and posed for one of those touristy typ photos. At the risk of sounding redundant, the blessings of people throughout these past 5 months have been and continue to be amazing.

OOOOOhhhhhhhhh Port Townsend.... being the water kinda guy that I've become these past 30 years, I do catch myself posing in front of various water respites along the way. Port Townsend is touristy....certainly. However over the years it has been a boomerang magnet drawing me back for various reason aboard various vessels. So most recently, I took off from the island over the Sept. 9-11 weekend for the nationally recognized Rod Run to the End of The World along the Long Beach peninsula. I've been honored to be a lead photographer, a judge and trophy coordinator for three years now. To say it's a a GREAT guy's paradise / car guy dream-scape, would be an understatement. Let's just do the inventory.... 850+ high-end Hot Rods, A cruise along main street waving at thousands of on-looker while driving a 1951 Pontiac Chieftain, judging and selecting trophy winners, photographing these chariots and then being instrumental in handing out over 200 trophies..... YEAH!!! A 20 hour round trip / 4 ferry rides kinda commute from my island to the Beach Baron's field in Ocean Park Washington.... well worth it. See ALL the cars through my camera’s eye / enjoy the weekend Rod Run To The End Of The World 2017

Of course, no trip to Long Beach isn't complete without a stop off @ Cottage Bakery, Amazing treats and there’s no judgment when a solo guy walks out with the amount of goodness I left with....

Much to my Mothers' chagrin, I picked up a hitchhiker who was one of the most mysteriously interesting and adventurous types I've met along the recent path. This guy, just finished high school early, on his second, no inhibitions, taking on the world via thumb and nap-sack on his shoulder. His first was when he was 15 yrs old. He was straight out of so many Jack Kerouac type stories and 60' - 70's freedom seeking universe searching hikers... as well as the 'Holes' prison camp for kids, only worse kind of upbringing...... I truly mean it, this young man has a movie script, gripping tale that I'd go see. We only rode for two, maybe three hour but it was some amazing stories that ended with a cold beer and burger. I forgot to mention, he was only seventeen, had 4 different states fake ID's and was more comfortable in presenting that ID than all 21 year olds... Very much like the enigma he was...... I've since forgotten his name... Carry On Fellow Nomad!!

The artsy floor mural you see was something that I'd painted, in a rental house, here on Orcas back in 93'. I was granted access here recently by the homeowner who has enjoyed the mural for 15 years. It's interesting the slow, boredom solitude on the island come winter. I wonder what will be the project this winter. Stay Tuned...

Farm life is great, just tonight we had NY Steak and from the shellfish  farm Alaskan King Crab for dinner, tomorrow I'll have a couple of farm fresh eggs for breakfast, tomorrow night i'll have some stored away fresh blackberries with my homemade vanilla ice cream, doused with Orange & Mango juice.... {look-out Orange Julius}........... and then there's the NOT SO MUCH wonderful things about farm life.... Domino has found an affinity for rolling in Goose poop.... The smell is horrendous and the lingering affect is just this side of skunk.... SO needless to say, he's had two baths in the two weeks he's been here. That's a small price to have him back after being apart for 5 months while I traveled. We've been together for 11 years and the adventures, travels, 6 states, 10 homes..... we're the only consistent thing the other has in our world... He's hella-cool, if you haven't got the chance to meet him yet, you should really try to one day.... I'm not that bad of an introduction either. ;-)

Sailing with two of the nicest people ever Kirsten & Lance made for a wonderful day on the water, great conversation, spectacular foods and smiles that will warm us all until we can release the bowlines one more time...

Island Life is truly a beautiful space...... Friends, smiles, authenticity beyond it's populous numbers.... I am blessed....

PLEASE SIGN THE GUEST BOOK.... IT WOULD BE NICE TO HEAR FROM YOU...