The Way to Whidbey Island

Discovered an obituary in the Sunday Spokane Spokesman-Review:

Kirk, Lois Sheeley

Date of Birth 4-11-1953

Date of Death Still open, but between today and two months.

(next to her picture) BLOOM WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED

I was surprised by the announcement, thinking those close to her would know her fate, if she is terminally ill, or maybe no one knew and this is her way of getting the word out to as many people as possible in the community. Perhaps, she wanted to share her philosophy in a very real way to make readers think about their own mortality. For whatever reason, I got her message, loud and clear.

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Bob figured out how to turn off the bright overhead light in our roomette compartment, (there is a switch,). Besides finding the dark, the train from Whitefish to Everett rolled along on smooth tracks so sleeping should have been easier. But because of extenuating circumstances like our compartment door off its tracks - almost sent us off our track when we couldn't open it in the middle of the night to go pee! And, the squeakiest brakes on the Amtrak, like fingernails clawing a chalkboard, sounding off around every corner - remember we were going downhill through the mountains, lots of corners. Our steward was a substitute borrowed from the commuter line and he wasn't into the customer service that we had become accustomed to, nor did he get a tip. He wasn't concerned at all about the door's lack of cooperation. We aren't giving up - we will be back at the station on Wednesday.

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Anyway, arrived in Everett in the rain, and the coolest weather since we left Afton. Paid our $25.00 to the taxi driver for a ride to Budget car rental and found our way to Whidbey via the Deception Pass Bridge - too beautiful for words or pictures. All of you must come here to see for yourselves.

Twenty-five years ago, on our way home from Alaska and getting married, we spent four days on the island. Yesterday we drove out to Captain Whidbey Inn where we spent those days. Long ago, our first night there and after a long flight, Bob ordered a martini as big as a basketball - the chef brought out the biggest snifter glass Bob had ever seen and drank every last drop!

The island is as rural and picturesque as we remember it when we looked for property back in the early 90's, before Afton. There are a few more housing developments, but none take out the views, woods, or hay fields.

Bob and I drove all over the island and found Coupeville and Langley, two seaside villages worth a few hours to walk the main streets of ice cream shops, YARN shops, and eateries.

We are staying at the naval base. Last time we were in the Admiral's quarters, and this time we must have kicked out a Rear Admiral - three rooms, 2 tvs, frig/mircrowave, panoramic views of the bay - like Bob says, 'the Navy knows how to take care of their troops.'

Our plan is to take the ferry from Keystone to Port Townsend, a place we have only driven through on past trips, and explore the town and get into Olympic National Park, as much as time allows. The ferry was booked today so tomorrow we have made reservations for 7:15 am - we will see.

We drove out to Keystone terminal to buy our tickets and get the low down on loading for the 30 minutes ride across the inlet. Plan A: visit 3 national parks tomorrow! Olymic, Rainier, and Cascade - we plan on seeing the sign and buy some postcards, and say we've been there.

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BOB LOVES GREEK SALAD! and he loves that blue shirt!