This seems to be the summer of islands.
We had a nice two-day adventure to Whidbey Island. I think someone told me that Whidbey is larger than Manhattan. I just can’t imagine all those tall buildings and thousands of people crammed into the space of Whidbey. I rather like the wide open spaces and 196 miles of shoreline.
We had a beautiful drive over the Narrows Bridge, past Bremerton, Silverdale, Poulsbo, over the Hoods Canal Bridge and up State Route 101 to Port Townsend. A nice lunch at the Bayview let us watch the ferries come and go and then we were the ones in the line. I am always amazed at how they can pack so many cars, truck and trailers onto one of those and send it out across the waters. It was only a 40-minute trip and then we were on the island.
We headed out to the Inn at Fort Casey, which is now owned by Seattle Pacific University. This area was first established in 1897 as part of the “Triangle of Death” along with Fort Warden and Fort Flagler. These three were built to protect the entrance to Puget Sound. It was said that if the lights were shone from Fort Casey, they could make the town of Port Townsend think it was the middle of the afternoon when it was really the middle of the night. The Admiralty Head Lighthouse was originally built in 1861 and then rebuilt in 1903. Tours are given for those who want to climb the stairs.
Coupeville is the first town settled on the island and the second-oldest town in the state. We visited the Compass Rose bed and breakfast, built in 1890 and now the home of Jan and Marshall Bronson. They gave us a wonderful treat of champagne and truffles at the end of our busy day of touring and invited us to view all the antiques and interesting things they picked up during their 30-plus years in the foreign service and military.
Langley offers galleries showcasing local artists, a marina, areas for watching the gray whales that pass by in March and April, and marvelous restaurants. Our lunch at the Langley Cafe included fresh mussels from Penn Cove just around the corner. You can’t get any fresher than that. We took time to wander the streets and poke about in the shops.
The weather was perfect, the group congenial, and a fun time was had by all. I wonder what island we can explore next. Well, there is always the trip to Costa Rica in February. Now that is an interesting island. Come along and see what it is like.
If you don’t want an island, go for a canal. Join us in April 2015 as we transit the Panama Canal from Tampa to Vancouver. Rates are still great for this 19-day trip. Need a roommate? We will try to match you up so that you don’t have to pay a single supplement.
For reservations and further information, call me at 253-927-8207 or ask to be put on the email list at linda.finch@gmail.com.