A San Juan Island Sampler - April & May 2022 - Part Four

 

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Please click here for - Part Three

 

Critters

 

The ferry ride to Lopez Island was short and we were soon set up in our campsites on the shore at Odlin County Park.

 

 

 

 

Odlin is on small sheltered cove. The only waves come from passing ferries or other boats. The tide was out, leaving a large sand bar.

 

 

 

 

 

The weather remained foggy and drizzled rain. I walked out to the water's edge and noticed fresh critter tracks leading into the water.

 

 

 

 

 

That the tracks belonged to an otter was quickly confirmed.

 

 

 

 

 

The otter was the day's entertainment for us, making this a very fine day. After posing, the otter headed back out to fish.

 

 

 

 

 

A Mallard cruised by.

 

 

 

 

 

Ted loves fresh crab. I became convinced he was paying the gulls to fetch crab for him.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We watched the otter dive and come up with several fish, a very successful hunter. It then came onshore to dry off by rolling in the sand. I became convinced this critter delighted in being the center of attention.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then it was time for a snooze.

 

 

 

 

 

The county pier was on the north side of the cove. I found the  girls on the dock laughing at either me or the otter.

 

 

 

 

 

The sandy otter did not care who they were laughing at.

 

 

 

 

 

The vistas along the rocky shoreline were nice, indeed. Loons were here also.

 

 

 

 

 

The sunset was subdued Monday evening. The tide was back in.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Teds were again very kind to drive us all around the next day. Our first stop was Lopez Village. We waved to everyone we saw, a requirement that was included in the guidebook. Lopez is the friendly island and everyone waves. We learned more about "island time." Most shops were closed. But the thrift store was open! The Lady was ecstatic. It's a small shop. Masks are required. Only a small number are allowed in at one time. The volunteer at the door relished her job keeping the numbers in check. Apparently the thrift store had just opened that morning. Word got out and the locals were showing up. The line grew. I believe we met - or at least waved at - most everyone on the island. The Lady hit pay dirt, a pair of near new blue jeans for $4.00.

 

We had one more chore to do in town. The Lady and I were buying fresh halibut for dinner. Ted was doing the grilling. I was doing up a pan of my diced and fried taters with onions and peppers. The small grocery store filled our needs. Ted purchased some local beer.

 

The transport in the Tiger was like this. Ted and I were seat belted in the back. Mrs. Ted drove and the Lady sat up front and navigated. Julie earned four "Attagirls" for her efforts.

 

We visited Agate Beach on the south end of Lopez. Agate Beach is exposed to the weather. It was windy and cold.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The guidebook, in the section on Lopez Island, mentioned that Watmough Bay was the "de facto nude beach" on Lopez Island. We plotted our course and hoisted the sails. The map showed the bay was on the lee side of the island and possibly sheltered from the cold wind. Wow, if we could frolic in the bay the way Ma Nature intended, it would cap off our adventure in a fine fashion. As we got closer and closer the excitement grew. "Frolic, frolic, frolic!" was now the chant heard inside the Tiger. Unfortunately the road turned to dirt with mud and narrowed. There were unmarked intersections as the road continued to worsen. It was not wise to continue with the Tiger. Four adults rescued after getting a Tiger stuck, wedged tight between trees, while trying to find the nude beach would certainly be headline material for the Lopez Village weekly newspaper. There'd be a big photo on the front page. The folks from the thrift store would surely recognize and remember us. We turned around.

 

 

All was well back at Odlin upon our return. A Blue Heron flew overhead.

 

 

 

 

 

The gulls had left a tiny crab for Ted.

 

 

 

 

 

And the otter was out fishing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dinner was wonderful. The halibut and taters were great. And, the rain broke long enough that we could all sit and eat outside. It was a nice finish to our last night on the San Juan Islands.

 

It was raining in the morning as we lined up for the ferry to take us back over to Anacortes. Lopez is that last stop for the ferry before Anacortes and only a certain number of vehicle spaces are allocated for Lopez. It was a smaller, inter-island ferry. Only one other vehicle boarded behind us leaving others unable to board. We lucked out getting on this ferry.

 

The remainder of the day was driving. We had reservations at an RV park in Leavenworth. It had hot showers and laundry. It was an afternoon and evening of much needed chores and clean up. The place was quiet, 70°, warm and sunny. We celebrated with wearing short sleeved t-shirts.

 

We had a final prime destination for this trip, a visit to Fort Sagebrush in Haines, Oregon.

 

It was raining in the morning as we pulled out of the RV park. It rained most the day. Wind and rain, at times, lashed at us. The weather broke just as we pulled into the Fort.

 

 

 

 

 

Our hosts, Steve and Diana gave us all a warm welcome. Steve is known as Wandering Sagebrush. A couple of years ago they relocated to eastern Oregon from the Portland area and are, quite nicely, making themselves at home. Once at the Fort, there is no need to go anywhere. Out the windows are wonderful vistas. Mule deer and elk wander by. Bluebirds and quail put on a show. A fox family is raising kits.

 

We stayed two nights at the Fort. Julie and Diana discovered they both love Scrabble. Steve discovered he likes Pliney.Ted  brought along six bottles for this occasion. He carefully, lovingly, crafted a cozy out of reflexit for each bottle so they would arrive safely.

 

 

 

 

 

Steve and Diana's homemade chicken soup was devoured the first night. We all worked on the feast for the second night. I grilled a tri tip roast and Ted did a chicken. Ted also roasted vegetables and guarded his Pliney.

 

 

 

 

 

It was a fine evening, our last night at the Fort. Thank you, Steve and Diana for your generous hospitality.

 

The drive across Oregon the next day ended with thunderstorms, hard hail, and slashing wind. We were all quite tired when we pulled into the small Oregon State Park at Goose Lake on the California border. It was our last night with our friends, The Teds. Ted was determined to burn up all the firewood still onboard the Tiger.

 

 

 

 

 

It was either that or turn in what remained at the California agricultural inspection station just down the road. Ted gave it his best but gave up as the wind grew.

 

Morning surprised us with patches of blue sky above.

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, that's how busy the campground was on a Saturday night. We were pleased. We parted ways with our friends as we each headed to our homes. The break in the weather did not last. It snowed most the way.

 

A big thank you to The Teds for a great trip, great company, and never showing any signs of getting tired of us. An extra big thank you to Mrs. Ted for all her working making most of the reservations and route planning.

 

This was our trip to the San Juan Islands. Thanks for tagging along.

 The End