granddaughter coraline

granddaughter coraline

grandson mason

grandson mason

grandson jaxson

grandson jaxson

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

19-22AUG09 - Birch Bay, WA

Wednesday, 19AUG, we headed to Birch Bay State Park, just south of the Canadian border, to meet up with Dan’s cousin Jennifer & husband, Mike, and hopefully catch our limit of Dungeness crabs. For more on the state park, crabbing, and Mike & Jennifer, check out our BLOG from last year:

http://theryanrvexpress.blogspot.com/2008/09/27-30aug08-birch-bay-wa.html

Unfortunately we couldn’t get into the state park and had to settle for a commercial park two miles down the road. Once we had set up camp, we headed to the park to meet up with Mike & Jennifer, and cousin Paul & wife, Shannon; along with a few other relatives, and friends of Mike.

The next morning we met at the beach to decide on the days activities. Due to logistical problems Mike was not able to get his boat to Birch Bay. That meant we could not set crab traps to catch our crab (by far the easiest way to catch them) like we did last year. This meant wading in chest deep water and trying to scoop them up as the crabs ran for their lives. Dan has never had any luck at this, so he opted for clamming and oystering. Corrie opted for wading. Needless to saying the clams and oysters harvested far out numbered crabs caught (4 total)! Anyway we had enough crab for an appetizer, and Corrie got her steamed clam fix.

Friday most of us skipped the beach while Dan BBQ’d a pork shoulder for pulled pork sandwiches. Saturday Mike got access to small boat and was able to set four crab traps. Using this boat we were able to provide enough crab for a “crab feed” Saturday evening. Mike did his usual outstanding job at boiling the crabs with Cajun spices, along with potatoes, corn, mushrooms & garlic. And many side dishes provided by more relatives and friends who just happened to show-up in time for the crab feed.





After the great crab feed it was decided to play Texas Hold’em Poker. Even though Corrie has never played poker she joined in, leading to the inevitable question – what’s it mean when there all the same suit? Or – what does three of kind beat? Although beginner’s luck helped her many times, she finished out of the money. Dan came in second and broke even. Some of the diehards started another game of Hold’em, but we headed back to our bed to be well rested for the drive back on Sunday morning.







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