Monday, 14MAR, after battling heavy rain, we finally made it
back to our place outside Sultan, WA. Tuesday
thru Thursday were spent re-opening house, emptying RV, cleaning up more downed
trees & limbs from latest wind storm that hit Seattle area Sunday. Along w/the first of many routine
medical/dental appointments, washing RV & Toad, mowing, etc.
Friday morning we re-secured the house & drove the RV to Oak
Harbor, WA, & the city RV park at Oak Harbor City Beach, where we stayed
back in 2010. Then it was off to
Coupeville, WA, for a walkabout (we last visited this picturesque town in June
2014 w/kids & grandkids). While
there we discovered it was free admission at the Island County Museum, so we
took advantage of that.
Back in Oak Harbor we had dinner at Seabolts Smokehouse where we
ate back in 2010 – this is a small, family run restaurant specializing in fried
fish/clams/oysters/etc & chips. We
went with steamed clams & mussels, crab cake, chowder, lemon cake – all
excellent!
Saturday morning we went into the old town section of Oak
Harbor, WA, for a walkabout. While
walking along the beach front of the city park we are camped at, we how
destructive last Sunday’s high winds were that hit the Seattle area! The entire beach was covered in a sea of
drift wood & downed trees; sections of the asphalt walking path were washed
away; & all the picnic shelters were damaged beyond repair! Made us realize how lucky we were deciding to
stop short of Seattle & not stay on the road.
After lunch it was off in the Toad to an Irish Wake for our
friend Karen Bishop (wife of our old boss & friend Ken Bishop), at their former
house (now owned by their daughter Kelli & husband Bob Post) in Greenbank,
WA. As we mentioned in our 14 November
2015 BLOG Karen passed away on November Second.
Although the passing of a long time & good friend is sad, we were
thankful that a remembrance for her & her life occurred at a time we would
be back in Washington & could attend.
(See below BLOG link for our last visit with her & husband Ken.)
It was sad, but life affirming gathering, that we were very glad
we made the effort to be a part of! It
was attended by many family members from across the USA, old shipmates (like
us), old friends, & current neighbors & friends. Displayed throughout the house were many
mementos & awards from her life as a world traveler, supporter of Coast
Guard families wherever Ken & she were stationed, & most significantly
as a major & longtime volunteer for the Red Cross. As we learned while visiting Karen & Ken,
Ken joined a local “sea shanty” group on Whidbey Island called the Shifty
Sailors. The Sailors are very good &
have even toured the Poland & the Baltic countries. Naturally they performed for the wake. The wake was a fitting tribute to a very
special person.
Sunday, 20MAR, it was on the road back to our place in Sultan,
WA. First a stop to see Ken Bishop away
from the crowd of yesterday’s wake.
While visiting some of the Harrington’s (Karen’s side of the family)
also stopped by; along with Ken’s daughter Kelli & husband Bob Post.
Continuing our drive back to Sultan, we then stopped to see
cousin Bob & wife Patti Harris for a short visit. Not much done but chores Monday thru Saturday. Sunday, 27MAR (easter), Dan’s brother Shawn
& wife Cindie come over for a visit & easter dinner. As always with their visits, a good time.
Not much done the rest of the month. Tuesday, 29MAR, we took the RV into Valley
Freightliner in Mt Vernon, WA, for some minor repairs & maintenance – hope
they do a better job than in AUG 2009.
March finished w/some beautiful weather. So on Thursday, 31MAR,
Dan headed to Stevens Pass Ski Area.
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