Wednesday, April 1, 2009

I found my next hometown

Yesterday morning, I was up bright and early to get ready for my day in the San Juan Islands. Unfortunately, my husband was ill and whiny. As I got up to make coffee, he pulled me back to bed and whispered so sweetly, "Don't go. Stay home with me." and I quickly replied, just as sweetly, "Fuck off, I'm outta here!" and took off for the kitchen, where I downed a cup of coffee and ate some toast before taking 2 222's to get rid of the sinus headache from hell that just won't go away. I also made toast for Jay, poured him a glass of water and got him a vicodin. And because I am truly an awesome wife, I put it on a napkin and brought it to him in bed. I made sure he ate all the toast, handed over the pill and water, kissed his forehead, and went to take a shower.

We were out the door at 7:50, with a canvas bag full of snacks, picnic lunch items, apple juice, water, and napkins. We also had hats, gloves, and winter coats, along with sweatshirts. We were ready for whatever weather the islands threw at us.

The children not only ate breakfast, but ate 2 snacks in the 1 1/2 hour car ride to the ferry in Anacortes. We got there right on time, and promptly went to the front decks to watch the take-off. We were out 5 minutes before the wind almost took my 5 year old 62 pound daughter off the deck. They closed the front decks around that time, so we went in to eat yet another snack. Then we went out the back decks to try and spot some whales. The scenery was gorgeous, and I fell in love with the islands. The kids were amazed with the view as well. Kenzie said Micah is the luckiest person because he lives in a magical place. Too cute.

Anyway we arrived on time, and when we pulled off the ferry, Micah was waiting. He hopped in the car, and we left town to go view some beaches. He took us to a bunch, and although the weather went from sunny to windy, from windy to warm, we had an amazing time everywhere we went. The views were simply beautiful. The whole island is maybe 14 miles long and 7 miles wide, with 5,000 year long residents, and that doubles in the summer.

We did not see any whales, he said that the 3 pods that are there are "residents" of the islands, so they aren't just passing through the Strait of Juan de Fuca, they actually go all around the islands, and you may not seen them for days at a time. We did see a seal playing in the water.

I thought the kids would be very upset by this, but really, they were having such a good time just looking for them, along with finding beautiful rocks and shells, checking out the sand crabs under rocks, and the sea life in the tide pools, and of course, drift wood baseball, they never complained about not seeing the whales.

When we got home, we told Jay all about it and showed him the 122 pictures and 4 movies we took. I think he fell in love just from that. He has always said he wanted to live in a house that is remote with a forest or huge prairie around it. I have always wanted to live near the sea because I am the most relaxed when I am surrounded by the ocean. The islands would be perfect. It is small enough that you would know people, Jay could have the remote home surrounded by forest trails and wide open fields, and I could have the ocean views. I told Jay I would be so skinny if we lived there because I would love walking around the islands all the time. I would probably also relax a lot more because being near the ocean does that to me, plus island life is a much slower pace.

There is also a need for a bakery on the islands, and those that know me, know that is what I would love to do. We stopped at 2 bakeries, and one had nothing in their cases at 2 in the afternoon, and the other was in such a small place, and had such a small selection. It was a cute place, don't get me wrong, but it was just so small. I'm pretty sure a place with a bigger selection and a place to actually sit and eat would thrive there. Especially in the summer months when the islands are full of summer residents and tourists. I could also work earlier shifts so I could still be an active participant in the kids classrooms, PTA, and soccer boards.

Jay said that if becomes a famous writer, or gets a job that he can work strictly from home, he would move there. We would have to figure out something with Mason, but I think he just might love it there, too.

Anyway, I got off track. We had a wonderful time, and I am so thankful to my cousin for spending his day showing us around. He told the kids about the history of the islands, and talked about what it was like growing up there. His mom and step-dad were the caretakers for San Juan Park, so he lived in the park. His front yard was the ocean, and he spent his days playing in the forest and looking for sea life in the tide pools. I am so jealous. I grew up the town full of dairy farms and rednecks. There is nothing exciting about that. at. all. The kids loved hearing about the Pig War (the only casualty was the death of the pig) between the British and the Americans back when the islands were owned by both countries, and Dead Man's Cove, which is where a ship full of Japanese sunk trying to sneak into America.

I will post pictures later today or tomorrow. I just found out it's snowing, and I have to pick up dry cleaning, drop off library books, and get deodorant and shaving cream for Jay at the store.

Then I'm coming home and throwing my car keys away. Between the 6 hours of driving to Portland and back this weekend, and the 3 hours of freeway driving to and from the islands, plus the time spent driving to destinations around the island, and the 2 1/2 ferry rides, I am sick to damn death of my car. Leather seats and butt warmers be damned at this point.

6 comments:

kristi said...

Wow...but where are the pictures?

Kelly said...

Sounds gorgeous!!! Maybe a dumb question, but do they have winter there?

Toryssa said...

You make ME want to move there and I've never even been. Island life is lovely though, whether it be in the Straight of Jaun de Fuca or the English Channel. Can't wait to see pics!

Anonymous said...

ooo that sounds like a wonderful place to live!

Jay Ferris said...

Talk about pressure.

Brooklyn said...

Can I come work in your bakery? You might have a hard time stopping me from eating all the eclairs, though. I would love to live on an island.