#159 Sep 2017 Back to the Ocean

In Canada, between Vancouver Island and the Mainland there are many small islands collectively called the Gulf Islands. Just to the south in Washington, similar islands are called the San Juan Islands. 

Same geography, different countries.

We have done very little exploring in Washington and arranged to meet Sue and Bob in Anacortes on Fidalgo Island.

They introduced us to historic downtown.

Anyone walking down the street in Anacortes is bound to be greeted by a figure or two – whether other people are around or not.

Anacortes artist Bill Mitchell has spent over three decades creating more than 150 murals placed throughout town.  They primarily feature local residents of varied backgrounds. 

Some stage and screen stars also adorn the walls.

Some of the "murals" are even more realistic.

Cap Sante provides a beautiful view overlooking the area.

 

Massive arbutus or madrona trees top the outcropping.

 

When the tree matures the orange-red bark naturally peels away in thin sheets.

In the fall the berries dry up and have hooked barbs that latch onto larger animals for migration.

Since the 1850s the lumber trade has been a major maritime industry in Anacortes.

Logging is still part of the local economy.

 

Refineries now cover much of the land previously logged.

The refined products are shipped by rail,

Or piped out to be loaded onto ocean going ships.

 

We stayed in the Swinomish Casino RV Park with an oceanside view of the sunrise.

A great blue heron and myself were the only ones outside watching a boat cruise past, backlit by Mt. Baker.

It was worth getting up at 6 AM to see more herons searching for the best spot to patiently wait for their next bite.

When I turned back to the RV I found an unexpected sunrise.

 

Each unit looked so different that I had to identify our RV by the map on the side.