POST 1206; JANUARY 08, 2014; COUPEVILLE, WASHINGTON

Whew...it has warmed up a bit...but still raining with a thick cloud cover overhead.  The sound of thunderous jet engines roar throughout the day and into the night...U.S. Navy A-6 Aircraft Carrier training base from the local Whidbey Island Naval Air Station.

The distant hills are the Chuckanut mountains, which we walked three days ago...and where I fell onto the ice covered bridge.  I was injured more seriously than at first thought.  Also scrapped a rib under my right breast.  Today, Wednesday, four days after falling, it is excrutiating painful.  For that reason, I have checked myself into the Coupeville Whidbey Island Hospital Emergency Room.  Dr. Plastino, MD examined me, took an X-Ray, and gave the good news that nothing is broken; however, a large bruise is showing, proof that I did a good job.  Dr. Plastino advises that this type of injury does not "hurt" until 4 or 5 days after the injury...then hurts like HE double toothpicks for a week or so.

So, I continue walking...

Highway 20 bridge over the man-dug canal leading to LaConner - where local boaters often travel for a weekend cruise (I have done so for the past 25 years or so).  The building adjacent is the local Indian Tribe Casino, where I stopped in to warm up while walking a couple days ago.

Before sunrise a couple days ago, walking US 20 toward Whidbey Island.

Deception Pass Bridge.  Whidbey, the second largest island in the continental United States, some 50 miles from end to end, located some 40 miles north of Seattle, Washington, is second in size only to Long Island near New York City (another island I have had the pleasure to visit many times...in fact, the island where I first taught myself to sail...so many eons ago ).

Crossing the Deception Pass Bridge, I met these workmen replacing a steel barrier which was taken out by a careless vehicle driver.  

Deception Pass as seen from the bridge.  This pass was first discovered in 1795 by the English Explorer, Captain Vancouver.

Adjacent to US 20 as it approaches the Deception Pass Bridge is this pristine Trout Fishing lake, Pass Lake.  In the summer time, Pass Lake is a favorite for fishermen and boaters.

7 miles south of Deception Pass lies the small city of Oak Harbor, which is home to the U.S. Navy A-6 Fighter Bomber training base.  Two days ago, I enjoyed one of the finest Chinese Buffet in all of the USA.

As I type this, two A-6 aircraft screamed low over the hospital - some 15 miles from the base.

Little used today, Penn Cove (a rather large salt water bay some 5 miles south of Anacortes, is home to many suburban living communities.  150 years ago, Penn Cove was a thriving deep water sea port.

A residential home overlooking Penn Cove.

Highway 20 as it makes it's way around the end of Penn Cove.  

Gentleman farmer lives here.  I have driven past this beautiful home since 1953, when my parents first moved to Whidey Island...and yesterday, I, for the second time (once 2.5 years ago also), have walked past.

This fence is interesting...it is constructed of  two opposing screens of "chicken wire", filled with the sea grasses lining the beaches of Penn Cove, only one block away.  Makes an effective nice looking fence.

An historic brick building from the turn of the 20th century (1900), which has been well maintained and recently remodeled into a retail / museum outlet for local artworks of clay and stone.  In the parking area is our MPV, parked where we were allow to spend the night.

* * * * * * * * * *

Today, we have reservations on the Washington State Ferry from Fort Casey (Coupeville) across the Puget Sound (the indian natives call these waters:  SALISH  Sound), leaving at 1:15 (noon) headed for Port Townsend near the Olympic Mountains...our local Pacific Ocean Side range - purported to be the youngest mountains in the world - complete with 10 active glaciers...plainly and clearly seen from downtown Seattle as well as all the way into Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, some 100 miles north of Coupeville, where I sit toasty warm inside the hospital.

It is now 11:00 am.  I have a few miles to walk this morning to reach the ferry landing.  Best be on my way...boo boo's and all.

Thank you again to the fine folks at this hospital...breakfast was quite nice, thank you very much !