Monday, January 17, 2011

DAY 4 - SKAGIT VALLEY DELTA

SAN JUAN ISLANDS...FROM CHUCKANUT DRIVE
OYSTER SHELLS LINING ROAD DOWN TO THE OYSTER FARM...When I was a kid (back in 1930's & 1940's), pile after pile of Oyster Shells - some over 50 feet high - line the roads along Hood Canal. Joanie, my first wife now deceased, loved to walk Hood Canal beaches, carrying a oyster knife...she would pluck up an oyster...some nearly a foot in diameter, shuck it open and swallow the critter whole...still alive...ate my first COOKED oyster only four years ago...thanks Tom.

TERRY OF TAYLOR'S SHELLFISH FARM


FALLEN ROCKS ON CHUCKANUT DRIVE



CHUCKANUT DRIVE EXITING INTO SKAGIT VALLEY




CHUCKANUT MANOR INN & B&B


CHUCKANUT DRIVE WATERFALL - MANY SUCH FALLING OFF THE MOUNTAIN



FLYING TRUMPETER SWANS



BALD EAGLE - SAW MANY TODAY



TRUMPETER SWANS IN SKAGIT VALLEY (For you, Les & Lynn)



MT. CHUCKANUT...C'NUT DRIVE GOES ALONG THOSE HILLS


THE RIVER...PARKE HERE FOR THE NIGHT...NICE


Will say this only once...

I DO NOT WANT TO BE OUT HERE WALKING ACROSS AMERICA.

I never have wanted to do this. Rejection is a strong and cruel thing. For ten years that has been with me. A few kind words...talk openly and with compassion...and a hug now and then...I would never leave again.

I love you "E"...I just wish I knew why you hate me so much.

There...you will not hear any of this from me again.

* * * * * * *

Up at 5:30 am in SPIA in Larrabee State Park...Raining Cats and Dogs and still blowing.

Whipped up some hot cereal eased down with hot tea and drove out of the Park ...still dark outside.

Stopped 4 miles South on Chuckanut Drive, parked, and walked back to Larrabee State Park - without SAM. There is no room for SAM on Chuckanut Drive...hardly room for a walker at all.

Lots of big and small rock were tumbling down off the cliffs onto the roadway. Walking back to the Park, removed a few rocks from the macadam. On the way back - not 45 minutes later, more rocks - some quite large - had fallen onto the roadway...removed them too.

Arriving back at SPIA, was not hungry, so walked on a mile or so to Taylor's Shellfish Farm at Oyster Inn. Walked half way down the mountain to the Farm, when I realized I had no $$, so turned around and walked back to SPIA.

Drove SPIA to the Oyster Inn. Parked and walked (with $$ this time) to Taylor's Farm. Met Tracy, from whom I bought a dozen small oysters - with preparation instructions - and a whole Dungeness Crab - already cooked...total + $11.00. Took them back & put them in SPIA's refrigerator. Tracy says they are good for 5 days if covered with a wet cloth in the fridge...oysters are still alive.

First sunny day, out comes the BBQ & we'll have a treat...failing Sun, will do them in SPIA's ample Propane oven...oysters must be "belly" side down...otherwise the juice all drains out, leaving them dry and chewy. OK.

Walked from Oyster Inn to the Lobster Bar...then back to SPIA. Drove SPIA out of the Mountain onto Skagit Valley Flatlands and parked at Chuckanut Manor IN...an upscale Restaurant and B & B...right on the Salish Sound.

Walked back to the Lobster Bar (still in the hills of Chuckanut Drive) and back to SPIA...continuing on another 3 miles to BOW, WASHINGTON...three stores and a crossroads...then back to SPIA. Drove SPIA thru Bow, took a right turn onto (cannot remember the name) ...NEXT DAY: "EDISON"...That is the name of the Road and the Town...road and into the tiny town (EDISON) which has the heavenly bread. Parked. Bought a loaf of bread. Then walked back to Bow and return.

Was getting on in the afternoon by this time, so decided to use the remaining hour or so of daylight by walking West...after a mile or two, came upon a small river and a good spot for parking overnight.

Walked back to SPIA; drove to the newly-found parking spot, and got settled just at dark. Three Hen Pheasants moved slowly off the parking spot as We drove up.

PROGRESS REPORT: Walked 22 miles; counting only 11 miles.

SEE YOUR IMPACT: Walked 11 miles @ $0.02 / mile = $0.22 for the day.

Met and photographed numerous birds today...hope you they are interesting.

P.S,: Oh, yes...it rained hard most of the day. Wind came up during the night and rain pounded SPIA.

Was very tired, ate a good evening meal, and slipped into the feathers at 5:30 pm. Read from my new Kindle for a bit...next thing I knew it was 12:30 am...raining and blowing like crazy.

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