Monday, January 17, 2011

SKAGIT VALLEY - BIRDS AND MORE BIRDS

SCHOOL BUS WAITING SHED...SOME FOLKS TAKE GOOD CARE FOR CHILDREN SAFETY

FOUR BALD EAGLES, 2 RAVENS & LOTS OF STARLINGS IN THIS TREE


BLUEBERRY PLANTS - WINTERING OVER



FIELDS ARE FLOODED FROM RAIN




PADILLA BAY - WHITE CAPS & COLD WITH CONSTANT DRIZZLE





WINDSOCK - VERY WINDY DAY...VERY COLD DAY






BAYVIEW - NICE STROLLER - COLD AND WINDY DAY







PADILLA BAY RESERVE...SUPPORTED BY N.O.AA / O.C.R.M, AND WASHINGTON STATE DEPT OF ECOLOGY...www.padillabay.gov




BAYVIEW, WASHINGTON - ON PADILLA BAY




PADILLA BAY DIKE WATERFRONT TRAIL



HWY 20 BRIDGE OVER LA CONNER CANAL...CASINO ON LEFT



HIGHWAY 20 AT WHIDBEY ISLAND TURNOFF




ANDIE & LARRY.Thanks for the ride




DAY 5 – SKAGIT VALLEY

Spent a restful but NOISY night…It rained nearly all night, pounding on SPIA’s rooftop.

Again went to sleep early…not nearly yet in shape to take on 30 – 40 mile days…just 6 hours hoof’n it tuckers me out.

Must say, however, that having SPIA is a dream.

Keeping walks close by…usually within 5 miles or, so get to rest up, eat something, and change into dry clothes every 2 – 3 hours.

Have also discovered SPIA to have a superb system of generating electricity and producing HEAT.

Using the Inverter, we have 120 volt electricity on demand (as long as SPIA’s motor is running), which is great for charging phone and camera batteries and for the Mini Computer when going on line. On batteries, the Mini Computer is VERY slow when on line.

While generating electricity, turn SPIA”s Heater on full. Since the cab is fully open to the camper living area, the whole place is nice and warm within 5 minutes. Does consume additional gasoline...but used sparingly - wear sweaters, etc - should be manageable.

Cannot tell what a pleasure all that is over last Summer.

Started the day with Pancakes and fried eggs chased with hot tea…not bad, Huh?

At 8:30 am, started walking West and South towards the small town of BAYVIEW, WASHINGTON, located on the East Shore of Padilla Bay – not far from ANACORTES Oil Refineries.

Was planning on turning around after 1.5 hours, but felt great so kept going. Got all the way to Bayview, about 8 miles and 2 hours out. Turned around and walked back about 4 miles when a nice lady & her man passenger stopped to give me a ride. Andie and Larry dropped me off right next to SPIA…their kindness gave me an extra hour of walking.

Drove SPIA to Bayview, parked, and walked South along the Padilla Waterfront Trail which reaches within a mile or so of Highway 20…the roadway we will take to Whidbey Island tomorrow.

The Waterfront Trail is actually a massive DIKE, holding back the shallow waters of Padilla Bay, creating large tracts of recovered land which is under cultivation – mostly under rainwater at the moment.

Walked to Highway 20 and halfway back when another kind fellow, John, stopped his truck for me. John delivered me to SPIA’s doorstep. Another 45 minutes saved for later walking.

Drove SPIA to the Casino alongside the Bridge over the navigable canal from Bellingham Bay to the South Sound via LA CONNER, WASHINGTON. Many the time I sailed TICINO and JOURNEY, my two magnificent yachts, through that canal on my way to Seattle or Tacoma.

Seems everywhere I walk, I already been there.

Parked SPIA at the Casino and walked back over the Canal Bridge to the point on Highway 20 I reached an hour or so earlier…then walked back to SPIA.

Again walked from SPIA West along Highway 20 for one mile and return.

Moved SPIA again – always forward – for the last time today to where Highway 20 hangs a left to Whidbey Island. The main road goes on another 4 miles to ANACORTES, WASHINGTON, where one catches the Ferry to the San Juan Islands and VICTORIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA.

Took one last walk back along Highway 20 to where I turned around earlier…and then back to SPIA.

We are parked in a open space next to the Corner Restaurant. Have tons of food on board SPIA, but felt like being pampered, so treated myself to a nice country roast beef dinner…$11.00, including Salad.

Now, back at SPIA at 6:15 pm, writing this on the Mini Computer, using the BIG Key Board, with the Mini on Battery…Battery works just find when not on the Net.

A bit later will start up SPIA again for her electricity, put the Mini on line, Paste this into my blog and download today’s pictures.

Tons of Birds today. Bet I saw 20 Bald Eagles.


PROGRESS REPORT: WALKED 31 MILES (less 4 miles rides) COUNT 16 MILES


SEE YOUR IMPACT: 16 MILES @ $0.02 = $0.32 FOR THE DAY
Tomorrow, will walk to Deception Pass and onto Whidbey Island...try to reach OAK HARBOR, WASHINGTON.

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