A Whidbey Island Birthday

We decided to leave for the island after dinner Tuesday  so we could have two full days there.

 It was nearing sunset as we boarded the ferry.  The sky is reflected in the windows of the pilot house.

 In all of the many times we have ridden the ferry, this is the first time we have ever stopped in crossing for an emergency drill.  Sirens and horns sounded, and a life boat was lowered over the side.

 There it is, headed for shore, and reflected in the window.

 Seagulls decorate the ferry landing.

 When we arrived on the hill above Sunlight Beach, the end of the show was near.

 I jumped out of the car when we arrived, Irene emerged from the cabin, freshly showered, and we appreciated the final burst of color over the lagoon together.

Wednesday morning I was up early for my four mile walk up the hill and down the road.

Back at the cabin, it was partly cloudy and windy on the beach side.  Everyone was in a lazy mood. We had craft time.

 Irene had collected shells and chunks of drift wood for painting.  Irene was working on a sunset, Isaac was creating a Mallard duck, and I was trying to create an aquatic scene.

 The rest of the day there was a lot of laziness, some beach walks, reading and napping.  We all roused for a wonderful barbecued ribs dinner and a long family beach road walk.

With the wind calmed, we started a fire in the fire pit.

 Lighting the candles in the birthday cake was a bit tricky, as they kept getting blown out.

 But there was singing and a "presentation" non-the-less.

 And there was good eating around the campfire.

Thursday morning we went hiking at Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve.  We start at the beach in the low area where Isaac Ebey began the first farm on the Island in the 1850's. 

 Off we go, heading up.
Irene straggled behind at first, thinking this wasn't going to be much fun.  "I'm tired already," she said, but when she caught up I started pointing out wild flowers and seed pods and before she knew it she was off exploring.

 At the "summit', although there was more up-and-downing to come.

 Finally we descended the bluff and switch-backed down the hillside.  Actually I switch-backed, and the rest took the steep, straight down route.

We followed the lagoon trail, and then back along the beach, with the surf washing the pebbled shore.

 It was all just so beautiful, with a clear sky and a gentle cooling breeze.

After returning to the car we stopped at the blockhouse that was built after Isaac Ebey was killed by Indians.  Unfortunately the Indians had good cause.

 Isaac Ebey's parents, Jacob and Sarah are buried here in the pioneer cemetery. 

 Isaac and his offspring are here, as well as many other early Whidbey settlers.

 The cemetery is on the hill overlooking the fertile farmland below.

It was time for some food, and a rest!  We drove over to the historic town of Coupeville, just on the other side of the island, which is narrow here in this lowland area.

 Irene never misses an opportunity to pose for photos.

 Isaac always hides from the camera, but he's here, along with the rest of us, enjoying ice cream for lunch!

And sail boat races for entertainment.

 We checked out the town block house.

 Irene discovered this butterfly, which didn't seem the least bit bothered by our hovering.

 There was a very lazy afternoon, with reading and video watching and napping and more eating.

We had a great left over birthday dinner meal, went for a short walk, had more birthday cake, and when Tom and I left, the terns were making a racket on the lagoon, and the two grandchildren were wilding in the back yard.

It was a wonderful birthday.  And Josy is now very happy to have us back home.  She's curled up on the desk chair next to me, Tom is still sound asleep, and it's about time for me to head to the shower.  We're off to Friday morning breakfast with friends, followed by a slow day at home.  But there will have to be an exercise walk.  I have cake and ice cream to work off, as well as another year under my belt.