Hike to a coastline overlook

Today's weather hit the 60s on San Juan Island and it was partly cloudy, so we are really on borrowed time as far as fair conditions go. Our next stop was Lime Kiln Point, a prime spot for whale watching, but our only sighting was a stray seal.


We got to wear ourselves out though with a respectable hike to an awesome coastal viewpoint at the 1919 Lime Kiln Lighthouse, now part of a whale sanctuary and research station.





Tomorrow might be more of an indoor day with showers moving in, but no complaints here.           

Any guesses? Anyone...Bueller?

The second day of spring - and a sunny one at that - in Friday Harbor. Just couldn't help getting a shot of this pollen wasp, on whatever kind of flowering foliage this happens to be...any guesses?  

Island trip

The ferry MV Kaleetan waited at the Anacortes ferry dock this afternoon for another load of westbound cars and passengers.

The visibility and weather were superb, and conditions couldn't have been more favorable for a much needed San Juan Island getaway.

Mt Baker

One problem though, we hadn't planned to be in the standby boarding lane for embarking - just more cars than usual, and the weather beckoning. 

The next departure for Friday Harbor was scheduled to leave in four hours, so we just had to get on board with this lineup of cars. Had to think positive.

Blue Herons forraging portside

And you know what, we must have been living right, because there was just enough room for one more Prius.

Pulling up the rear...and away from the dock.

Are we there yet?

Hearth pals

Cool and cooler winter-like evenings are becoming less and less frequent, so too the need to be running the gas fireplace each night. Sorry guys...your seasonal snuggling, if not the comic relief, will definitely be missed.

Ahem...anyone?

Hel-lo...What's a guy gotta do around here to get let outside?

Back to the future: Retro tosses

While on the desktop archives today we found this long, lost video clip. Our 1 1/2 year-old Frisbee novice really showed some promise during a trip to California back in 2009. He's a master at it now now.



Two sisters kickin back

There's nothing as therapeutic as just kickin' back on a Friday night with your favorite blogs and stroking the nearest needy kitty. Just Vic and Stella, and late night chillin'.

If a tree falls

Today we came upon a casualty of our recent stormy weather, a spruce tree well over 150 feet tall, that was toppled during our unseasonably windy weather last week.

And from the looks of things, it didn't matter if anyone was there to hear it or not, it must have made one heck of a sound. 

Vic and Casey are pictured here, waaay down at the other end of the spruce.

Wearin' of the green..and blue?

Just in time for St Patrick's Day, the first of our blooms, a Blue Spring Hyacinth and what looks to be several of its siblings. This group was kind of special because the bulbs were in sorry shape, and replanted to this part of the yard to see if they would make it.

And what do you know, there is actually some good news today,
right outside our front door.

Off-trail greens

The standout color today during an off-trail diversion was very definitely green, a Kelly green actually. The filtered rays of sunshine enhanced blankets of moss, random swatches of new foliage, fern flourishes...all in time for St. Patrick's Day.   

And there was absolutely no slowing down our Celtic charge no matter the ground cover or obstacle he encountered.

Faith and Begorrah, a day early.

Uh oh

Stella usually has no problem making herself at home and today was no exception. The perfect spot for a catnap this afternoon, a very old Paris Style quilt recently imported by our friend Marsha after one of her frequent trips to France, and a restoration project of Vic's. 

   

This impromptu, domestic short hair "lap of luxury" is now nearly restored and ready for the next phase of renewal - hypoallergenics. (Of course Marsha's allergic to cats.)   

Stark: Scenes from our neighborhood "greenbelt"

Just a week to go before spring makes its official 2011 visit and it still looks like winter bones are here for good.

Ursus americanus or just Daisy

Daisy

Just when you think you've seen it all on a morning walk with Casey, out steps Daisy. This sweet 2 1/2 year-old Newfie just loves visitors.  At first glance though, what are you thinking...black bear?

American Black Bear

 

Casey held up well though and stayed remarkably poised in this shot, in spite of Daisy blocking out the sky.

For a size comparison here, we're guessing Casey is about 30 inches long, 20 inches tall, and 55 pounds. And look, he's being the perfect gentleman. But is there another option?

Just playing around, you think Case?

See you next time, Daisy girl.

Before and After

All you have to say is "Do you want..." and the kid knows what comes next before we can even grab the leash and a poop bag "...to go for a walk?" 

So smart, and by the time the first break in the rain came this afternoon, so bored. Get outta his way.

And after putting in six Border Collie all-terrain miles to my three, 45 minutes later, someone's ready to stack some z's. 

Fish & chips and stuff

On any given sunny day, this eatery, Fairhaven Fish & Chips, would have been packed. But today, under an overcast late afternoon sky, we had our pick of tables. The only thing that was missing was our appetites, since we had just eaten lunch before our hike on the interurban. 

The UK double-decker bus has been on this corner for as long as we can remember and the menu is a full spectrum of "hanging out in Fairhaven" food fare. Clam chowder and Classic Cod Fish and Chips with, believe it or not, 50 different flavors of soft serve ice cream. Today though, just taking a breather over a cup of coffee.

  

Shuttin' down

Stella's got the relaxation thing down.