A Sunday Drive

There are some childhood memories that are just dear to the heart. For me, it is the Sunday drives my family would take. We piled into the car, not really sure where we were going but it was always fun! Well, last weekend my husband, daughter and I did just that. We drove off of Whidbey Island via the Deception Pass Bridge to the Skagit Valley. This time we turned southeast from La Conner to Fir Island, a rich farm land teeming with wildlife.

We spied an old barn.

Adjacent is a field of budding daffodils.

How lovely this spot will be when they bloom!

We took a back road and found these cows

feeding just feet from our car.

Looking the other direction, we found swans getting a drink from rainwater.

We ended up near Conway, where we found snow geese.

Like the trumpeter and tundra swans, they migrate here from the Artic.

On the return trip, we admired lovely farm homes.

 Ah, the country life!

La Conner

Fir Island

Fir Island Game Preserve

Conway

Swans & Snow Geese in the Skagit

Photo credits: Wild about Whidbey

Spring Art Studio Tour

 This weekend the Whidbey Working Artists are hosting a tour. Studios will be open up and down the island, featuring all types of media. The event kicks off with a reception Friday night, March 2nd from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the PNW Art School,15 NW Birch St., Coupeville. Studios will be open Saturday and Sunday. Visit their website for tour information, or see the flyer in today's Whidbey News Times.

The Bread Farm

Although we love living on Whidbey Island, sometimes we are just itching to get off and do some exploring. One of our favorite places to hang out is the nearby Skagit Valley. This morning we were greeted by both snowflakes and sunshine as we drove out to the community of Bow.

We saw lots of birds: Hawks, ducks and geese...

New born calves with their mothers...

We stopped by the Breadfarm to pick up a loaf of Potato Bread.

 My, oh my... Did it ever smell good in there!

The Bread Farm sells granola, dog treats, crackers, coookies, pastries, dinner rolls, sandwich loaves and many different types of bread. Be advised: They take cash only! Look for them at area Farmer's Markets, including our own in Oak Harbor.  Their goods are also available as speciality grocery stores, such as the Food Co-op in Mount Vernon.

This  tiny community has a character all of its own...

Lots of old buildings, like the Longhorn Saloon.
 Bow was founded in 1869.

Penn Cove Mussel Festival

The Penn Cove Mussel Festival is next weekend- March 2 and 3rd, in Coupeville. Activities include the 'Mussel Mingle', cooking demo, chowder tasting, beer garden, sailboat rides, mussel eating contest, kids activities,an art walk, mountain bike ride
and tours of the Penn Cove Shellfish Company. Dress warmly and bring a big appetite!

Whidbey's Scenic Isle Way

Gray Whales Return!

Whidbey Island welcomes the gray whales back each spring. They typically begin arriving in March, although some times they are spotted sooner. The gray whales make one of the longest migrations of any mammal on earth. Each year they swim more than 10,000 miles roundtrip  from Mexico to the Artic. These whales enter our waters via the Strait of Juan de Fuca, stopping to rest and feed on ghost shrimp. To track the whales, visit Orca Network's website and click on the sightings icon.
Saturday, March 3rd, is the opening season of Deception Pass Tours. New this year is whale watching tours, originating from Oak Harbor. To learn more, visit their website or call 888-909-TOUR.
On April 21st & 22nd, Langley will host Welcome the Whales, a festival to celebrate these magnificent creatures. For information, visit www.orcanetwork.org or call 360-678-3451. Here's a video of last year's festival. It really showcases our love and reverance for the whales!

Captain Whidbey Inn

On the shores of lovely Penn Cove, you will find The Captain Whidbey Inn. The Inn is over 100  years old and features orginal timber (post and beam construction of Madrona logs), wood floors and a stone fireplace. As you can see in the video, it sits on a very unique piece of property. This makes the Captain Whidbey Inn a very popular place for weddings.  Visitors can arrive by car, boat or float plane; they can choose from a variey of lodging options. Locals have discovered that the restaurant and bar are a good thing, too. The deck is especially popular in the summer months.

Shifty Sailors and a Shanty Fest

The Shanty Fest had to be cancelled earlier this winter due to snow. It is now slated for February 18th  at Greenbank Farm. The Saturday Song Sessions will run from 1 to 5 p.m.. They are free and suitable for families. Click here for a PDF schedule. Tickets for the concert  at 6:30 p.m. are $20;  available from Brown Paper Tickets:  1-800-838-3006   www.brownpapertickets.com or from  local outlets. This year the Shifty Sailors will be joined by the following musicians: Chris Roe,  the Whateverly Brothers and Watch the Sky. The concert will be held indoors in Barn A, with beer, wine and refreshments available for purchase.  The Shifty Sailors travel all over the world to share their music with others.  Here's a clip of an impromptu performance on the ferry a couple of years ago...

10 Fun Things to do on Valentine's Day

1) Surprise your valentine a singing telegram: The An-O-Chords will arrive in  handsome  attire to sing two beautiful love songs and  deliver a  long stemmed rose. As a bonus, they will mail you a  photo of moment. $35. Reserve now: 678-7510
2) Bite into some yummy Whidbey Cupcakes after a day tour of  Langley.
3) Watch the sun set and the moon rise from the Deception Pass bridge.
4) Enjoy a romantic dinner out. Here are a few restaurants to choose from: 
Langley- Prima Bistro  Coupeville-Front Street Grill  Oak Harbor- Fraser's Gourmet Hideaway
5) Fly a kite together at Fort Casey, then break into a thermos of  Dark Hot Chocolate.

6) Walk on/off the island via the Clinton-Mukilteo Ferry. Watch for whales while eating at Ivar's.

7)  Go bowling at the Oak Bowl . They have a great special for Valentine's Day!

8) Share the love: Donate food to Help House  or take flowers to a shut-in.

9) Go to a movie and enjoy a Choco-Cherry Blizzard afterwards. Or, how about the Drive-in?

10) Finish up that wine you bought while on the Red Wine &Chocolate Tour

Google Image. Original source unknown.

Big Sun!

Wild About Whidbey Photo

Today was one of those days that Washingtonians live for! Clear blue skies and sunshine. After a frosty start, tempatures warmed up in the 50s. Not bad for early February!

Driving across the Deception Pass bridge tonight I observed the following:

1) The days are getting longer.

2) The sun was especially big and bright today.

3) I am in a happy mood. Thank you, Vitamin D!