Let’s enjoy the sun and drive to our old cabin near Coyle to see if the rhododendrons are blooming, Linda suggested. Now that we are retired, thoughts like this often get acted on quickly. In less than 15 minutes we were on I-90 floating bridge facing the decision of taking the ferry or driving there by way of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Taking the ferry felt right today and the feeling proved to be fortuitous as we purchased our ticket and literally drove on the ferry without needing to park first.
I followed an elderly gentleman noting his obvious limp while climbing up the ferry stairs. When I asked him about his knee, he commented that this was his fifth injury due to his motorcycle passion and misfortune. His comment allowed me to pass him and climb the stairs more upright without favoring my own sore right knee, just to show off. Visiting the free magazine rack, I grab a handout to read in the car, citing good oyster restaurants, morel picking tips, and new local business on Bainbridge and Whidby Island.
Our drive through Bainbridge was brief but we noted locations of previously visited attractions here including a new Thomas Dambo Troll, Pickleball Founders Court near Battle Park and the Bloedel Reserve garden area. We clutched our quarters as we passed a casino just as we left Bainbridge — maybe next time — and noted that multiple fireworks stands were readying for business after Memorial Day. Native American gas prices here are normally attractive to help lure visitors to their local businesses.
We stopped for lunch at our favorite grocery store in Poulsbo, but noted that it had changed hands and was now a Town and Country store. Their salad bar and dining area were recently remodeled including the addition of comfortable indoor and outdoor seating.
Continuing our drive towards our old cabin, we crossed the Hood Canal bridge while noticing that the tide was too high to harvest clams and oysters at the local Shine State Park. Two miles later we turned left near the fire station towards our cabin destination. It is only May 6 today and we found that the rhododendrons are barely starting to bloom. Within a week there will be almost a solid wall of their light pink color lining the roadway. We are too early also for white chanterelle spring mushrooms and ground blackberries that we have foraged in the past.
The cabin area was a disappointment as the new owners are not good groundskeepers. We stop in to see our old neighbor and had a pleasant visit. Sharron informed us that crabbing has been slow the last few years and recent logging has taken away her favorite picking areas for chanterelle.
For variety we chose to take the Kingston ferry home while noticing a few scenery changes since our last trip. We missed seeing the work of a local woodcarver being displayed at a local gas station and hope that it was simply because his well carved woodwork has simply sold out. Our timing was great and again were able to quickly board the ferry. We noticed partially finished jigsaw puzzles at numerous tables. Passengers are expected to add a few “fits” as an added ferry attraction. Home felt good as we pulled in the driveway, but it was a day well spent. I like this retired life.
Roger Urbaniak of Mercer Island is a longtime contributor to Northwest Prime Time. His website, http://www.RogersOutdoorChannel.org, encourages others to explore outdoor activities through articles, resources and more.
