When you open yourself up to life, Life opens up to you!: Last Stops In Washington

Just realized it's been over a month since I wrote. Time to play catch up as we prepare to soon hit the road for parts unknown. Well they are known but not as yet experienced by us.

As mentioned in our last post we have spent a lot of time at Kitsap Memorial State Park as it was convenient to Sara and the boys. It is definitely one I would go back to should we find ourselves in the area. Great little park. We even got to see Harbor Seals swim by one day!

Interesting tidbit I learned while there: A group of Herons is called a Siege. There was a Siege of Herons nesting in the trees along the trail. An amazing sight, there had to be 30-50 nests. I actually thought it a colony of squirrels at first until I saw the Herons. Incredible.

During March we decided to head to the other side of the Sound, We stayed at one of the Thousand Trails parks in La Conner. Another great place and what a site we had. Our back window looked out of the Sound! Can't beat it. We were so lucky to get that site. The ranger on duty when we checked in mentioned it was available if we wanted a water view. We went right over to it and gave consideration to it not having sewer hookup, Yeah for like two seconds, so we gave up full hookups to have that VIEW!! No contest.

Spent 10 lovely days there. Nice size park with lots of walking to be done, many a times along the shoreline, got to see some Harbor Seals one day. The campground is well kept with clean if dated bathhouses with lots of hot water for showering.

La Conner Campground is unique in that the land the campground is on is actually leased from the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community. It is located right on the Puget Sound and beautiful pieces of drift wood have wash ashore over the many years. The large pieces have been pile up and around the shoreline making natural leantos and sitting areas. The beach is very stony which is quite the norm for the area, bits and pieces broken and smooth both the currents, leftover from ice age. Got to see many different shore birds: plovers, skimmers, gulls, etc. So much fun to sit and watch the gulls pick up a clam or oyster, fly to a rocky area and let it drop. This in turn causes the shell to split open and Voila, dinner is served. Got to see several bald eagles, including one young one just starting to get its white feathers. There is also a nature center there but unfortunately closed due to COVID.

As you walk along the shoreline you come to the point known as Lone Tree Point. A sacred tree and area, the only tree on that bit of land. In the language of Lushootseed ( the Coast Salish Swinomish) it is called Dadc'culqui, pronounced DAHD-chool-kee, meaning a point that anchors land, sea, and sky. To stand there is to experience that sacredness.

We have also had the pleasure of doing some driveway camping on several occasions at Paul's cousin Sheryl's. It is always fun to get together and her place overlooks the Hood Canal with a view and a half! The Stich Resort is certainly one of my favorites.

One other campground we had the pleasure of staying at came at the end of our time here in Washington, Dosewallip State Park. More on that next time!

Was able to squeeze in one more gathering before heading out. Perfect way to end our time in Washington: Cooking hot dogs and marshmallows over the campfire with the Johnsons. (minus the hiding Alec!!)

So now our time in Washington is over and we will be do a quick trip out to South Dakota to take care of some personal business, then we will be moseying down through Utah as we make our way to Southern California!