If herons, eagles or whales brightened the view of Camano Island when I was in high school, they never found their way into my recollection.
I remember the perfect burger, crisp fries and Coke with just the right amount of ice served at Ovenell's Drive-In, east of the island's gateway bridge in Stanwood. There was fresh-cut hay, golden in sunset, and the acrid smell of peas processed at Twin City Foods.
March 25, 2005
CAMANO ISLAND It's tough to compete with Mother Nature.
At last year's Camano Island Studio Tour, held annually over Mother's Day weekend, visitors rushed past artist Diane Hill's studio shouting:
"Is this the place with the gray whales?"
Yes, it was. The migrating pod was frolicking off Hill's bluff that overlooks Saratoga Passage. In previous years, eagles stole the thunder.
April 22, 2004
BELFAIR, Mason County Sea life that adapts to cling to whatever it can as the tide goes in and out; plant life that filters out pollutants and salt. I couldn't wait to share these details of the active, hidden life in the soothing green and brown expanse of the Theler Wetlands in Belfair.
But as I bent to read the interpretive sign in the blazing sunlight, my companions gestured wildly and fruitlessly to get me to turn to see what they saw:
August 1, 2002
Unbeknownst to anybody but me, as I enjoyed a scone and creamy latte at the window table at Lottie Mott's coffee shop, I actually was knocking off No. 6 and No. 10 on the Columbia City Historical Walking Tour.
When I say historic, I don't mean the scone belonged in the day-old bin. But by sitting in Lottie Mott's, I was actually in the 1904 Columbia Hotel, No. 10 on this self-guided tour that I snagged off the City of Seattle's Web site.
March 21, 2002
OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK Standing on the precipice of Hurricane Ridge's advanced run, with light powder blowing in my face, I ticked off the reasons why I shouldn't make the leap:
1. It was 3:43 p.m. and I didn't want to miss the funky old community bus down the mountain at 4.
2. I hadn't been downhill skiing in six years, and I wasn't "advanced" then.
January 31, 2002
LEAVENWORTH, Chelan County Golden leaves mark the end of one season outside the Hotel Pension Anna as Janine Salter takes a deep breath and begins her list of what's next for festive Leavenworth.
The December Christmas lighting ceremonies will be extended to three big weekends, she says, as if soft down comforters and imported Bavarian furniture weren't enough to tempt guests.
Three churches are doing live nativity scenes or other performances.
November 22, 2001
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