September brought two local end-of-summer camping trips and while my writing work continued albeit at a much slower pace and there was much to wonder, this blog is all about what was outside the windows of the trailer, plus a welcome-home view.
Kayak Point: A new campground for us in a forest on a bluff overlooking the Salish Sea. Just down the road from the campground is a disc golf resort and we had two days of throwing fun. I highly recommend the putting course for all levels of disc golfers. Besides being free, the par-two course has water features which add ambience and an occasional disc bath. Back at camp, we hiked a short steep trail down to the beach, where the salmon were jumping, continuously. I laughed at the joyous sight of the frolicking fish, while a local fisherman lamented that he’d have better luck shoving an empty boat out amid all that jumping than he was having fishing from shore. I attributed the salmon jumping to all their energy surging them toward their spawning grounds, perhaps in the nearby Stillaguamish River. A quick internet search added two additional reasons. According to Tlingit culture, the jumping is to better see their surroundings, a geographical orientation. The jumping may also be to dislodge sea lice. Great, now I know that such a creature as sea lice exists.
Forest View
Water View
Fort Casey: Our annual camping trip to celebrate my father’s birthday. The campground is on Admiralty Bay next to the Port Townsend ferry and a short walk to the fort. Best bets: walking along the beach to spot the huge sea lions out in the water, walking along the bluffs with views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, exploring the bunkers and Admiralty Head Lighthouse, and kite flying. One year the TV show Z Nation was filming at the fort and we were able to watch them shoot several scenes. This year included fishing for salmon, with lots of fishing and a little catching—two salmon for the birthday boy!
Port Townsend Ferry
The Fishermen
What are your favorite camping, hiking, and get outside spots? Let me know in the comments below.
Home: In May, I planted twelve or so baskets and pots with two flats of impatiens, white and salmon, an annual tradition, easy and affordable. Over four months later, with almost no attention besides watering, these flowers continue to bring cheery joy to increasingly dark and grey days. New this year—two salvia plants which also bloomed continuously with no deadheading and attracted the hummingbirds like no other flower or feeder. I’m curious to see how much longer all these plants will hold their blooms.
Do you have favorite annuals you plant each year? Preferred perennials you nurture? Drop their names in the comments below.
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