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6/19 thru 6/22
We did find out that the oil refinery is exactly that, only there are two and what is happening with the ships coming & going is: ships are bringing in crude oil and other ships are loading up finished products to take to market. No supertankers but they still look pretty big. The town is a delightful mix of old & new. They have one of the Carnegie Libraries that has been carefully cared for & now serves as their historical museum. They have a most unusual mosaic decorated 2 acre park built to honor the dead of World War I and, later, the town people included & honored the local casualties of successive wars up to Viet Nam. Anacortes originally had Native Americans and eventually settlers arrived a few at a time until a determined Amos Bowman arrived with big ideas for developing the town. He acted as public relations firms do now & ‘talked up’ the town all over the country. He named the town Anacortes after his wife, Anna Curtis. The railroad came in 1890 and the population grew to 2,000 folks. Canneries began to spring up and it their heyday there were 12 salmon canning & codfish curing plants. Then the lumber mills thrived. Since the 1950’s another shift in Anacortes’ industry occurred when new industry arrived. There are 2 oil refineries, marinas, boat building and local businesses to support the population acting as the backbone of the city. Clean air & water enhance the beautiful landscape.
We have dined, shopped and toured. We have taken the ferry through the San Juan Islands. It has been such a pleasure to have Ted & Anne to show us about. They have been here before & have gotten to know the area well. I will let our pictures tell of our 4 days here.
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Farmer’s Market Day. Great lettuce and sourdough bread and fudge and...........
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Two of the many older buildings in the historic district of Anacortes. Above: The hotel, proudly bearing its birth date of 1890, is beautifully restored and the building to the left is in the process of having its exterior done. The clock is so pretty with its fresh coat of paint.
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Local artist, Paul Mitchell, has, with the help of others, created 100 ‘murals’ of the early citizens of Anacortes. The subjects are from every walk of life, from the bantam weight boxer on the right, to prominent early families, to the Safeway manager and the first car wreck in Anacortes. A brilliant way to keep the life & times of these folks & events in front of the citizens & visitors. Really enjoyed this!!
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Above: a view of Anacortes and its marina from Cap Sante, a tall knoll protruding into the bay. Obviously, with all the islands & waterways boating is a way of life here. Left: Gary & Anne take in the view.
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Moored at a disintegrating dock, this once powerful tug boat is slowly being destroyed by the elements. In the background, the modern tankers are busy gorging or disgorging cargo.
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One of few remaining Carnegie Library buildings in the U.S., this lovely site is now an historical museum for the town. It tells the story of Anacortes by telling the stories of some of the town’s more eccentric residents. Mounted on large panels are pictures & facts of their lives. From beginning settlers to current residents. It is the most interesting and orderly historical museum we’ve seen.
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Hangin’ out in the shade. Does seem a bit silly as the wind is so cold. You can see the trunk of the tree isn’t big enough to keep the wind from tossing my hair straight up!
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Causland Park is the memorial to the WWI soldiers. This mosaic of stone stage is part of the amphitheater. The mosaic theme is used throughout the park. My writings above tells the rest of the story.
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We temporary residents of the RV park witnessed the launching of 2 boats by local Samish Indians. Adults & children rowed these across the bay & further & then returned. Takes such strength!
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I’ve not yet watched the launching of Ted’s boat, but am hopeful. Gary is trying it on for size while Ted explains all the intricacies of his one-man pontoon boat that floats him just where he wants to go to catch those elusive fish. Just like the boat above, Ted has oars.
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The day we rode the ferry the weather was pretty good. No rain, little wind and temps that only required a light jacket. We saw many, many boats as we wound our way through the islands. I’ve included some small craft. These guys are intimidated by nothing. They dart between the big boats with bravado, just like little dogs have no fear of their larger counterparts.
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Sea gull with his own boat. In the lanes of boat traffic, this guy is doing his hunting while staying dry.
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Ted & Gary enjoying the view.
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Orcas Island
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A dog & his man at Friday Harbor. This sweet dog carries his leash in his mouth & turns occasionally to his master to make sure he (doggie) is heading in the direction desired. We saw them for quite a few minutes and the routine never varied.
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Friday Harbor, San Juan Island. A very pretty tourist area close to the ferry docking. Filled with shops & restaurants, it is teeming with folks, both tourists & locals. This island has a developed area inland where there are the normal town amenities. The inhabited islands are the setting for very pricey homes and they depend on the ferry for everything from transportation to freight.
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Above: Adult & half-grown goslings going home after feeding in front of the RVs. Below: Cormorants at the ferry dock.
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In the tidelands in front of the coach, this sea gull is hunting mussels. When he finds one, he will fly upward & drop the mussel back to earth in order to break the shell. He begins his descent as the mussel falls & begins picking through the broken shell to eat his succulent find.
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A loon stretching his wings.
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A juvenile robin poses for his picture while hunting for his lunch.
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Look carefully for the deer. She, with friend, were casually walking down the main street of Anacortes when Gary saw them. Ted whipped the car around to find them so we could grab a photo & they had moved onto a residential street & separated. Moved fast!
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