Visitors to the island have been experiencing the type of Spring that Tom Robbins describes in his book “Still Life with Woodpecker” “ …spring came to the Puget Sound country as it frequently does, like a bride’s maid climbing a greased pole. After a gradual, precarious ascent, spring, in a triumph of frills and blooms and body heat, would seem to have finally arrived, only to suddenly slide down into the mud again, leaving winter’s wet flag flapping stiffly and singularly at the top of the seasonal staff. Then, girlish bosom heaving, spring would shinny slowly back up the pole.”
The colorful wildflowers we saw in April have given way to drizzly days for weeks now – a semblance of winter without the cold temperatures, but the island is still gloriously beautiful. The rains seem to have made the surrounding landscape impossibly greener than it ever was. I love driving to work down San Juan Valley road every day, checking out the scenery – it’s a view I never tire of. There are herds of cattle on each side of the road. On the north side, the pasture is a bit scrubby looking and the cows are always standing around rooting through the brush. But the pasture lands on the south side are beautiful green rolling hills; the cattle there are often sitting down, just chillin’ out, enjoying the morning. I’m told this is because they’ve already gotten their fill of food, and don’t need to keep foraging. So the rain, though it may spoil picnic plans and cause frizzy hair for curly-headed folks, definitely has its advantages.
But here’s the thing I can’t stress enough: it’s STILL lovely here. Do like the locals do – wear a waterproof jacket with a hood and fleece underneath, put on your waterproof boots, and just get out there anyway. You won’t melt away, and you’ll have many of the great tourist spots all to yourself because most people will stay away. Hike, whale watch, view the straits off Lime Kiln Point – it’s all good, and it’s all waiting for you. Come enjoy.
By the way, cattle are not the only ones who forage on the island. Read more about this at http://cohorestaurant.com/blog/
For news on what’s happening at our inns, go to http://www.tuckerhouse.com/blog/ and http://www.harrisonhousesuites.com/blog/.
