One Day at a Time on Orcas Island

I like to celebrate the small things. Like the daffodils and my one orange tulip blooming. I talk to my tiny lettuce and chard plants that I am sprouting in the south facing windows each morning.
I bask in the sunshine on our window seat when it finally arives in the spring.

On Monday, Ken and I went off to the River Farm to begin the process of teaching the horses how to pull a forecart. It was such fun to have him with me, and he had a great time putting the equipment together and seeing what needed to be done. The mares were very very fiesty, and it took a while to figure out why.. and then it dawned on me.. the biggest full moon in many years, spring moon, and quess what - they were in season! So the day with the horses did not go as smoothy as it could have, but that's horses for you.

On Tuesday that same moon gave us record low tides. So I convinced Ken to go to our friends'
beach to gather oysters. Yum.. Huge old oysters.. such a find. Cassie our 15 yr old Golden Retriever loving being at the beach, digging for stones and wading in the water.

That night we had a date with the Otters, they also had been gathering oysters from one of Teri's Jin Shin Clients who has a oyster farm.. so we feasted on dozens of oysters drenched in galic and butter and others in hot sauce.. Howard and Sheila joined us and brought an apple crisp from their apple trees. I got to hear more stories of their years in the Arctic teaching native children.

Today I worked with my horses, getting them ready for teaching this spring and summer. It was sunny and they really would have prefered to nap. I have been on Rascal about 6 times this spring and on Black Elk about 3 times. They need work.. Black Elk needs to get the steering down, and I need to stop worrying that he'll buck me off!

The Otter's Call

Captain Don Murray- Author of Pie in the Sky Adventures and Recipes

Last Thursday the sun peaked out and I got a call from the Otters. Now, they aren't really otters... Ken and I just call them Otters, 'cause they like to play. Today they were luring me with their siren song to the water - 'come play- come tootle around on the water with us- come out, the sun is shining!'

First Mate and Co-Author- Teri Murray

 What's an old kayak guide to do? I love the water, just being on the water, even when it's cold and raining... but, I had work to do... didn't I? Ken and I discussed it and decided that Jack, my water-loving father, would have said: 'Go! Go play on the water!'

So, down to the Dock in Deer Harbor I went, carrying my snow pants and wearing my mucklucks. Don and Teri, the Otters - had just arrived, loaded down with warm hats, scarves and hot coffee. Once again they were off on a Pie in the Sky Adventure!  This pair are professionals at having a good time, good food and good friends. Their lifetime of living and sailing on boats made my job so simple - just relax and have fun!

Off we went from Deer Harbor out towards Jones Island State Park, over to Stewart Island and then we were hailed by the friendly Coast Guard. They were out training their boys, who didn't look old enough to be out of high school, but obviously were. They put us through the routine and while hauling out life jackets and flares and important paper work, we were reminded why keeping a boat 'ship shape' is a good idea. The Fire extinguisher felt full but said empty, so we were kindly escorted to Roach Harbor. It was not until then, I thought of my camera...

Roach Harbor, San Juan Island

A nice little walk through Roach Harbor, a bit of fuel, a new fire extinguisher, and back on the water. Don was off to find his long time crab fisherman friend, hoping for a crab feed that night. He wasn't hard to find, hauling his pots right off the harbor.

Dungeness Crabs from Roach Harbor-Yum!

 Mission accomplished, we were off to return to Orcas, running ahead of the rain clouds.

And then running a bit faster...

We arrived back at the dock in Deer Harbor just as the hail began to fall.

Within an hour we were cooking crab at Don and Teri's...

What could be better than fresh crab caught hours earlier gently steamed and served with homemade cornbread?

Cracked Crab cooling with Ice Cubes

 Ken was obviously born under a lucky star, as he waits for crab found by Otters.

Looking for a slice of heaven on Orcas Island?  - give Ken a jingle at OrcasDreams - he should be working!