You Deserve a Camano Sunset Supper

Camano Beach Sunset, Aug. 25, 2025

 The day had been pleasantly warm. My physical chores had been accomplished around the house. I was not exhausted, but filled with a well-worn feeling of satisfaction with my day's work.

I chose not to eat leftover spaghetti from the fridge. No. Heated up leftovers was not what I wanted. I deserved a shot at optimizing the end of my fine day. I had a simple plan, I would stop and buy a Subway sandwich as I motored through Stanwood on my way out for an evening picnic supper at Camano Beach State Park.

While I was driving to my favorite 'table with a view', my wife called me from Texas, earlier that usual. 

I answered via my SUVs bluetooth, "Are you driving somewhere?" was her question.

"Yes. Yes I am." I think she could hear me smiling.

"Where?"

"I'm going for a simple supper on Camano Beach. You wanna come along? I have reserved a table with a view."

It was nice to share supper conversation as she listened to me crunch on sea salt & vinegar potato chips as I watched the boats return to the ramp as the sky turned to warm, evening hues.

The sun dipped into the tree tops on Whidbey Island across Saratoga Strait. I gave her a play-by-play of the setting sun. 

The marine air chilled into the upper 60s and I was on my way off the island in the late August dusk.

This is a nice place. 

You should come hangout with me. You deserve a Camano Island sunset supper.

Salamander

I needed a bucket. I was working on a trenching project to pipe the back-flushed water from my well water filtration system away from my foundation, where it was currently configured to empty every night. Not good for my foundation to have so much water dumped at its base.

I needed a bucket. There happened to be a bucket under the blue spruce north of the house. I picked up the bucket that had been resting for a least a year on the forest floor and discovered a very cool friend securely hiding beneath the orange plastic container. 

Long-toed Salamander
Ambystoma macrodactylum

Reptiles and amphibians have been a keen interest of mine since maybe first grade. I was delighted to meet its acquaintance. Sharing a habitat with frogs, salamanders and plenty of garter snakes is one of the delights of this place. 

Long-toed Salamander with Nasturtiums 

I marveled at this creature, spoke comforting words to the small amphibian and then placed him among the moist grasses and ferns below the ramp to my front door. It is good luck to have a salamander as your gatekeeper.

Just be cautious of those garter snakes my fine friend.