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We were now truly a far piece from home, but in a way it was kind of like being back home. We were in Anacortes, Washington for the Cook Family reunion, Sue and 5 of her brothers and sisters all gathered for excursions and dining and catching up with one another. The gathering was thrown together by Brother Bob's wife Anne, who lives up there on the edge of Washington. After months of asking, "Hey, when is everybody going to come out here?"
Sue always maintained that she was the odd one out in a family of planners and organizers, not her strong suit. But then again, nobody seemed to be able to get too organized or make any plans, surprising, but true. It did come together, and maybe not surprising, it was a good time on the saltwater shore and under the 'proper kind of forest' as brother Tom observed.
It was a time of ambling and rambling with no hard driving purpose, but just a chance to get together and go see some of the stuff around the Skagit County. There was a trip to Samish Island beach for picking up sealife in tide pools, a picnic at Padilla Bay and a walk through the proper kind of spruce forest followed by a big family dinner. Bill, the one who did not make it out for the grand gathering, sent along some home canned sweet pickles for communal consumption. We hoisted a gherkin in his name and wished he were here.
There was a ferry trip to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island, pretty much because a lot of folks in the group think it fun to sail through the islands on a ferry boat. Those in the group that did not share such a concept of what constituted 'fun', sailed along with the crowd to go along anyway, what the hey?. We wandered on foot through the tourist trapping boutiques and shops in town, stopping to get some beer and food for lunch. There ferry scheduled was pretty far out of kilter once were ready to return to the mainland, so with the delay, what could we do but order some ice cream? Lavender ice cream was highly advertised and recommended by some, though not everybody shared the same taste nor did they share licks. Family will only take you so far, but there comes a point where you have truly crossed the line.
For Sue and me, it had been a long and wonder-filled road trip, but it was time to turn it around and drive hell bent for leather back to Texas. Likewise, Tom and Esther had a few stops to make besides the reunion, so they left town a bit before us. Mike and Sally opted to linger a bit longer and Bob promised to take out his boat and crab pots to get a fresh dinner from the bottom of the channel. It was a good plan, until the boat motor blew a head gasket and quit in the middle of the deep blue sea. They were rescued and had plenty of juicy pincher critters to throw in the pot once they did get ashore.
For us it was drive to my parents house in Polson, Montana, where we claimed a good late meal, some homemade dessert and a free bed. Thanks Mom & Dad, we gotta go now! Off early the next morning for the long 13+ hour haul to Denver. A friend from our days in Denver in the 1980's was allowing us to sleep at her place, even though she was going to be out of town. Another kind and good plan, except the code to get into the garage and into her place did not work. There are planners and thinkers-aheaders in this world, and Cindy being one, also had directed us toward a neighbor with a key if we ran into trouble. We got the kindly neighbor to put on her bathrobe and open the door and provide a key to Cindy's place. Aaah, we slept well.
A long breakfast with old friend Walt in the morning before we left town. Walt, a former commercial lumber salesman is now a Presbyterian Minister with a church on the plains east of Denver. Walt seems pleased with what the Lord has done for him.
We loose an hour traveling east, but the end is in sight, and we returned to our home to find the A/C still working (I had my doubts as I locked the door behind me 19 days ago) and our bed ready and willing to accept us back into it comforting folds.
A far piece from... and a far piece back to home. But did we travel well and see some great people and sights. I'd have to admit, I did enjoy the journey.
Some of the stats:
Trip Mileage: 5,804 Miles
Fuel: $726.43 Cost of Gasoline, 290.6 Gallons
Average 19.7 MPG
Average Fuel Cost: $2.499
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