I knew it was too early to take a newborn on a big trip, so the best option was to leave early in the day after making sure Christina did not need us. She was doing well...a great momma...but Shane had also gone back to work after baby leave the day before. She insisted that she would be fine and it would be good to have a day alone to rest without interruption.
SO...we were off!
We left before seven in the morning to catch our first of three ferries. We had found out the night before that it is better to make reservations during the busy summer months but we decided to take a chance and go on stand by instead. We arrived early and were one of the first in line. We had no problem making it on. The children loved the ride...the temperatures were cooler and once the ferry was under way it was actually quite cold. We stayed out on the deck as long as we could stand. We thought it funny that during a group picture Edward decided to open his mouth wide as if singing and that is when the fog horn blew...we could not have planned if we had tried!
We arrived on Whidbey Island and were off to the first national park of the day. We were to find out that the entire island was part of the park however there was still a working town. This was a special effort by the park services to maintain protection for the land without disturbing those who lived there. In fact, the visitor center for the park was right beside the town's cemetery which has many historical graves. We could return our booklets at several locations around the town. We knew we would not have a lot of time to complete the books so we began work as we continued to the main street of town. One of the activities was to determine the original purpose of the buildings that were in use on the main street.
We would now need to wait 2 hours for the next one...but we were in line! So...the next best thing to do when waiting...geocaching! And there happened to be several in the area. We found two of the closer ones as we could not all leave the van at the same time. We were close enough to the water that we found enough interesting things to do while we waited. Unfortunately, this delay would give us a short amount of time on the San Juan Islands. We had an interesting talk with a regular visitor to the islands. She told us that it was a little early for whale watching but there were a lot of other things to see. We also had time to review the island map. We had a plan to see as much as possible in our limited time.
We would travel along the outer road circling the island to watch for sea life. We had two locations on opposite sides of the island associated with the national park. You see this island was once fought for by Americans and British...if you have never heard of the Pig War...I encourage you look up the story...the only casualty of the war was the pig who was tempted to enter the wrong garden.
We went to the American camp first...we were the only ones in the parking lot and the park ranger seemed eager to meet us...practically coming to our door. He asked if we had really traveled all the way from Texas...yep...over 3000 miles! Well he had something that was worth the drive! He had a telescope set up to view the eagle's nest above the visitor center. What a great mascot for the camp! 
We enjoyed the view and then found out that we had an hour to travel to the British camp before it closed! YIKES!!!! Time flies when you are having fun! We watched a short film to explain the story of the island and then we were on our way. The ocean view along the road was wonderful! And the woman was right...not a siting of whales the entire time! We will just have to find whales in a different location. I have been told their whales all along the coast even in Monterey. It will happen some how...I just know it!
We got to the British camp in time to view the buildings. However, the big attraction there was the telescope set up to view the osprey nest! WOW! Two different magnificent birds in one park...awesome! And the funny thing...bald eagles are associated with American...ospreys are associated with Canada! Do you think the birds knew this when they were choosing their nesting spots?
The British camp also had a beautiful garden that we were able to walk through...the floral scent was abundant...almost over powering!
Now...all day...I had promised the children we would have ice cream. I was determined to follow through with this plan. However, we had to be back in line for the ferry to the main land. Well, I had finally figured out the system...as long as our vehicle was parked in the ferry line...we could go to the ice cream shop not far away.
I took Sean and Edward with me....Henry stayed with the van as Zaira was sleeping by this time. The ice cream was set up to enter one door and exit the other side. We picked our flavors and as we waited I was to pay...that is when I found out that this shop only took cash! NO!!!! I only had change...and little of that...but I knew Henry had money in his wallet. The woman at the counter allowed Sean and Edward to leave (with the cones) to bring back the wallet. She was very patient with me...especially since Henry was still short $2 to pay the bill. I jokingly offered her a book of stamps...I really had nothing to give! She finally gave in and let me leave...I guess we got a discount...thankful yet humbly embarrassed we left quickly! SO...if you are ever on San Juan Islands go to the ice cream shop by the ferry...they will have my business if I ever go again! I did actually have a very good ice cream...Lavender Honey....yummy!
We made it on the last ferry off the island and were exhausted...I had no problem keeping children close as they were very tired. AND hungry! We needed something a little more substantial than ice cream to make it back to the house. We found a restaurant on the main land. Then we were back on the road...praying that I could stay awake to get us back. We finally arrived after midnight...what an amazing yet tiring day!!!!
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