The day started out with a scrumptious breakfast at the B&B and then we headed out to our next destination...Orca Island. Orca Island takes about 45 minutes to get to by ferry from Friday Harbor but the time fly by as there is so much to see. We sat by a local lady on the ferry and she shared the gossip and tales of several of the islands we passed by. It was interesting to hear stories from a local's point of view.
Once on the island, we headed over to Moran State Park and hiked around. We headed straight up to Mount Constitution where we could get a bird's eye view of the islands. It was quite impressive. There was a large tower we could climb so we headed up and got some great scenic shots up there. After that adventure, we headed back down we came across one of the most beautiful and serene waterfalls I have ever seen, called Cascade Falls. It wasn't huge or rushing like some we've seen on this trip but it was tranquil and tucked back into a canyon that no one seemed to travel down. People could be seen overhead looking down into the canyon at the fall but when we got to the bottom, it was quiet and our own little paradise. We took several photos and hung out for quite a while down there and then headed back up to our next destination.
Our 4:00 "surprise" destination time was approaching so we headed out to do a little shopping. Orca Islands are known for their artisians so we popped into a couple of shops and found a few treasures. A little bird's nest was a fun purchase after I found a little heart to put inside the nest, making it a Love Nest...get it? (tee hee) and we also found some wonderful little glazed pottery tea cups for our green tea that we love to drink. The artist had put finger impressions into the pieces and each one had it's own feel. Dave and I tried them out and each found our perfect one that our thumbs fit in nicely. A quick stop for ice cream in waffle cones, shots of flowers in the ice cream park and off we headed for the "surprise of a lifetime" as Dave so lovingly called my next surprise.
We drive a short distance and it looks as if Dave has made a wrong turn and will make a turnabout in the airport parking lot but wait, no, we are heading towards a small hanger. Holy Shit!!!! is all I could manage to say. I actually think I was in shock for about ten minutes. We meet our pilot who kindly snaps some photos by and around the small, three person biplane in we go. It's a tight fit and I am glad that I haven't put on any additional pounds at this point (other than the ones I HAVE put on). Dave goes in first and has a nice, protective side of the airplane to lean into but I am subject to no side and a great fall if I happen to lean out too far. Strapped in, helmets and goggles on, camera straps wrapped tightly around our wrists. The pilot does some checks to see if we can hear him through our headsets and we give him the thumbs up to head out. Down the runway he races and then up he climbs, well over 1,000 feet above the islands. I get tears in my eyes thinking about the man sitting next to me and how much he must love me to go to the lengths he has gone to continually surprise me. The smile doesn't leave his face and those shiny white teeth of his are all I can see when I look at him. He squeezes my right knee, beaming with happiness the whole time.
As we glide above the islands, our pilot narrating for us, I can't believe how lucky I am to have met this man 22 years ago. I have to give some credit to my cousin Chris for introducing him to me, possibly the best thing anyone has ever done for me...other than this plane ride.
0 comments:
Post a Comment