Orcas Island

I met my brother and the crew at the Seattle airport and we headed north.  After picking up my bike in Anacortes, we took the ferry to Orcas Island and found our rental house. Soon after we arrived, we were greeted by a mama otter with her two babies running over our deck and through the Japanese-style gardens around the house. I grabbed my camera then Laurel (age 7) and I took after them. The tables were soon turned when we realized they were not shy at all and they came after us chittering loudly.  Laurel and I safely escaped but it was clear we were on the otter's turf.  At first Matt (age 17) and Russell (age 13) did not believe Laurel and I but when the otters wouldn't leave Frank (age 49) alone as he was unloading the car, they relented. After a few hours the babies and mom were reunited and they made their way back down to the beach.

Yesterday I went on my first bike ride. Apart from the bike shop having set my bike seat being seat about 5 inches too high, the ride felt great. Today I rode up Mt Constitution in Moran State Park here on the island. It involved a 2400' climb in about 6 miles. For those not familiar with biking, that's a lot.  For the first time I had to get off and walk for part of the way.  At the top I was greeted by a view of fog. On the way down (which took about a tenth of the time getting up took) I was so cold I had to stop to warm up my hands.  It was still a lot of fun.

Now I am back in the house, cleaned and fed but tired. Time for a nap.