how can I be more like the river
let it go
to sit in the river and feel it pushing past me
i can't help but to be changed
for the molecules of my skin to tingle with the fresh water
with the pullin of the stream
I lower myself amongst the big rounded river rocks, let me legs float
like buoys to the top of the water
in the corner of the river where the fallen trees have slowed the motion
I look out at the beauty to feel so small amongst the pines
I love the San Juan Islands. My favorite is Lopez, after taking a bike camping trip many years ago. It's the perfect blend of rural quiet island life and the quintessential small town center. I returned last year, and while it's expanded still had the same sweet energy. I've already planned a return trip for this year in August. A few weeks ago, I explored a different island, Shaw, for the first time. I've been curious for years about Shaw Island. The words used to describe it to me were desolate and nuns. A friend reminded me about Shaw Island last summer. They stay on Lopez and day-tripped to the island to ride the sleepy roads and then head back to Lopez. I didn't venture last summer but decided to make it happen this year. I booked three nights because it's a journey to get there. After a very long ferry ride that took me to Orcas Island and then back to Shaw, only one other car got off with me. I had arrived. It was magic. Driving off the ferry, one of the first things I saw was a shed of seeds and antiques. There's a monastery, library, one-room schoolhouse, historical society, and one store at the ferry dock. That's it. It was a magical and quiet few days except for an aggressive raccoon. I biked, kayaked, walked the beach, saw a seal + bald eagle, collected shells at low tide, and sewed by the fire at night. I can't wait to go back.
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| The seed shed! |
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| my campsite! |
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so many moments felt like I transported to Maine |
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| The little library with an amazing collection |
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| sewing on the beach |
