This was our 7th trip to Whidbey - the same unassuming cottage on the Keystone Spit near a ferry dock. While Michael in a crib & high chair on the Puget Sound, Jack was 4 or 5 months old in Deyang City, Sichuan.
Now look at 'em. Giles Bond behind.
Our love for this place was affirmed again, luring Tacoma locals and Camarillo visitors, as well. Gideon and Jack shared a table for breakfast cereal.
The children were old enough to really have fun at Fort Casey, the abandoned garrison nearby, matching our Piet Prins' "Scout" series, wartime stories of the Dutch resistance.
The sound of freedom. Hornet F-18s, top of the American fleet, practiced their deafening lift-off/landing exercises.
There were discoveries this time, like this story about Hokusai,
a prolific Japanese woodblock artist featured at the Coupeville library. A crazed genius by myth, a la Amadeus Mozart, his influence on the Impressionists animated Chris' bedtime reading:
Our library card was active, building a sense of return, as did local merchants recognizing the boys.
Also new, Michael and Jack took part in a theater workshop in Langley, a town with more shops and creative galleries, like this glass blowing hot shop, producing a beautiful red & yellow, swirling bowl and Jack's blue paperweight.
Michael made a table arrangement of beach findings,
leaving the jellyfish
and crab pincers behind.
Earlier in Tacoma, a magnificent lowtide at Titlow Beach invited clam, crab diggers and novice explorers.
while on Whidbey, attracting a rare afternoon visit by the resident bald eagle, no doubt hunting for prey.
Another discovery was participating in the Whidbey Children's Theater (forgive the poor quality!)
a high quality outfit celebrating its 30th year, with seasonal offerings, such as last year's Robin Hood. A musical rendition of Treasure Island doubled for M & J's camp theme. 
Lacking resources of higher cities, this community invests in low tech imaginative play and work for its young people.
Lacking resources of higher cities, this community invests in low tech imaginative play and work for its young people.
Jack lost 3 teeth this trip! A true Jack O'Lantern.
***
our favorite hike along the water overlooking the Olympics, with purple alfalfa in bloom.
kayaking!
watching the weekend cruise ships - floating hotels - and local ferry from Pt Townsend.
Mt Rainier came into view for July 4th
We had an unusually satisfying visit with Michelle, on her lovely organic farm on Vashon Island, with daughters Valencia and Annie - our inspiration for international adoption. Jerram Barrs introduced Michelle to gardening while at the English L'Abri.
A July of much time away sandwiching 10 days before our Swiss departure. We are packing and saying our good-byes to a variety of communities with a bittersweet air, as we've become attached to our church and school.
