Island Senior: Field Trip Friday

Island senior is a regular column on the San Juan Update written by Peggy Sue McRae…

At the Mullis Center the third Friday of the month is Field Trip Friday with Callie McKay. I joined the fun this month for an off-island day trip to the Skagit County Senior Center in Burlington followed by a visit to the Skagit County Historical Museum in LaConner. The trip including ferry fare is only $15. We bought our own lunches, donuts, ice cream, and antiques.

Skagit Valley Daffodils – Peggy Sue McRae photo

Leaving my car safe and convenient at the Mullis Center, riding the van onto the ferry, and parking right next to the elevator are a just few conveniences I have come to appreciate when traveling with the Mullis Center. Our driver, the entertaining and accommodating Callie McKay plus nine passengers made for a convivial crew as we set out on what turned out to be a brilliant spring day. The Salish Sea sparkled and the Skagit Valley was beaming with cherry blossoms, snow geese and daffodils.

Enjoying Burlington’s Hugo Accordian Band – Peggy Sue McRae photo

We arrived for lunch at the Senior Center in Burlington to the music of the Hugo Accordian Band composed of five accordion players and a drummer. Hugo Helmer was a popular Accordian Band leader in the 40s and two members of the band in Burlington played in an original Hugo Helmer band. The theme was St Patrick’s Day and we were invited to sing along with Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral and a few other popular Irish tunes.

Woodworking Exhibit at Skagit Valley Historical Museum – Peggy Sue McRae photo

After lunch we set out to LaConner. Half of our crew jumped ship to shop antiques while the rest of us continued on to the Skagit County Historical Museum. The museum has a small but impressive collection of Northwest Coast Native artifacts. Those, we were not allowed to photograph. There was an exhibit of Mexican culture in Skagit Valley, antique cars, and the main exhibit, “Old Time Tools and New Fangled Furniture: Woodworking… A Process”. We enjoyed the artistic woodwork as well as the view of the valley from the main exhibit room.

Leaving La Conner our trip coordinator made sure that everyone’s ice cream needs were met and we were off again to catch our return ferry, a four o’clock boat that didn’t actually leave Anacortes until six. That’s island life. With friendly companions and fine spring weather the extra wait passed easily.

Next Month’s Field Trip Friday is scheduled for April 20 and will take in the downtown Mt Vernon Street Fair plus tulip viewing. If you’d like to join the excursion call the Mullis Center at 360-378-2677 for info and reservations.

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