You’ve seen her in the harbor here – she’s a beautiful ship, and they’re having a public sail this coming weeknd – here’s the notice:

Sail aboard The Adventuress on a three hour public sail from Friday Harbor dock. Members of Sound Experience sail for free, non-members, $40 for adults, $20 for kids 18 and under.  To register call Karen at 360-379-0438 or register online.

She's coming this way...

Even when poetry has a meaning, as it usually has, it may be inadvisable to draw it out… Perfect understanding will sometimes almost extinguish pleasure.
A. E. Housman

John Simon sent me this to share with you – it’s been around a bit, but it’s a good self-check for you:

You are from the Pacific Northwest if:

1. You know the state flower (Mildew).

2. You feel guilty throwing aluminum cans or paper in the trash.

3. Use the statement “sun break” and know what it means.

4. You know more than 10 ways to order coffee.

5. You know more people who own boats than air conditioners.

6. You feel overdressed wearing a suit to a nice restaurant.

7. You stand on a deserted corner in the rain waiting for the “Walk” signal.

8. You consider that, if it has no snow or has not recently erupted, it is not a real mountain.

9. You can taste the difference between Starbucks, Seattle’s Best, and Dutch Bros.

10. You know the difference between Chinook, Coho, Pink and Sockeye Salmon.

11. You know how to pronounce Sequim, Puyallup, Issaquah, Oregon, Yakima, and Willamette.

12. You consider swimming an indoor sport.

13. You can tell the difference between Japanese, Chinese and Thai food.

14. In winter, you go to work in the dark and come home in the dark, while only working eight-hour days.

15. You never go camping without waterproof matches and a poncho.

16. You are not fazed by “Today’s forecast: showers followed by rain,” and “Tomorrow’s forecast: rain followed by showers.”

17. You have no concept of humidity without precipitation.

18. You know that Boring is a town in Oregon and not just a state of mind.

19. You can point to at least two volcanoes, even if you cannot see through the cloud cover.

20. You notice that “The mountain is out” when it is a pretty day and you can actually see it.

21. You put on your shorts when the temperature gets above 50, but still wear your hiking boots and parka.

22. You switch to your sandals when it gets about 60, but keep the socks on.

23. You have actually used your mountain bike on a mountain.

24. You think people who use umbrellas are either wimps or tourists.

25. You buy new sunglasses every year, because you cannot find the old ones after such a long time.

26. You measure distance in hours.

27. You often switch from “heat” to “a/c” in the same day. If you even have a/c….

28. You design your kid’s Halloween costume to fit under a raincoat.

29. You know all the important seasons: Early Winter, Will-It-Never-End? Winter, Still Raining/Halibut (Spring), Road Construction/Albacore (Summer), Deer, Elk & Salmon (Fall).

30. You actually understand this humor and will probably forward it.

John Simon sent me this to share with you – it’s been around a bit, but it’s a good self-check for you:

You are from the Pacific Northwest if:

1. You know the state flower (Mildew).

2. You feel guilty throwing aluminum cans or paper in the trash.

3. Use the statement “sun break” and know what it means.

4. You know more than 10 ways to order coffee.

5. You know more people who own boats than air conditioners.

6. You feel overdressed wearing a suit to a nice restaurant.

7. You stand on a deserted corner in the rain waiting for the “Walk” signal.

8. You consider that, if it has no snow or has not recently erupted, it is not a real mountain.

9. You can taste the difference between Starbucks, Seattle’s Best, and Dutch Bros.

10. You know the difference between Chinook, Coho, Pink and Sockeye Salmon.

11. You know how to pronounce Sequim, Puyallup, Issaquah, Oregon, Yakima, and Willamette.

12. You consider swimming an indoor sport.

13. You can tell the difference between Japanese, Chinese and Thai food.

14. In winter, you go to work in the dark and come home in the dark, while only working eight-hour days.

15. You never go camping without waterproof matches and a poncho.

16. You are not fazed by “Today’s forecast: showers followed by rain,” and “Tomorrow’s forecast: rain followed by showers.”

17. You have no concept of humidity without precipitation.

18. You know that Boring is a town in Oregon and not just a state of mind.

19. You can point to at least two volcanoes, even if you cannot see through the cloud cover.

20. You notice that “The mountain is out” when it is a pretty day and you can actually see it.

21. You put on your shorts when the temperature gets above 50, but still wear your hiking boots and parka.

22. You switch to your sandals when it gets about 60, but keep the socks on.

23. You have actually used your mountain bike on a mountain.

24. You think people who use umbrellas are either wimps or tourists.

25. You buy new sunglasses every year, because you cannot find the old ones after such a long time.

26. You measure distance in hours.

27. You often switch from “heat” to “a/c” in the same day. If you even have a/c….

28. You design your kid’s Halloween costume to fit under a raincoat.

29. You know all the important seasons: Early Winter, Will-It-Never-End? Winter, Still Raining/Halibut (Spring), Road Construction/Albacore (Summer), Deer, Elk & Salmon (Fall).

30. You actually understand this humor and will probably forward it.

Rachel & Forrest

Yep, you counted right…Rachel & Brian Goodremont’s boy Forrest is nine weeks old already, and cheerful & smart, like his folks. They were all on their way to watch dad in the Triathalon in Coeur d’Alene this weekend when I saw them in the ferry line last night.

A poet can survive everything but a misprint.
Oscar Wilde

Everybody painted....

Over at Gallery San Juan (right across from the Market Chef), Barbara reports they had a great time Saturday night – people could paint while the Playrite Boys played, and see what they came up with. The show is called Rhythm & Art…she tells me everyone painted, and David King of Friday Harbor won $100 in “Artbucks.”

The show continues till July 9th, and then will be back by popular demand, which I’m guessing there will be.

David King (left, with Barbara) takes home $100 in Artbucks...

Frankie reports: "This is a photo (taken under permit) of a young whale we call "Ellie" in memory of Ellie Dorsey, the instigator of minke whale research in the San Juans back in the 1980s."

My friend Frankie Robertson was wondering if you see (or photograph!) a minke whale, if you wouldn’t mind letting her & her team know.

By the way, I’m not being mean by saying they’re stinky…ever left boccoli in the fridge for a week too long, and sniffed it? Probably said to yourself, “Is that broccoli, or has a minke been in here?” It’s like that.

The Northeast Pacific Minke Project is explained here, and you can help…here’s more from Frankie:

Not that big for a whale: Minke whales grow to a maximum length of 30ft and weight of 10 tons. Photo by Jon Stern.

This year we are sad to report that the minke project will not be in the San Juan Islands for the annual photo-id and foraging study.  Jon is tied up in sunny California while I have embarked on a PhD and will find myself deployed off on various marine mammal observer trips this summer.

However, we are very keen to receive your minke whale sightings and especially any photos that you may be lucky enough to get while out on the water this summer.  It would be great to know that some of the “regulars” (Jonny Rotten, Joan, Nick Jagger, Bubbleback) are still returning to feed around the islands and the banks.  Also it would be great to know if the two young whales we identified last summer have returned and also if there are any new young animals around.

So please please do send in your minke reports! We do receive the ORCANETWORK reports and the Whale Museum reports.  Aldo we still have sightings forms that we can send out and sightings can also be submitted online at www.northeastpacificminke.org

We hope that the 2009 season has begun well for you all, and we look forward to continued collaboration., and don’t forget about those busy little baleen whales… they may be slinky and often rather stinky but they are also pretty darn fascinating creatures that we are privileged to observe out here.

Cheers,
Jon, Rus and Frankie…
The Minke project

[email protected]

Frankie reports: "This is a photo (taken under permit) of a young whale we call "Ellie" in memory of Ellie Dorsey, the instigator of minke whale research in the San Juans back in the 1980s."

My friend Frankie Robertson was wondering if you see (or photograph!) a minke whale, if you wouldn’t mind letting her & her team know.

By the way, I’m not being mean by saying they’re stinky…ever left boccoli in the fridge for a week too long, and sniffed it? Probably said to yourself, “Is that broccoli, or has a minke been in here?” It’s like that.

The Northeast Pacific Minke Project is explained here, and you can help…here’s more from Frankie:

Not that big for a whale: Minke whales grow to a maximum length of 30ft and weight of 10 tons. Photo by Jon Stern.

This year we are sad to report that the minke project will not be in the San Juan Islands for the annual photo-id and foraging study.  Jon is tied up in sunny California while I have embarked on a PhD and will find myself deployed off on various marine mammal observer trips this summer.

However, we are very keen to receive your minke whale sightings and especially any photos that you may be lucky enough to get while out on the water this summer.  It would be great to know that some of the “regulars” (Jonny Rotten, Joan, Nick Jagger, Bubbleback) are still returning to feed around the islands and the banks.  Also it would be great to know if the two young whales we identified last summer have returned and also if there are any new young animals around.

So please please do send in your minke reports! We do receive the ORCANETWORK reports and the Whale Museum reports.  Aldo we still have sightings forms that we can send out and sightings can also be submitted online at www.northeastpacificminke.org

We hope that the 2009 season has begun well for you all, and we look forward to continued collaboration., and don’t forget about those busy little baleen whales… they may be slinky and often rather stinky but they are also pretty darn fascinating creatures that we are privileged to observe out here.

Cheers,
Jon, Rus and Frankie…
The Minke project

[email protected]

The natural world is the larger sacred community to which we all belong.
Thomas Berry

The kids jumping rope...well, kelp...out at South Beach

Just got this picture from Debbi Fincher as the kids had an end-of-year trip to South Beach:

Hi Ian!

I thought this was pretty cool – today some of the 3rd graders made their own “jump rope” out of bull kelp which had washed up with the tide. Some parents enjoyed an upper body work out as they turned the heavy kelp. The kids took
turns as they enjoyed the beautiful sunny day at South Beach.

Thanks!
Debbi

Eric says in his blog: "I’ll always remember Mona as the first camel to rest her head on my shoulder…"

You may have run into Eric Cheng on the island – he has a well-written blog in which he covers a lot of things, including his search for a replacement for Skype & his relationship with the island’s favorite camel, Mona.

Check it out – he’s fun. -oo-

Eric says in his blog: "I’ll always remember Mona as the first camel to rest her head on my shoulder…"

You may have run into Eric Cheng on the island – he has a well-written blog in which he covers a lot of things, including his search for a replacement for Skype & his relationship with the island’s favorite camel, Mona.

Check it out – he’s fun. -oo-

Abby marries Cody, as the sheriff conducts the ceremony....

You remember Abby Spann, our Island Rec recreation specialist who moved to Spokane last month?

Well, she & her fellow Cody got married about three weeks ago in Spokane, and officiating at the wedding was San Juan County Sheriff Bill Cumming. You see, when Abby came here a few years ago as an intern, she roomed with Bill & Maude, and they all became pretty good friends.

Congratulations, Abby & Cody! (And thanks to Patti at Island Rec for telling me all this!)

Abby marries Cody, as the sheriff conducts the ceremony....

You remember Abby Spann, our Island Rec recreation specialist who moved to Spokane last month?

Well, she & her fellow Cody got married about three weeks ago in Spokane, and officiating at the wedding was San Juan County Sheriff Bill Cumming. You see, when Abby came here a few years ago as an intern, she roomed with Bill & Maude, and they all became pretty good friends.

Congratulations, Abby & Cody! (And thanks to Patti at Island Rec for telling me all this!)

Fiona Noris from the San Juan Nature Institute announces:

Friday Harbor Elementary School Supports Young Naturalists: The Student Council at Friday Harbor Elementary School organized a fundraising drive to support San Juan Nature Institute’s Young Naturalist Classes. They sold environmentally friendly aluminum water bottles and raised more than $1,000. At the awards ceremony this morning (Tuesday) they presented a check to Fiona Norris, Science Director,  with a request Continue Reading