Family Time on Camano Island

Camano Island is a large island in Possession Sound, a section of Puget Sound. It is part of Island County, Washington, and is located between Whidbey Island and the mainland (Snohomish County) by the Saratoga Passage to the west and Port Susan and Davis Slough to the east. This is where Karen has family we like to visit whenever we are in the Northwest.

The island has one road connection to the mainland, via State Route 532 over the Camano Gateway Bridge at the northeast end of the island, connecting to the city of Stanwood. The island has a total area of 39.77 square miles, making it one of the largest in the state of Washington.

Karen's cousins Creigh and Rick Agnew have a beach cabin that the extended family has enjoyed over the years, and many gather together in the summer time for holidays like the 4th of July and Labor Day. The Agnews bought a home up the hill from the beach and are now living on the island full-time.

The beach cabin is a wonderful place to stay and visit. It is right on the Saratoga Passage and offers a 180º view of the water and the Cascade Mountains to the east. On a clear day you get incredible views of Mount Baker to the northeast and Mount Rainer to the southeast. The Agnews own the neighboring property to the south and store many of the water toys, boat and Personal Water Craft (PWC) on that lot. It is where we park our RV when we come to visit. We get the privilege of our rear picture window facing the majestic scenery to the east.

We are so fortunate and appreciative of their hospitality and fellowship whenever we've asked to park by the beach cabin. Thursday, On August 29 we arrived around 12:30 PM and pulled into the space provided next to the water toys. Rick was working at their new home up the hill and Creigh came down to meet us. We set up and later drove up to Creigh and Rick's new home for the tour. Their new permanent residence is at the top of the hill above the beach cabin with an even more spectacular view to the east.

It is a beautiful home conveniently located near shopping and other resources, but in an ideal rural setting.

Thursday evening we all returned to the beach cabin to enjoy barbecued steaks, baked potatoes, corn on the cob and a fresh salad. Creigh kept on insisting it was a simple meal, but honestly it was another excellent feast at the beach cabin. Emmett, their eldest son came by to spend some time with all of us. He also lives on the island, just south of the beach cabin on his 1.75 acre "gentleman's farm", as the family refers to it.

Karen and I were only been here a little over 24 hours and already reached our total relaxed mode. Over the long weekend we're looking forward to seeing some of the other local cousins to enjoy quality time with extended family. Emmett took the small boat out on Thursday night and set two crab pots out; on Friday he recovered the traps with 4 Dungeness Crab for a future dinner.

Friday night some of the local Iverson Beach neighbors came over for dinner and a rousing game of Bingo. During the day I've been continuing the exterior cleaning, waxing and maintenance projects on the trailer. Karen has been working on the inside cleaning. There's plenty of time to do these projects as well as read, nap and generally relax between visiting and working.