Two RV Gypsies: Full-Time RVers
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The two RV Gypsies visited
the Port of Anacortes and
Cap Santa Marina
in Washington state.
July 7, 2015

Before reaching the Port of Anacortes, the two RV Gypsies stopped at an overlook, but the only thing they could see was the big tree stump in the parking lot, and a lot of trees and brush blocking the view from the overlook.

Anacortes sign

Below: The tree stump is a Douglas Fir from Olympic Forest. It was 970 years old, 242-feet tall and was moved to this spot in 1964. The two RV Gypsies were disappointed that the overlook was over-grown with trees and bushes.

stump of a big Douglas Fir

trees blocking the overlook view

Then the two RV Gypsies drove Washington Park Loop Road and stopped several times to take photographs. It was a small road one way loop and had places to park and enjoy the view.

log

beach

Lee Duquette

scenery

scenery

sign about Green Point and keeping it green

scenery

scenery

Anacortes

sign about south bluffs preservation

port of Anacortes

scenery

Havekost Monument sign

Havekost Monument

The two RV Gypsies spent the day in Anacortes.

Port of Anacortes sign

Anacortes is a city in Skagit County, Washington, on Fidalgo Island. The City has 15.53 square miles of which 11.75 square miles is land and 3.78 square miles is water. The name "Anacortes" is a consolidation of the name Anna Curtis, who was the wife of early Fidalgo Island settler Amos Bowman. Anacortes was officially incorporated on May 19, 1891.

plaque for Annie Curtis statue

A two-sided piece of art titled Annie Curtis.

Annie Curtis statue

Annie Curtis statue

sign: Seafarers' Memorial Park

Lady of the Sea plaque

The Lady of the Sea statue is dedicated to those who work and play in the sea, and the families and friends who wait for them.

Lady of the Sea stateue

Lady of the Sea stateue

Seafarers Monument shown below remembers the 14 crew members of two fishing boats that sank in the bearing strait, and others lost at sea.

Seafarers Momument

The two RV Gypsies saw the whale watching boat at Cap Sante Marina. Since they have done several whale watching tours, they did not book this boat, and were glad because in their opinion, it does not have proper space for walking around the boat to get better views of the whales. They are not discouraging others about booking this boat; this post is just a reminder to themselves should they return to this area.

Cap Sante Marina flag

whale watching boat

The two RV Gypsies were surprised when they drove by a truck with a replica of a boat on it. The sign said "Capt. Bill & Adelaide Kasch ran the 1st mail and passenger service to the San Juans, 1900."

Cap Sante Marina sign

truck and boat

Below: A beautiful, elegant broad-leaved evergreen, 30 - 70 feet tall, Pacific Madrone tree famous for it's smooth, reddish brown trunk, it's large evergreen leaves and small red berries. This native tree often grows on dry bluffs and poor soil, and the trunk often bends at graceful angles. It is superb as a single tree or in drifts. Madrone does best in a south or west exposure, well drained. Do not over-water or fertilize. This northwest native tree is nearly impossible to survive when dug in the wild.

Beginning in March through June, this particular specimen, Arbutus Menziesii is so valued in the local landscape. The red, smooth bark in combination with the dark green of the leaves and the whiteness of the blossom is absolutely stunning. As the flowers are spent, red and orange and yellow fruit, usually in the same cluster, appear and by autumn are mature.

In June or July, new leaves emerge in a vivid green as the old leaves turn a rich red and gradually fall. These leaves are a wonder in themselves. They are shiny and very green on top, much paler on the underside, hairy when young.

Native Americans ate the fruits of the Madrone uncooked. The wood is quite dense, making it difficult to work except by the skillful carpenter. Mexican caberellos were known to make their spurs from this wood because of the hardness and the beautiful color. A curious natural deer repellent is produced during the time when the leaves are young and attractive to our forest friends. A liquid containing reduced sugars is secreted just at the tip of the leaf bud which attracts ants and flies. The presence of these insects renders those succulent leaves unpalatable to deer.

Pacific Madrone tree

This park is located on the outskirts of Anacortes, Washington with great views of the San Juan Islands, Cap Sante Marina, Anacortes refineries and the bay. It is located at the end of Cap Sante Peninsula with a small parking lot and numerous boulders to climb on to get 360 views of the area.

panorama and Karen Duquette

View of the downtown and marina of Anacortes, from the east.

View of the downtown and marina of Anacortes, from the east.

View of the downtown and marina of Anacortes, from the east.

View of the downtown and marina of Anacortes, from the east.

View of the downtown and marina of Anacortes, from the east.

View of the downtown and marina of Anacortes, from the east.

View of the downtown and marina of Anacortes, from the east.

view from the park

big boulders to climb on

The two RV Gypsies had fun climbing on the boulders and enjoying the view.

The two RV Gypsies have fun climbing on the boulders

Lee Duquette enjoying the view

Lee Duquette on the boulders

Karen Duquette on the boulders

boulders

Lee Duquette

Lee Duquette

a great view

ferry coming into Port Anacortes

boat leaving Port Anacortes

boat leaving Port Anacortes

Karen Duquette at Port Anacortes

Anthony's Restaurant at Cap Sante is located in the heart of downtown Anacortes at the Port of Anacortes Cap Sante Marina. The restaurant has a scenic waterfront setting ideal for viewing the activities of the commercial fishing fleet as well as recreational boating. It had two outside decks; one of which was covered with a fireplace, ideal for year round outdoor dining. 1207 1 Avenue, Anacortes, Washington.

Anthony's Restaurant
Anthony's Restaurant

The two RV Gypsies wanted to sit outside, but were told they would not get service there. So they sat by the bar. The waitress walked by them several times ignoring them, and once she even repositioned the nearby bar stools but never acknowledged the two RV Gypsies. A man at the table next to the two RV Gypsies even said he had told the waitress that the people next to him (meaning the two RV Gypsies) had been there about 20 minutes without service. Lee mentioned it to one of the bar tenders and he said he would send someone over but didn't. Finally Karen got the attention of the waitress and she came over and said she was sorry she was so busy. REALLY? What was that bit about repositioning the bar stools instead of waiting on people?

Anyway, Lee ordered a hamburger rare and of course it came out medium well. But he ate it anyway. Karen had a spinach avocado and cheese dip that she liked. Below is the view the two RV Gypsies had while they ate, but it was through a glass window. The photo was actually taken later as they walked outside the restaurant.

go back to the Washington menu Please return to the main menu for the state of Washington to view other areas the two RV Gypsies visited in Washington in 2015, plus a link to their adventures in Canada.