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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. |
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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. |
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The two RV Gypsies spent the day in Anacortes. |
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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. |
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A two-sided piece of art titled Annie Curtis. |
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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. |
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Seafarers Monument shown below remembers the 14 crew members of two fishing boats that sank in the bearing strait, and others lost at sea. |
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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. |
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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." |
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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. |
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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. |
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View of the downtown and marina of Anacortes, from the east. |
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The two RV Gypsies had fun climbing on the boulders and enjoying the view. |
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