Oak Harbor

Now we come to my dad's childhood home. The place where I was baptized one summer, and one of the most beautiful places on earth. I have actually only been there a handful of times in my life, because we lived so far away, but I feel like it is in my blood.

Wednesday morning we drove to Mukilteo and took the ferry Whidbey Island. Driving up onto a boat to sail across was great fun for the kids.  JB and I did it on our trip 10 years ago to see my grandparents.  (Now they are both gone, and I was sad a little when we drove by their old home with its new owners.)

Exploring the ferry:

Fort Ebey State Park on the way north/east up the island:

Oak Harbor has a newly renovated beach front park. It used to be called City Beach, now it is officially known as Windjammer Park I think. We ate pizza at the tables then explored the shore for driftwood and more sea life.

It would have been more fun it it wasn't cold and windy and off-and-on drizzly. The boys didn't mind, but Millie was v v sad.

See her blond hair peaking out below?

In Oak Harbor is a small WW2 Navy display. My grandpa served in the Navy in the war, so this I felt was important to share with my children. And I am glad they were interested.  We saw a PBY-Catalina up close.

I felt a connection to my grandpa in Oak Harbor, and I like building those family connections across generations. I think it builds pride in your family, and connection to the past.

We ate and played a bunch at McDonalds because of the covered play-place and WiFi for JB (when you are self-employed, you don't get paid vacation days. Home loans need attention sometimes!)  Then we headed to Fort Casey State Park where we were going to camp overnight. That deserves its own post, coming up next.