Rural Architecture in Friday Harbor

Rural Architecture in Friday Harbor

Wednesday, May 14, 7:00pm-9:00pm

The Mullis House

The Town of Friday Harbor and the San Juan Historical Museum present a history talk by local historian and preservation architect, Boyd Pratt, entitled Paying Attention to the Ordinary: Friday Harbor’s Rural Architecture. This event takes place in the research center of the San Juan Historical Museum, 405 Price Street.

For more information go to: Historic Friday Harbor
email: sstrehlou@fridayharbor.org.
or call: 360.378.2810

Still More Things to do in Friday Harbor

Spring Street ~ Friday Harbor

I took my car in this morning for a tune up and ended up having time on my hands in town. Even without my list of 100 things to do in Friday Harbor I remained confident that I could figure out what to do. I had enough time to get a haircut, go bowling or even go up to the fitness club and go for a swim but I wasn't feeling quite that ambitious. It was a beautiful morning so first I went to the new bakery, Demeter's, on Nichols Street. If you have not been there yet I highly recommend it. I got a coffee and a cheesy pastry and sat outside on the porch. The baked goods are great, service friendly and with paintings by Joe Miller and ceramics by Paula West the artwork is the best.

Demeter's Cafe on Nichol's Street

Next, I decided to check out the new public restroom in Sunshine Alley. It is nice. It's roomy and clean. My only complaint, and it isn't much of a complaint, is that it would be really hard to wash your hair in those sinks. I notice things like that because when I lived on Lopez without running water and took the early boat to Friday Harbor to work I often washed my hair in the restroom on the ferry boat. The ferry handicap sink has a nice high spout which is perfect to stick your head under. The Sunshine alley restrooms have those heated blow driers. If you were homeless and it was cold out this would be the place to go. Plus, these restrooms are historic. The building was originally made out of Boede Cement blocks from the old Boede Pipe and Cement Company an early Island industry.

Sunshine Alley Public Restrooms

Next I bought an Elizabeth Gaskell novel and some cards at Griffin Bay Bookstore, some Amber Essence oil and a small hand mirror at Softwear and then I dropped into the Whale Museum. At the Whale Museum the big news is that J Pod is back. J pod appeared briefly after their winter migration but then they disappeared again. They are back and apparently they have a lot to say too. We have speakers at the Museum tuned into the underwater microphones on the west side. You can hear them too by linking to: Salish Sea hydrophone network. Also, the Center for Whale Research now has an Orcacam set up, link here: Orcacam. By the time I picked up my car J-Pod had moved on but it is good to know that they are back in the neighborhood.

J-14 Samish "my" whale ~ Whale Museum Photo

Jim McRae ~ 1920 -1975

Today is my Dad’s birthday. James Cameron McRae was born in Wolf Springs, Montana and moved with his family to San Juan Island in 1927. My Dad loved the Scottish poet Robert Burns, because of that, and because the poem fits him so well, I like to remember him with this Epitath by Burns.

Jim McRae at the Barnacle

On My Ever Honoured Father

O ye whose cheek the tear of pity stains,
Draw near with pious rev'rence, and attend!
Here lie the loving husband's dear remains,
The tender father, and the gen'rous friend;
The pitying heart that felt for human woe,
The dauntless heart that fear'd no human pride;
The friend of man-to vice alone a foe;
For 'ev'n his failings lean'd to virtue's side.

Robert Burns ~ 1784

Lady of the Sea ~ Portugal

And what a perfect segue to go from Marine Naturalist Training to this years Eurovision entry from Portugal? No one sings more passionately of love and tragedy and the sea than the Portuguese. So lets go back out to sea with Vania Fernades and Senhora do Mar/Lady of the Sea.

Portugal 2008 Eurovision

Vania Fernandes ~ Senhora do Mar

Lyrics English/Lady of the sea

Lady of the sea
Before you, I’m fallen
Who comes and takes half of life and peace
From this table, from this house, now lost?
Love, what’s happened with you?

Before you, my soul is empty
Who comes and takes what is mine?
Oh high sea, bring me
My endless love

Ah, black waters, waves of sorrow
They froze the fire in my eyes (Lady of the sea)
He’s not sailing anymore (He’s not sailing anymore)
And nobody sees you crying
Lady of the sea

Who comes and takes half of life and peace
From this table, from this house, now lost?
Love, what’s happened with you?

Ah, black waters, waves of sorrow
They froze the fire in my eyes (Lady of the sea)
Salty wounds, prayers in vane (Prayers in vane)
Let his heart (Let his heart)
Beat next to me (Beat next to me)

Ah, black waters, waves of sorrow
They froze the fire in my eyes (Lady of the sea)
He’s not sailing anymore (He’s not sailing anymore)
And nobody sees you crying (And nobody sees you crying)
Lady of the sea (Lady of the sea)

Marine Naturalists Aboard the Western Prince

Congratulations Everybody!

Marine Naturalists Aboard the Western Prince

The Marine Naturalist Training Program took its celebratory cruise on the Western Prince this morning. It was glorious on the water as we cruised North out of Friday Harbor passed Spieden and Stuart Islands. We saw Harbor and Dalls Porpoise, Harbor Seals, a Stellar Sea Lion, Bald Eagles and Purple Starfish. No whales were spotted, they have not been around lately, still I know I hardly minded. It was enough to be out on the water.

After the cruise we met at the Whale Museum for our graduation ceremony and I only regret that I neglected to get a photo of another one of Jenny's fabulous cakes. This one had blue frosting with the Orca Ruffles, aka J1, Spyhopping out of it. Congratulations everybody!

Purple Starfish on Stuart Island

Appendix: Here is the cake!

Jenny's Spyhop Cake

Week 5: Marine Naturalist Training

California Sea Lions

Today we completed our last Marine Naturalist Training day for the season. Starting off at the high school Amy Traxler gave an overview on Pinnipeds and how to tell the difference between sea lions and seals. I’m usually doing pretty good if I can tell a sea lion or a seal from a hunk of wood but I managed to identify my friend at South Beach as a California Sea Lion from the color and head shape something like a very big Chocolate Lab.

Tibetan Ancestors of Salish Woolly Dogs

Russel Barsh talked about pre-European agriculture in the Islands including Camas growing and processing and the development of reef net fishing. He touched on a favorite subject of mine, the Salish Woolly dogs. Last I knew they were thought to be extinct. According to genetic testing on Salish wool it turns out the Salish Woolly dogs are direct descendants of Tibetan Terriers and genetic cousins to Japanese Shiba Inu dogs and Alaskan Eskimo dogs.

Val Viers and Marine Naturalists in Training at the Lighthouse

After lunch we trekked out to the lighthouse at Lime Kiln Park where Val Viers played us samples of Orca Acoustics and Jeanne Hyde talked about Southern Resident Orca family groups. In the lighthouse we could hear the sounds of boat traffic through underwater microphones. It was like hearing a chainsaw every time a boat went by. At least with our opposable thumbs and a volume knob we could turn it down. Jeanne showed us family photos of our local Orca pods. We hope we might see them tomorrow when we go out on the boat to celebrate the completion of this Spring's Marine Naturalist Training for 2008.

Eurovision: a Jaunty Number From Denmark

Denmark 2008 Eurovision

Simon Mathew ~ All Night Long