We moved on to the Guemes Island Resort, owned by our son-in-law, Mark Linnemann this past Sunday. Thanks to his generosity we will be living comfortably with a magnificent view of Mount Baker as we look east each morning.

Our home for the next week is special. It is a deluxe cabin built by our son, Brian. It features a beautiful kitchen, bedroom, living room and steam bath in the shower area. There is a private deck with hot tub in the back surrounded by trees. We are making good use of that already.

The remainder of the resort is somewhat difficult to describe. It offers rustic two-bedroom ocean front cabins, modernized cabins like ours, two large homes for extended families , and it even offers one “tiny house” for rent. And, if you are a camper there are yurts to rent with nearby bath and shower facilities. This is an awesome place for family gatherings, fishing, hiking, kayaking,    biking, clamming and more.

This is the kind of place where you go to “chill” — read a book, get off the grid, have some quiet time for yourself, leave the stress of work or other obligations behind. Try it, you’ll like it. http://www.guemesislandresort.com

Monday morning we decided to get off Guemes and the Fidalgo Islands for a scenic drive over Deception Pass to Whidbey Island. We traveled Hyway 20 through Oak Harbor and eventually visited the small historic town of Coupeville. Worthwhile. Fun time.

One of the investments you have to make when living on Guemes Island is the $136 senior discount auto pass which gets you 20 trips to Guemes by ferry boat. Then, there is the $40 senior walk-on pass for 25 trips. After that investment you have to learn the ferry departure times and the nuances. For instance, Tuesday morning we were surprised by the long line of cars departing Guemes. We got in line at 9:49am and we missed the 10am ferry. We got on the 10:25am arriving Anacortes at 10:40am. So, its not a good idea to be in a hurry to anywhere at anytime. Remember…..just chill.

Sandy has volunteered to work at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church rummage sale gathering and organizing items. After 4 hours work she is allowed to “rummage” before the general public. If you know Sandy you know she is motivated by a good bargain. I think she volunteered so that she can bargain shop for Brian, Kelly and Kerry.

I have volunteered to join Kris and Kelly as coach of an Anacortes Little League team. Two of the twelve players on the team are my two seven year old grandsons, Teo and Sebastian. We had our first one-hour practice Thursday night. This team has moved up from T-Ball to machine pitch. All twelve players had a chance to bat off of a pitching machine for the first time ever. I believe one kid hit the ball in play. If it doesn’t rain next week we have two one-hour practices to get our “Purple Ravens” ready for the first game.