Rockin’ A Tricky Spot | All aboard for my major, publish-jab Rock experience

By Harry Anderson

Spring’s budding out everywhere you go, my arm’s been jabbed twice with Moderna vaccine and Island County has moved into Period A few. So last 7 days, I was all set for an adventure over and above lockdown – masked and at a secure distance, of class.

I resolved to do some thing I had been dreaming up for two years: Consider an Island Transit bus from Oak Harbor to the Clinton Ferry Dock, enjoy the scenery and make a number of stops together way to stroll and have a snack. In other phrases, act like a vacationer for a working day on this Rock the place I stay.

I have been on Whidbey for pretty much 12 several years but like so several Rock dwellers, I experienced never boarded an Island Transit bus – even while I pay out taxes to help them and they really do not cost fares. At 9 a.m., I boarded the No. 1 Southbound bus at Harbor Station in Oak Harbor. I arrived at the ferry dock six several hours afterwards, obtaining stopped in in between for small visits in Coupeville, Greenbank, South Whidbey State Park, Freeland and Bayview.

Below are my transient notes on what turned out to be an insightful journey.

Oak Harbor: I’m early at the bus cease on a dank, drizzly morning. The metropolis has a standoffish, timid emotion. No person makes eye speak to as they bustle earlier me. To go some time, I take a quiet stroll together the wonderful Bayshore waterfront walkway and that sets a good tone for the working day. I board a bus that is very well accommodated for a pandemic masked travellers enter and exit from the rear doorway only and each and every other row is blocked. As I gaze out the window, I’m struck by how substantially of Oak Harbor is paved, not eco-friendly.

We go the Walmart-Safeway complicated and I am reminded of that Joni Mitchell lyric: “They paved paradise and set up a parking lot.”

Coupeville: Immediately after a quick 25-moment journey, I soar off and wander to the wharf. I acquire a coffee at Espresso on the Cove and chat with its proprietor Loretta Beaman. She tells me how astonishingly occupied this historic vacationer city has been lately. Tons of people are having working day outings (just as I am) to get some fresh air. As I wander again to the bus stop, I see site visitors strolling Front Avenue even at 9:45 a.m., peeking in store home windows and hoping in vain to discover a little something open.

Greenbank: I hop off at Smugglers Cove Highway and choose a 2-mile hike close to what were being when the lush loganberry fields of Greenbank Farm. I stroll down previous the buildings and detect how considerably the harm the pandemic has accomplished the legendary barn’s not in use, the artwork outlets and some other firms are long gone.

But fortunately the cheese shop, the wine store and café are however open up. A few new businesses are ramping up, and the ducks nevertheless swim in the pond.

South Whidbey Condition Park: The bus drops me ideal at the entrance of a park I had never ever frequented considering that relocating to the Rock. I had read about its previous development trees and lots of climbing trails, and I was not unhappy.

Even although a selection of people today had been there using walks and eating, it was divinely quiet with only a choir of birds singing. Not a Navy jet could be listened to.

As I stroll a forest path, the sunshine breaks by way of the clouds and I get started to value how this extraordinary pure beauty experienced greeted these Euro-Us citizens who arrived on the Rock in the mid-19th Century.

Freeland: The quick ride from the tranquil condition park quickly jolts me back again to actuality. Freeland has grow to be an urban sprawl. It also has turn out to be the Wall Road of Whidbey with banking institutions in all places. I felt my muscle tissue develop tense nearly as a lot as they do when I vacation to The usa. Much too a lot busy-ness heading on. I could hardly wait to get back on the bus.

Bayview: I leap off at the park-and-experience and stroll down to the Bayview Farm and Garden nursery. Bayview is the properly-liked back garden spot on our Rock and it has the ideal farmers current market every summer months.

Just going for walks among the vegetation, bouquets and veggie begins refreshes my state of brain. I linger for a latte and a scone at the Flower Café next door. My heart is at rest.

Clinton: It’s effortless to neglect that Clinton has some of the most effective see residences on Whidbey, well off the highway, producing it one of the most effective areas to dwell on this island. But you would not know it as you experience by means of town to the ferry dock, with the Dairy Queen, bars and car heaps. It looks like Mukilteo West. At the dock. I take some time to stroll around and appreciate the awesome, 180-diploma perspective from Mount Baker and Camano to Edmonds. No surprise the seagulls adore to sit on the fence there.

As I experienced house on the Northbound #1 bus, I include up a couple factors I acquired on my journey. Loads of new households are getting designed on our Rock but for the most aspect they are properly positioned on significant parcels surrounded by trees they signify the dreams of new arrivals just as a lot as the 100-12 months-previous farm properties and barns around them characterize the desires of all those who came right before.

The Rock is continue to typically rural. It is acquired great heritage and scenery almost everywhere, and it gives just more than enough major town positive aspects to draw in fantastic new individuals and tons of travellers to aid the economy.

Last but not least, I was really amazed by Island Transit. The buses have been on time, each and every time. The drivers had been experienced and welcoming the travellers were being unfailingly polite, reported howdy when boarding and thank you when leaving.

It manufactured me remember a slogan that Greyhound Bus Lines made use of in promotion back again in the 1950s: “It’s this kind of a convenience to get the bus and depart the driving to us.” Immediately after my journey with Island Transit, I imagine they should to use it, too.