Just when you think you know a place, it surprises you. That’s the way we feel after a wonderful month on Whidbey, where we’ve been volunteering at Admiralty Head Lighthouse at Fort Casey Historical State Park. Here are some of the best lessons learned.

Got mussels? We love the shellfish from Penn Cove, especially the mussels. This year, we followed the sage advice from a local and bought our supply from Toby’s Tavern in Coupeville. Yes, you can eat them there in that historic spot on the water, but Toby’s also sells mussels by the pound. Inspired by something she saw on Instagram, Leslie simmered one batch in beer and kimchi from Britt’s Fermented Foods located on the island. Add a few slices of bread from Little Red Hen Bakery and you’ve got the perfect Whidbey Island meal.

Orchard Kitchen: We enjoyed a spectacular meal at this destination restaurant near Langley a couple years ago, so when Leslie saw chef Vincent offering cooking classes, she jumped on board. During an excellent deep dive into shellfish preparation, she picked up so many incredible tips and met some fun fellow food enthusiasts.  Read more in her story on Forbes.com.

Lighthouse trivia: While visitors soak up all sorts of knowledge from the dedicated volunteer docents at this historic spot at Fort Casey, sometimes, we learn something new from those visitors. For instance, during a recent shift, a retired member of the military shared with us that the lighthouse is still used by some subs as a visual marker when entering the Strait of Juan de Fuca. We also learned there are 31 steps up to the lantern room and 128 steps to the restroom in the woods, thanks to some diligent counters.

Sea lion watch: After dinner, we usually take a walk on the bluff to drink in the magnificent views. Lately, we’ve had company in the form of a “raft” of sea lions seemingly drifting just off shore, sometimes popping their heads out of the water. When they roll to the side and raise a flipper, it’s almost as if they’re saying hi. A little research surfaced some fun titles to explore including one called “Sea Lions in the Navy.”

A scary trip to the ER:  Early on this stay, Leslie woke up with swollen glands and was advised by the nurse line to seek medical attention immediately. Yikes! Fortunately, we aren’t far from the Whidbey Health’s hospital in Coupeville and the issue was quickly addressed, a prescription for antibiotics ordered. It took a couple of weeks to recover from a bout of salivary gland stones. Ouch! And what the heck? We’ll mark this a lesson in taking good care of yourself and enjoy every minute when you’re feeling healthy.

Routine RV maintenance: Again, you’d think we’d know better by now, but a few weeks into our stay, Leslie asked how the supply of propane was holding up. It’d been fairly cold, so it shouldn’t have been a shocker that we were nearly out. A bummer to have to unhook and go searching for a fuel source. We found one not far from the park, but once again, after that Homer Simpson DOH! moment, the importance of monitoring various pieces of equipment and fuel was driven home.

Check us out online

We’re posting photo updates on Facebook (Facebook.com/goingmobiletravel) and Instagram (Instagram.com/goingmobiletravel). You’ll also find all of our content at Spokesman.com/going-mobile, along with stories from our globetrotting buddy Dan Webster.  Dan recently posted about a nostalgic trip to Florence.  

 

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