Lopez Island

August 2 - 14, 2010

Secluded camping

  "Why did you buy an Airstream?" we are often asked. The Tin Pickle has given us far more pleasure than we ever planned or hoped for, but the underlying reason why we have it at all starts with Lopez Island.

This visit marks the first time we have slept on the land we've owned and walked on for over 25 years. The change of location feels different, but our home among the trees is cozy and restful.

The parental homestead

Bart and I have been coming to Lopez Island, Washington every summer for decades. On our honeymoon in 1983, we bought a piece of land just uphill and adjoining the property where Bart's parents live. Bart has been visiting this piece of land since he was a teenager. Our roots here go deep and we love the island.

Until now, our visits have been based in Bart's parents guest house. It sits next to the main house that we helped them build in 1982.

Guest house exterior on the new deck

Now that Bart's parents are getting older, it is time for us to relinquish the guest house so that it can be available for use by someone who can help more often around the house and land than we have been able to. The old guest house structure is getting a facelift and some remodeling to make it useful for more extensive occupation.

Part of the wooded path up to the Pickle

We've had a lot of wonderful summers staying right next door to the kids' grandparents. The space allowed us to include our niece and nephews as well. Jolly times were had by all.

Now the kids are grown and visits happen in smaller groups. One nephew is pictured here (far right, above), helping with the remodeling project.

Lunch under the cedars

Rather than spending our annual visits occupying the house living room, it is time to start making use of our own place. Some years ago we had put in a well and power and a driveway with a level parking area. A trailer made sense. Airstreams last and we planned to hold on to our trailer for a long time.

We enjoy having our own home away from home where we can be the host now and then.

Approaching the bay our land looks down on

We initially thought that we would park the trailer on the land as a cottage. It soon became apparent that, first, she needed too much work to be parked permanently and, second, she was too useful for taking other places.

So now the Tin Pickle rides the ferry with us when we visit the island and then follows us home for more adventures when we leave.

Morning sun on the ferry deck

Clear skies in Seattle