#8: That Was a Good One

Walk

I regularly walk the bluff above the Port Angeles harbor looking out across the water to the island in the distance. It is only twenty-six miles away but feels much farther. The Coho, our much beloved ferry that for over sixty years makes the trek across the Salish Sea to Vancouver Island BC, sits moored. Waiting, waiting, waiting…

The blast of its horn was my pre-COVID clock. Down the hill to the waterfront trail and on to the ferry for a 90-minute crossing. It was easier for me to go to Victoria BC than Seattle and I loved saying that I could “walk” to Canada. Now I hear the perfect fifth of its horn only when the ship makes a short trek around our harbor and when it does the local FB groups light-up with comments.

Did you hear it? Music to my ears. I miss it so much. Have you heard when…if…it will run again? Oh, I hope it makes it through.

I see the ferry and the island and hope hope hope that the all-clear will sound again and that I’ll step off to walk in another country… past Parliament, the Provincial Museum, The Empress, up the street to Murchie’s for a tea and scone elevenses—my version of a happy hour—next door to the creaking wood floors of Munroe’s Books to peruse the stacks, a happy meander up and down side streets popping in little shops and second-hand stores for treasures, a late lunch at a favorite vegetarian restaurant, around neighborhoods to see Victorians with sweet gardens, up the hill to the art gallery…and always a visit to the statue of Emily Carr before I “walk” back home.

Today, my feet stay planted above the harbor. There are blackberry brambles everywhere and I stop to sample the berries. I pick one that comes off easily—no tugging with my fingers. The ripe ones are plump, just past the shiny stage, and full of sweet juice.

Ahhh…that was a good one.

I will return to pick more to freeze for baking throughout the year and come home with hands stained purple like a merit badge.

My merit badge hand captured by Andrew Scrivani.