Another day, another walk around town

I'm sure liking this so-called winter we're having.  Sure, it's a bit chilly and frosty in the mornings, and some days it barely gets above freezing.  But the clear sunny days!  I'll take it.  I want to take advantage of them as much as possible and get out for walks.

Today I wandered downtown again - it's always nice by the water (though if you do the walk often enough it's a bit dull).  I stopped into a couple of shops in hope of finding some good tea, but no.  I'll just have to make a stop at the Skagit Valley Food Co-op for that.  I'm in search of a couple more caffeine free teas to drink in the evening, instead of wine.

I should mention that I've gone one week without drinking any alcohol.  Woohoo!  I'm feeling better already, and if I keep this up AND walk as much as possible I should be able to fit into those clothes that got a bit squeezy!  It will take a bit of work, however.  But with more days like today, that will make it a lot easier!

Anyhow, here's a few things I saw on the walk today...

Oh dear.  Nothing good could have come from the consumption of this rum in the park gazebo.



It got better after that though.  The low angle afternoon sun made some great shadows.



The birds were busy everywhere, but this lot were trying to settle down on the log.  The were noisy as get-out chattering at each other and flying here and there.  But they were trying.



The days are getting longer, but the sun still goes down pretty early.  The ducks were enjoying the golden glow on the water.




What a beautiful day!  And another is expected tomorrow.

Cheers!

sNOw

Can you see it?



Look hard!

It didn't last very long - just a few flakes and then it was gone.  Nothing to get exciting about, though rumor has it there could be a bit more overnight.  Not looking very promising, however.

Of greater interest is the clandestine, forbidden romance meeting I stumbled upon today while walking through town...



Oh my!

I also saw some ancient technology.  It doesn't get anymore exciting than this, kids.

Pig Roast!

Yes folks, it's that time again here in lovely Oak Harbor - the annual block party and pig roast.  We missed the last two, as we were trapped at the Coupeville Arts & Crafts Festival running the music stage - but not this year!  Two years was enough.  We wanted our freedom to attend any old local fest and we got it!  So to the pig roast we went...



Mmmmmmm... look at all of that pork!  This was one of many cookers roasting madly away to cook enough pork for the greedy festival attendees.  We were glad to arrive early!  The line wasn't too long and there was still enough food - last year they ran out, apparently.  Added 500 pounds of pork this year.

The good people of Oak Harbor love a free meal.  They solicit donations to cover the costs, with extra going to local charities.  But payment is not required.  We paid, we're not cads.

The best part of the event is the sampling and voting in the BBQ competition.  There weren't as many entries this year as the last time we made it, but they were good.  I'll be curious to see who wins.  We voted for the Oak Harbor Tavern entry, in honor of Syd who could not attend the pig roast due to obvious conflicts between his nose, mouth, and behavior.  They had a damn good vinegar sauce for their pork.  Maybe not the best plain, but the vinegar sauce was soooooooo good!



On the topic of dogs... why do people bring their dogs to events like this?  They're no doubt overwhelmed by the crowds, hot, and tempted by the tantalizing pork smells.  It's madness!!!  We will never torment Syd in such a way as this.  It doesn't seem fun at all for the dogs.

New this year was a chalk art competition on Pioneer, down the hill from the pig roast.  It looked like a bit of a failure - poor guy sitting at a table with tonnes of chalk and pretty much nobody participating.  There was this though -




Syd approves.  He always approves when there is any mention of food involved.

Can you blame him?

There is still one reminder of the pig roast lingering on downtown... three days later and this poor deflated sap is still stuck littering up downtown.  Typical...