Just 5 More Minutes

Hubby, B and I awoke Thanksgiving morning to awe inspiring gale-force winds that literally shook the Airstream like a maple leaf being torn from its tree. The Doe Bay Resort retreat tearfully was at a seasonal transition to winter destinations. We were both honored and grateful to be their guests for one of the most memorable times in our lives. I don’t think there is one particular highlight one can single out about Doe Bay. It is the synchronicity between all its moving parts. The spectacular coastline exposure, inspiring views, hot pools, sauna, yoga facilities and classes, the culinary artistry at the Cafe, and most importantly, its friends and family. We will miss you dearly, Doe Bay. Thank you for the incredible, life changing experience. Heaven on Earth this is. xoxo.

We now slowly make our way back to the mainland. Our very last stop in the San Juan Islands is Lopez Island. Odlin County Park, to be specific. To celebrate Thanksgiving. A simple meal prepared on our Airstream. Just the three of us.

Here we are in the Orcas Island ferry line on that stormy morning. What a peculiar sight! No one here but us . . .

Orcas Island Ferry Line Thanksgiving 2011

Orcas Island Inter Island Ferry to Lopez

Odlin County Park, Lopez Island

The ferry you see in the distance, stopped to enjoy the view of our Christmas tree and our silver, shiny Airstream as well, I am sure . . .

Thanksgiving on Lopez Island, Odlin County Park, WA State

Wishing everyone a safe, happy and healthy holiday season.

Sunrise on Orcas Island – Doe Bay Resort

Sunrise at Doe Bay Resort, Orcas Island

Taking in the early chilly morning . . .

Beautiful Doe Bay

Yoga with Luca and a breathtaking view . . . .

Doe Bay Yoga with Luca

Pathways to serenity . . .

When you are hungry, the Doe Bay Cafe will surely please. An organic, “seed-to-table,” menu is absolutely incredible.

Chef Jon Chapelle working his magic . . .

Doe Bay Cafe

There is also breakfast at the Doe Bay Cafe . . .

Doe Bay Cafe Breakfast

To relax your body and mind — the Doe Bay soaking tubs and sauna . . .

Doe Bay Soaking Tubs

Doe Bay Camp Sites

Doe Bay offers cozy, comfortable cabins with sweeping views . . .

Cozy Cabins at Doe Bay

The garden is amazing and provides the Doe Bay Cafe with a plethora of fresh, organic ingredients.

Doe Bay Garden

For us, it was all done Airstream style . . .

B was writing a letter. But not just any letter. This letter was special. This letter was “magical with its possibilities.” It was going to be put inside of a bottle and set adrift out to sea.

“Do you think it will go to Japan?” B asked me as he looked up from his letter. “Possibly . . .” I said smiling at him. I was in the Airstream kitchen preparing a turkey sandwich for lunch that would have a sweet and tart cranberry sauce layer over some cream cheese, oh and sunflower seeds too. I put down my spatula and went over to him.

“Wherever this bottle shall land, it was meant to be. Maybe it will float all the way to Japan or maybe it will float over to Lopez Island. Maybe it will float all the way to Australia and land on the beautiful white sand beaches and along the way, maybe your bottle will experience dark and scary ocean storms and float up and down over super high waves. Maybe it will become a friend of a fish, or a big whale or maybe it will just float along and be warm from the shining sun. Whoever finds it, I think will feel so lucky too. Would you be excited if you found a message in a bottle?”

B sat there looking at me with his eyes big and wide. He quietly resumed working on his letter being extra careful with the spelling of his words and making sure everything was perfect.

“Do you like it mommy?” he proudly lifted up his letter to show me. “It’s perfect!” and I meant it. It was the perfect letter, ever.

“Now, let’s go for a walk and set your bottle out to sea . . .”

Doe Bay Resort and Bradley's Message in a Bottle

The bottle was launched. B picked a spot, aimed for it and was happy with the outcome. It landed with a big splash and began to slowly float it’s way out to sea. I took out my zoon lens on my camera and took about 100 pictures of the bottle slowly floating away . . .

“Now we wait,” I said. We watched the bottle bob up and down and work it’s way out to sea and then decided it was time to go. Afterall, we did have a turkey sandwich waiting for us in the Airstream kitchen.

Turkey and Cranberry Sandwich

Rustic bread, some arugula, thick cut organic turkey and my very own cranberry sauce. Don’t forget the cream cheese and a sprinkle of sunflower seeds (we love the roasted and salted on our sandwiches).

If you would like the recipe for my cranberry sauce you can find it here. I made this when we had our very first Airstream Thanksgiving Dinner. Which, by the way, we are going to have again. I love celebrating Thanksgiving in our Airstream in the San Juan Islands and using all the local and fresh ingredients the island farms have to offer.

Could you ever imagine a more peaceful place on earth? This is the garden at Doe Bay on Orcas Island. Our Airstream is very nearby and one morning B and I awoke to the most beautiful sound. The sound that we heard was angelic in nature and it was very distant. We were curious so we decided to go for a walk and see where it was coming from.

We approached this sign . . .

The music was coming from here. From the garden. They play beautiful music for their vegetables and flowers. Everyone was happy here and the sun was shining. We were warm. Happy. Relaxed.

B was in awe with the Black Star hens . . .

Doe Bay Garden, Orcas Island

Every single little baby sprout is meticuloulsy taken care of here. Every. Little. One.

Doe Bay Garden, Orcas Island

Heather is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to gardening and taking care of the hens. She has taught B how to collect the eggs and keep track of them as well as givng me some great pointers to use in my own garden come next summer (can hardly wait!).

Doe Bay Garden, Orcas Island