Aug 092012
 

Today we are on the West Side of San Juan Island specifically at Lime Kiln State Park.   Comprised of 36 acres, Lime Kiln is considered one of the best places in the world to view whales from land.  I will tell you that it is spectacularly beautiful here.  Sweeping views of Haro Strait with the whale’s swimming gracefully through the waters will definitely take your breath away if not put a tear or two of emotional happiness in your eyes.

The lighthouse and park are both run on a voluntary basis thanks to the “Friends of Lime Kiln Society.”  Thanks to the society, the park and light house have remained in excellent condition.  It’s a wonderful thing don’t you think to see people volunteering their time, for free, to help preserve history?

When you come to Lime Kiln you can spend an entire day here.  Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy on one of many picnic benches scattered throughout the park and don’t forget your camera and binoculars.  It’s a beautiful place that you will remember forever.


~ a yogurt cake to end our beautiful day spent at Lime Kiln


~ Lime Kiln Lighthouse

Here is an INCREDIBLE video I found on YouTube that I would like to share with you.  YouTube user has taken over 20 years of footage from Lime Kiln State Park and has created this incredible video.  You may want to have a tissue ready – very emotional and beautiful!


View Larger Map

If you are interested in the whale population and would like to learn more, these are fabulous resources:

http://www.orcaconservancy.org
http://www.whaleresearch.com/orca_ID.html

Yogurt Cake

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup non-fat Greek yogurt
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest

Directions

Step 1
Preheat oven to 350°F and butter a bundt pan
Step 2
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt
Step 3
In a separate bowl, mix together yogurt, sugar, eggs, oil and lemon zest
Step 4
Whisk flour mixture into yogurt mixture just until blended
Step 5
Pour the batter into the buttered bundt pan and bake for approximately 45 minutes, or until your cake is golden brown on top.
Step 6
Let your cake cool if you can wait and garnish with berries or in my case I used fresh currants. Dust with powdered sugar

 

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  6 Responses to “A Whale of a Tale”

  1. It was wonderful seeing Ruffles again, J-1, in the video. We used to live on Mt. Dallas and could watch them from our deck. Being a novice, the only whale I could ever ID was Ruffles and I saw him often. He is greatly missed.

    • Wow, you are really good. I admire the people who can identify the Orcas from one another. I’m curious to learn more about Ruffles. Thank you for mentioning him. Someone told me the story about “Onyx,” that touched me so. You probably already know but his mother died and left him abandoned and another “mother” from another pod “adopted,” him. Such sweet stories that come from these magical beings. It really touched my heart that another mother whale took him under her wing.

  2. By the way, you got some FANTASTIC whale photos. My pictures are usually of the smooth ocean. Missed those whales every time!

    • Oh thank you for that but I won’t tell you how many I had to snap to get the ones that I did, lol. They are very, very difficult to photograph — you never know where they will pop up again right?! I was really really hoping I could get a spy hop or breach shot but I guess I have be around a lot more or just be lucky to get those. When hubby and B were on island and I was back on the mainland at work, they would call me full of excitement sharing with me that the whales were spy hopping and breaching off South Beach. Imagine! I was stuck at my desk at work and just so envious I was not there, lol! Perhaps next year or in the fall. xoxo

  3. I just discovered your blog today and I am so happy I did. It is absolutely gorgeous,I’m blown away by your photos and recipes and stories. I’ve been out of commission for a while with Lyme disease so you totally brightened my day. I’ve already booked a couple trips to the Islands for some camper time ! Thank you for sharing your exceptional talent !

    • I’m smiling right now that I was able to brighten your day. Thank you for your sweet, kind and inspiring words. A friend of mine suffers from LD and I am so sorry to hear that you too are suffering from it. Ugh. Stay strong, healthy and happy. I’m sure your visit to the Islands will help!! xoxo

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