As published in The Florida Villager
Well, at least you will feel far, far away from the lights of Miami. Camano Island, which is situated between Whidbey Island and the mainland of Washington State, is a gem I found that gave me back my serenity that had gotten lost in the city. With its 56 miles of beaches, quaint inns and the laid back charm of the locals; I can see why the island’s slogan is “The shortest distance to far away.”
If you are looking for hustle, bustle and mucho activities, this is not the place for you. There is nothing here other than reflection time, solitude and nature. Speaking of which, my few days on the island started with check in at Camano Island Inn. I drove up to a very quaint looking inn with shingle siding and river rock. Once inside I was swept away into Nirvana. The foyer led into the small dining room with wood floors and a huge river rock fireplace. The smells wafting from the kitchen made me realize I had not eaten since early that morning. I was shown to my room, which had its own deck and a hot tub overlooking the Saratoga Passage and the beach below. My room was spacious and inviting with a canopied king bed. Like I said, Nirvana.
Dinner was at 6:oo so I quickly changed and made my way to the dining room. The award-winning chef outdid himself that night. I was so impressed that such a small inn would offer up such a menu and the quality and presentation was that of New York’s finest. A glass of wine in hand, I made my way back to my deck and took in the quiet of the night.
The next morning’s breakfast was equally as good as the meal the night before. Note to self: walk the beach this afternoon. There was so much I wanted to do in my few days there so off I went to Iverson Spit Water Front Preserve. It’s a little off the beaten path but well worth it. There are one mile trail loops, bird watching and of course my favorite, beach combing.
Canopy Tours NW was next on the agenda and as always when it comes to zip lining, I want to stay longer than I can. I understand their nighttime zip lining in October is to die for.
As Pooh would say, there was a “rumbly in my tumbly” so I was off to Camano Island Marketplace. This is a place where there is everything you need and don’t need but want anyway. There is a butcher shop, a French patisserie where I picked up a Raspberry Maple Oat Scone, Camano Island Coffee Roasters that has the best coffee ever, local artisan wares and eclectic décor just made it all that much more whimsical. There were old, wooden, glass panes dangling from the ceiling, an old white refrigerator that housed jars of jams and jellies and a red gas pump sitting in the corner. I can see why this isn’t just a marketplace but a gathering place for the Camano locals as well.
Absolutely not to be missed is Matzke Art Gallery and Sculpture Park. Nestled among the trees is a 10-acre, magical world of stone, glass, wood, metal and bronze installations. You don’t want to rush through this so please devote at least a couple of hours.
My last night there I finally meandered down the grass covered walkway, past a Buddha to the beach. There was crispness to the air as I walked with only my thoughts. I passed a swing someone had fashioned with rope and a board and came upon a rock in the sand shaped like a heart. I picked it up and continued my journey until I spotted a clump of driftwood. I made a wish and gently placed the heart inside. Just as I turned around, a whale in the distance breached and then all was still again as I made my way back down the beach.