Driftwood Days

We spent several days on Whidbey Island, parked in Rocky Point Recreation Area - a great spot near Oak Harbor. It's actually on NAS land (Naval Air Station), but they allow others to use it ($7 for military, $8 for us.) What a deal! The spaces are huge and within sight of the Strait of Juan De Fuca and walking distance to the beach. If you're interested in a cheap and scenic campground, the coordinates are 48.32172, -122.69814. No hookups, of course, but they have a dump with water. We heard rumors that they might close it, so call the Gallery Golf course to check first.

We were lucky to be in Oak Harbor during their annual Driftwood Days. What a hoot! Groups of people get together and build imaginative things out of anything they find on the beach. They create their masterpieces at low tide, the judges award prizes, then the creations are washed away by the incoming tide.

I liked this one because the youngsters put a lot of detail in it. They had decorative seaweed, pieces of driftwood for cups and plates, and seashell hors d'oeuvres. Also they were cute kids.


This one is hard to see, but it's a giant octopus which has captured these kids who played it up, yelling for help. I liked the interactivity.


This very solid looking boat had the coolest figurehead on the prow. I do have to wonder if they cheated and brought it with them. What are the chances that they found it that day?


And look at this gorgeous starfish. I would give them 'best use of material' with all the rocks and green touches.


Another great boat. I swear this one looked like it should float.


But my very favorite was this Loch Ness monster because they used the water as part of their creation. That was brave. In fact right after I took this picture, the head fell down. Luckily the judging was over.


As you can see, there is plenty of driftwood available for the contest.