#open seas

This is a fascinating picture because it's such a unique sight to see. It's a great summation of Oak Harbor, in general, because of the diversity of what you're seeing. Oak Harbor has so many different people, from all over the world, with different cultures and beliefs, because of the Naval Air Station here. I love how we all live in peace and harmony together here!! ❤️

In the distance, you can see the gorgeous Cascade Mountains.

In front of that, you can see a circular, nipple topped building that contains radar for the Naval aircraft. There a naval officer's housing development surrounding that building. When I first arrived here on Pearl Harbor Day in 1982, I stayed in those quarters. I wasn't in the Navy, but a friend let us stay with them, until we got a house. It was a learning experience to live on a Naval base, that's for sure 😁😁🏡 but that's a story for a different post...

In front of that, you can see a lovely marina, with phenomenal boats of all sizes and shapes and colors!!

Then, there's Oak Harbor Bay, which is part of the Saratoga Passage, which is a branch of the Puget Sound. The Passage runs between Whidbey Island and Camano Island. You can see humpback whales and orcas here a lot of the time!! And seals are everywhere!! The salmon run here, too!! It's a phenomenal waterway!!

And finally, there is City Beach on the shore of downtown Oak Harbor. That's where Petey and I went today. It was great!!

To left of all of this is a branch of the Skagit Valley College and the public library.

To the right are beautiful waterfront homes and open water straight ahead... there's so much to see just in this one photo!! I can't wait to show you the rest of my island!!! ❤️❤️😁😁🏡🥳🎊🎉🌞🌈🐕🫂🫂🎶🙏🏼

“Well I'm on the downeaster "Alexa"

And I'm cruising through Block Island Sound

I have charted a course to the Vineyard

But tonight I am Nantucket bound

We took on diesel back in Montauk yesterday

Left this morning from the bell in Gardiner's Bay

Like all the locals here I've had to sell my home

I was tagged by @reneesbooks! Thank you!

Have something from Open Seas:

Jakub had a sword in one hand, and was tracing patterns in the air with the other. Glittering green trails formed as his fingers danced. He made a pushing motion, and the pattern seemed to catch fire and shoot towards The Glory. It collided with one of her sails and combusted. “Jakub’s a sorcerer?” Tess demanded. Sorcerers were innate magic users who required no training and were exceedingly rare. “Did no one mention that?” Thana asked. Tess didn’t answer. Jakub hurled another glowing pattern at a member of Barros’ crew, this one crackling like lightning, and the slaver collapsed mid-stride.

Tess is bamboozled.

DOWN BY THE BAY © 2025 – G. Smith (BMI) ==================== Morning under the palm trees, Breakers down the beach. The last stars fading away, Just barely out of reach. The sun clears the horizon, Clouds break before the dawn. Blue skies, nothing but blue skies, A hot one’s coming on.

I walk along the high tide line, Soft sand and broken shells; Then out along the pier, Warming wood and fresh fish smells. I find my spot and bait a hook, Wait to make my cast. Another day like the one before, And the weeks before just past.

Down by the bay, Looking out at open seas; Watching the sun climb high, Tasting the salty breeze. Another day in paradise. Another day, brand new, Full of the same old same old – Getting over you; Full of the same old same old – Getting over you.

I break for lunch and find some shade, Tired of feeding the sharks. Take a pull of a once cold one, Watching the water go dark. Squalls out on the Gulf Stream; Pack things up and put them away; Head back to the shoreline, Time to call it a day.

Down by the bay, Looking out at open seas; Watching the moon climb high, Tasting the salty breeze. Another day in paradise, Coming to an end; And when tomorrow rises up, I’ll get up and do it again, again. And when tomorrow rises up, I’ll get up and do it again.

This level reach of blue is not my sea; Here are sweet waters, pretty in the sun, Whose quiet ripples meet obediently A marked and measured line, one after one. This is no sea of mine. that humbly laves Untroubled sands, spread glittering and warm. I have a need of wilder, crueler waves; They sicken of the calm, who knew the storm.

So let a love beat over me again, Loosing its million desperate breakers wide; Sudden and terrible to rise and wane; Roaring the heavens apart; a reckless tide That casts upon the heart, as it recedes, Splinters and spars and dripping, salty weeds.