We put our house on the market last Monday and then packed up the car with ourselves, our tot and our dog and headed out to Orcas Island. We figured it would be easier on us to get out of the picture as agents and lookers descended upon our house. And we hadn’t had a vacation since….I don’t know when. We all needed it. We just got back.
It was an amazing week. Some photos:
taken on hike on Turtleback Mountain
Orcas Island is our favorite place to visit. There is something magical there for us. We step off the ferry and we instantly slow down. Relax. Breathe.
at the lake at the base of Mount Constitution
After Noah would go to bed after a day of hiking, running around, exploring, we would sit out on the porch of the cottage we rented. I watched the stars pop out one by one. We would talk and talk until I got too cold to sit out there. Or we’d sit and read. Enjoying the silence.
Silence. Quiet. One of the gifts from the island. It was so nice to not have the computer. I could have turned on the t.v., but chose not to. I often turn to the t.v. as a noise companion. But here, I wanted to listen to the Quiet. The Quiet which includes the loud buzzing of the bees, the whirr of a hummingbird’s flight, the caw of the crows, the wind through the trees.
This week allowed me to recenter and reconnect. Be in my thoughts without outside demands or distractions.
Orcas Island has been a place of creative inspiration for me. I need that place of quiet to draw upon when I create. I am lucky to have found a place like that.
I hope I can keep the calm with me as the next two weeks are going to be very very hectic. It is very easy for me to get stressed out, so not banking on it. But I will try my best!
noah, 17 months, always on the go
Hopefully in the not too far distant future, this will once again go back to my art journal with art posts. Orcas Island is very relevant though to my creative process and so here it belongs in my art journal.
“In the sweet territory of silence we touch the mystery. It’s the place of reflection and contemplation, and it’s the place where we can connect with the deep knowing, to the deep wisdom way.” ~Angeles Arrien
Orcas Island indeed sounds like a really magical place. I love how you described that you watched the stars pop out one by one. So beautiful.
Good luck with your house sale, I hope that all goes well for you and your family.
Beautiful pics! Glad you had such a wonderful time 🙂 We will be going to Whidbey Island for a week in August. We were there once before in the winter for about 4 days a while back. It will be nice to be there for an entire week in the summer! Looking forward to seeing more of your amazing art in the future.
What a magical time & place. Silence is such an underrated pleasure. I love the capital Q for quiet. The pagan in me (lol!) feels that Quiet is a good God.
🙂 Love, Debi
But your writing is art too. So, Just because you haven’t posted a painting or journal page, I certainly do not feel any less deprived as I enjoy listening to your thoughts.
Now I feel that I must travel to this Ocra Islands to see if I feel the same magic that you do.
It’s been a while since I saw a picture of Noah. He is growing up so tall!
Best of luck selling your house.
Sounds like just what the doctor ordered. I hope you are able to keep these magical feelings with you for a long time to come.
That seat, on that porch has your name on it! If things get too much, close your eyse & take yourself back there, back to those stars!
Thank you azirca for the well wishes. The island is magical!
Hi artbeth! Have fun at Whidbey Island! It will definitely be a different experience in the summertime.
I agree Debi. I love how you put that.
Thanks Paula! That is kind of you to say. I feel deprived though right now with not doing art!! 🙂
Thank mizkatie. yes, he is growing like crazy. He keep me on my toes constantly.
I hope so too, seth. I worry about that. But it will always be there for me.
Thanks Jo. I will keep your words in mind for sure. 🙂