Announcing the 2007 PNW Blue Bird Retreat at Hoodsport, WA!

[Jo-Ski]

ANNOUNCING THE 2007 PNW BLUE BIRD RETREAT AT HOODSPORT, WA! ALL BLUE BIRDERS
WELCOME!

Hi, folks!

It's that time of year again! So many in our group love this quaint little
campground hugging the beautiful Hood Canal that we're going for another retreat
this year!

Last year we had a wonderful flock of maybe 12-13 Blue Birders, if I remember
correctly, from not only Washington
State, but also Oregon, Wisconsin, and BC, Canada. If we get 10 or more Birds,
the owner hosts a free oyster
barbecue for us on Saturday afternoon. What with the holidays not far behind,
besides the coach tours and our
traditional Saturday night potluck, I think we will make our Saturday evening
"white elephant" gala a tradition again this year. Last year's "white elephant"
was a riot!

Anyway, here are the full details, and we hope you're gonna be just lovin' it!

Dates: Oct. 19-21, 2007
Campground: Rest-A-While RV Resort, Marina, and Dive Center
27001 N US Highway 101
Hoodsport WA 98548
(360) 877-9474
Toll Free: (866) 637-9474
Website: http://www.restawhile.com/ (check out the photos on the home page for
an idea of the area's natural beauty)

Please note: Again, the campground has asked that you use me as your contact
person instead of each person calling them individually. I've reserved 12 spots,
but more are probably available if we want them. Only about 30 spots
along the water, so please let me know ASAP if you're in! Please e-mail
josl@....

Like last year, we will have the spots right along the water (yippee!), facing
the beautiful Hood Canal. The campsites are about 30 feet from water's edge,
with full power (30-amp)/water-sewer hook-ups plus cable TV. Right in front of
you at water's edge is a private oystering/clamming beach run by the campground
(originally seeded with Pacific Oysters from Japan--quite a change from what is
carried in a lot of markets, and they're just scrumptious). We have reserved a
nice little clubhouse a few steps away for things like the Saturday evening
potluck in case of inclement weather, and we also have a fire pit plus a
facility with Internet connection capabilities; they also have wireless
connection.

As many of you may know, this "canal" is really a natural channel, not a
man-made canal--a historical glitch in interpreting the exploratory maps/notes
resulted in "channel" being mistakenly identified as "canal" and hence, the
current nomenclature. According the campground brochure, Hood Canal is actually
one of the only two glacier-carved fjords in the lower U.S. (the other being in
Maine), with most of the world's fjords in Norway. You'll find the natural
beauty of Hood Canal just spectacular!

We're hoping the area's year-round resident Orca pod might be visiting the canal
when we're there. In years past, the pod has sometimes given the campground a
grand show in the
canal for several weeks (photos on their Website). So,we have the possibility of
our own whale-watching extravaganza just yards from where we're camped! Also,
according to the Dive Center at the resort, some of the world's largest octopi
have been photographed in the canal.

For you wine buffs, the Hoodsport Winery is just a few miles down the road and
hosts wine-tastings. There's also a neat little area with great shops and
galleries.

Just think of it--camping right on the water, natural beauty, possible Orca
sightings, and, as always, plenty of good
Bird-talk and camaraderie! Does that sound great, or what?!

COME ONE, COME ALL FROM EVERYWHERE! IT'S GONNA BE ANOTHER GREAT RETREAT WITH A
SWELL BUNCH OF PNW BIRDERS AND, WE HOPE, FRIENDS OLD AND NEW!

Hope to see you there!

Jo-Ski (and Stew)
"The Bird Abides"
'83-FC 35 RB
Blaine, WA

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