Autumn 2009 PNW Blue Bird Retreat at Hoodsport, WA!

[mbulriss]

Jo-ski is having some email problems and asked us to post the following for her and the Pacific Northwest Blue Birds - Mike

----- Original Message -----

From: Jo-Ski

To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Tuesday, August 18, 2009 4:52 PM

Subject: Autumn 2009 PNW Blue Bird Retreat at Hoodsport, WA!

oANNOUNCING THE 2009AUTUMN PNW BLUE BIRD RETREAT AT HOODSPORT, WA! ALL BLUE BIRDERS WELCOME!o
Hi, folks!

Time to get ready for the Pacific Northwest Blue Birds' annual fall retreat (the 5th!) at Hoodsport, WA, along the beautiful Hood Canal!

Dates: September 25-27, 2009
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.restawhi le.com/ (check out the photos on the home page for
an idea of the area's breathtaking natural beauty)

IMPORTANT: to make arrangements, please note. . .As always, the campground has asked that you please use me as your contact person (instead of each person calling them individually). I've reserved 13 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 'cuz the campground can still get busy at that time of year! Please e-mail josl@...as soon as you can firm up your plans. Also, please CC: stewie14@...on your e-mail.

As always, if we get 10 or more Birds, the generous owners host and personally cook up a free oyster barbecue (fresh from the campground's private oyster beds along the canal) for us on Saturday afternoon. We'll also enjoy our traditional Saturday night potluck and what has now also become a tradition (as well asa wholelot of giggles)--the Saturday evening "white elephant" gala. With each passing year, the "gifts" seem to get crazier, funnier, and more creative!

More Details for Those Not Familiar with Our Hoodsport Retreats

As in all past years, we'll have the spots directly overlooking the water (yippee!), facing thegorgeous Hood Canal. The campsites are about 30 feet from water's edge, with full power (30-amp and--new as of last year, 50-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 now 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 being 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 very nice wine-tastings. There's also a neat little area withcharming 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?!

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

Hope to see you there!

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