Day 22, 22 June 2015

97 Visitors

Harbor Seal Checking us Out (Drew Took the Photo)

The morning was cool and overcast as we yawned awake. Another yummy scone breakfast with fruit and chai tea got me ready for today’s tours. The Japanese tour bus showed up at it’s usual Monday morning time of 9 am and it’s occupants were crawling all over the island, many with their selfie sticks taking pictures of everything. Fred got the quad ready to take over Drew and Cathy’s stuff since they would be leaving today after sunset. WAHHH! We have enjoyed their company and will be sorry to see them leave. As Fred used the quad he was photographed by the Japanese tourists and they were delighted to see a keeper at work – HA! Drew and Cathy took off to set up their popup camper which they had stashed at a local campground and took a walk on the jetty before the tide came in and join us for the afternoon. Leon and Terrie showed up and off to work we went with Terrie on the 2^nd floor, Fred in the gift store and Leon on the first floor and myself in the tower. The tour groups weren’t so big and we had good timing with no confusion, which made it run smoothly. We went from 10 to 2 pm non-stop but at a nice pace. Near the end I had a very nice lady (Brenda) show up with her little Yorkie service dog (Lady). What a nice surprise to see the little pup coming up the ladder in her mom’s arms. I offered to take her so mom could climb up unhindered and be safer. Lady was very good and just a little nervous till she was back in mom’s arms again. This is the 2^nd service dog we have had during our duty. I gave the tour to Brenda and another lady and she was very fascinated with the tour I gave and very nice. I took a picture of Brenda and Lady with their permission and she took a picture of me. One more group of 4 after them and we were done for the day.

Brenda and Her Service Dog Lady

Good thing since my sore foot was really aching from standing so much and the hike from the day before. At last we could have some lunch and we all found leftovers and various things to eat. I finally got an ice pack on my throbbing foot. I then took a nap since I was very tired after the busy tours. As I laid down upstairs the pain in my foot was annoying but it finally calmed down and I got 10 minutes in for a nap. I got up to see where everyone was. The afternoon was nice and sunny with a cool breeze. I walked around and checked out some waves hitting the rocks and saw Fred and Cathy in another area looking at the blowhole I found when we first got here. It was breezy and cool in some areas and still and warm in other areas out of the wind.  I thought about starting to paint my sketch but decided not to with our friends here. It would be nice to spend more time with them. I walked down to the isthmus to poke around there and saw where Fred had weed whacked some areas that Dottie had requested to be done. The areas looked real nice. He also cleaned the tower windows.  I came back and explored some more and settled down in a favorite spot down in the rock cliffs and just relaxed and looked out at the ocean hoping for whales to swim by. No whales, but there were a few fishing boats and kayakers about. It was nice to just do nothing and soak in the bucolic scenery. I saw Drew coming down and waved at him. He took a turn and found a nice little spot to enjoy and relax. After a bit I wandered back up and found Fred and Cathy wandering around also. We all gathered near the top of the cliffs and just sat around talking and enjoying the day. After a bit I went in to start some red velvet cupcakes and we tried out a beer that Drew had brought for happy hour. The cupcakes were in the oven and I went back outside to keep enjoying the afternoon.

Fred Cleaning the Outside Tower Windows

The cupcakes were done and cooling and everyone came back in and Cathy and Drew starting preparing the fish tacos they were going to make for dinner. I made the frosting/filling for the cupcakes and squirted the stuff in and on the cakes. The taco fixings were then all ready and we built our own tacos with grilled rockfish, avocado, mango, salsa, cabbage and cheese. We also had black beans and yellow rice, which completed the meal perfectly. After we stuffed ourselves, I was able to ice pack and elevate my sore foot for 20 minutes, which really seemed to make it feel better. We went outside to watch the sunset and look at St. George and enjoy our cupcakes. There were no clouds in the sky and the great orange orb settled quickly, painting the ocean with shards of orange and yellow. We snapped some photos and then it was time for Drew and Cathy leave to go to their campsite. We walked them over to their truck and gave hugs goodbye. We walked back to see the lighthouse lit up with the floodlights and the beacon turning on for her 3.5 seconds. We were sad to see our friends leave and it seemed a bit quiet now in the house without them, not that they were noisy – HA!

Fred built a fire in the bedroom and we relaxed up there staying up too late trying to catch up on blogs and other web business. Sleepiness came at last and off to dreamland it was with pillows of red velvet and blankets of yellow rice to lure our tummies and senses onto a snug little island with a bright little light that blinked on and off into the murky and starless night.

Fish Tacos, Rice and Beans - Yummy!