June 19, 2015, Anacortes- The ferry brought me in to Bellingham, right on schedule.  Taking my sick camera to a Best Buy, in nearby Burlington, for shipment off to a fix-it shop, was my first priority.  While waiting for the store to open, I got some coffee and a muffin, and saw the horror we had missed, whilst aboard ship:  The Charleston Massacre.  I was numb, for a few minutes, then throw-the-book-at-him angry, that this should continue to happen, in the middle of 2015- the midmost heart of the second decade of the 21st Century.  Thought then took over- I had just been in a fairly isolated environment, with little interaction with anyone, for nearly two days.  There were, however, people of all “racial” groups aboard, and the crew was well-blended.  This reflects the Alaska of 2015, which ought to, in turn, reflect the America of this same year.  Yet, hearts don’t change.  People hold on to the most quotidian of symbols- a gun, an outmoded flag, as if these guarantee some sort of shield from a malevolent external force.  Perhaps, in a way, they do.  Does that mean, however, that these symbols may be used as malevolent forces of their own- and against people who have been NOTHING BUT LOVING to the individual who now attacks them?

I had to carry on, though, and did, choosing the comforting and picturesque ferry port of Anacortes, as a place to settle for one day, and just walk about, after a comforting nap at Holiday Motel.  It’s run by two of the nicest hoteliers I have encountered in the “lower 48”, though I have to say that, how I perceive people is usually how they end up being.

Anacortes has an old church, which is now for sale. Other denominations seem to be thriving, but not this Congregationalist parish.  Perhaps it moved over to the west side of town.

I wandered around the east harbour, where there is a skate park, a yacht club and several container vessels.  East Anacortes seems to be the more industrial part of town.

Street art seems to be everywhere, these days, and Anacortes has its fair share.  There is a Music Festival coming here soon.

I visited the Performing Arts Center’s grounds, after hours, and was overjoyed to see its name.

The venue is to be very active, tomorrow.  I will, however, be in Victoria, BC, for a National Aboriginal Canadians Day festival.  Still, this is another very comforting thing about this little port.

Hearts come in all shapes and sizes.

They can also be complex.

I wonder if Juliet, or Rapunzel, would favour such a balcony ?

Perhaps, if her suitor were to proffer such a mix of flowers as this.

Wandering, reluctantly, away from Hearts of Anacortes, I found a gem of a different sort.  The city includes a waterfront park, at the north harbour. The wharves are largely given over to disuse, and are therefore welcoming to some cormorants.

Could this pass for a dog, or an alligator?  Driftwood does inspire flights of fancy.

Spying a fossil shell was a treat.

It appears Nature has her own pictographs.

There were a few other intrepid souls out, enjoying this special park.  It is a good mark for a community, when it takes the best of what is placed in its midst.  If I ever felt the need to leave Prescott, for another base, Anacortes would be on my short list.