Simple Pleasures Shine on Whidbey Island for a Weekend Getaway
As an orange 1960s vintage Camaro roars out of the Bailey’s Corner Store parking lot, I immediately feel at home. It takes asking someone where the live music is, but I stroll past the gas station pumps and behind the fence to find a hidden music venue with dozens of locals cheering on the artists. “If Lo-Fi and Chinese Folk music had a baby,” Shelby Natasha describes her music type after her set to a few of us on the picnic bench beneath the evergreens with the sun peeking through. Whidbey Island is special, offering a community of self-expression—evident in local superstar Farmer Nathaniel Talbot, who has gone folk with nothing but militant support from his local community. From city lights to island nights, it only took me a quick ferry ride from downtown Seattle to be convinced that I should spend every weekend on Whidbey Island.
After indulging in chicken tenders and fries at Bailey’s, I head back to the Treehouse. Whidbey Island seems to magically paint the skies in hues that tell me I am meant to be here for the weekend. Climbing up the stairs to the Treehouse and tucking myself into bed, I wake up the next morning to the morning light pouring in and pure silence—something I don’t hear living in the city. I’ve never stayed in a treehouse before, but I could get used to this.
Continuing my morning, I realize the Bayview Farmers Market is a must-see, situated at the bottom of a hill. As I approach the market, I hear laughter, faint music, and feel the sun on my shoulders. This is sweet summertime in Washington State. After perusing the stands, I opt to purchase more peaches from the fruit stand—I hand over my four peaches for weighing with my blackberry-stained fingers from enjoying a carton a few minutes prior, soon to be sticky with peach juice once I indulge. I take my card back from paying and look to my left. I see a mother giving her newborn babe a bite of a peach, whispering, “baby’s first peach bite.” This Farmers Market is for firsts—for all of us, not just newborn babes, because for the first time, I felt at home in a place that isn’t my home.
“Dad! Come here, the duck just hatched her baby,” shouts Gwen from the next farm stall over. We’re at BallyDidean Farms, and Gwen’s father—the sanctuary owner—is showing us his 130 rescued animals. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience, watching a babe come from the egg. I still don’t know if it’s the (duck) or the egg in this instance, but Gwen has a smile on her face with tears streaming down, and this is Island Life. I think Whidbey Island is my Island of Firsts.
Sitting comfortably in Hierophant Meadery, I take a big bite out of a honeycomb–the freshest honeycomb I will probably ever try. Also a first—and the honeycomb is delicious, especially as I wash it down with Apple Spice Mead. I may be in my twenties, but I haven’t found an adult beverage I’ve thoroughly enjoyed—although, I think Apple Spice Hierophant Mead may take that trophy now.
As the day winds down, it’s time for dinner, and I’m enjoying the water views out of the window at The Oystercatcher. My skin is hot to the touch from the sun today, and I can’t refrain from indulging in the freshly baked bread that Sophie—the owner—has graciously placed in front of me. I hear Ben, the Executive Chef and Sophie’s husband, speak to his Sous Chef about the next dish to fire behind me. This is Saturday night on the island—slow but timely, relaxing, and leaving me with my heart full.
Sunday mornings are for Whidbey Island Bagel Factory. I watch the bagel-master manage his bagel-molding machine to push through fresh poppyseed bagels until I get snapped out of my trance—“Hannah!” the 17-year-old cashier calls out, handing me a vanilla latte and a blueberry bagel with lemon blueberry cream cheese.
Reflecting on my weekend, I realize it may be the little things that matter most. Living in the city, we can graze over those pretty quickly. No matter the age, Whidbey Island seems to bring out the youthful feeling in all of us–something we all benefit from tapping into. A homey town, a place where you know you’re in good hands, great food and unique activities, Whidbey Island will remain in my heart as the ultimate summertime destination.
