Nomad Life - Day 118

It was a tough night, with the congestion and sore throat affecting the quality of my sleep.  As a result, I stayed in bed until almost 0630.  I was still under the effects of the cold or flu but my sinuses apparently drained overnight.  Now, it was just a matter of hydrating (hopefully).  Once sufficiently roused, I spent the morning reading, doing puzzles and Duolingo exercises.  Later, I started packing for departure from Naval Base Kitsap - Bremerton.  Along the way, I skipped breakfast.  By 0930, the weather had let up enough (it had been raining earlier) that I was able to start loading up my car - it took several trips.  When I was finished (0950), I checked out of my room at the Navy Inn, got in my car and headed out of town.  I made my way west towards WA-3 and then drove north.  Just past the exit (Silverdale) for the Kitsap Mall, I found the exit for Naval Base Kitsap - Bangor.  After passing through the front gate, I immediately discovered that this was a much different property than the Bremerton part of the base.  Everything was much more secure, green and expansive.  Hoping to attend Mass, I checked at the Base Chapel - unfortunately, there weren't any services pending.  Next, I stopped in at the package store for a holiday drink (1040) and then made a swing by the Commissary to pick up a sandwich for my lunch (1050).  I departed the Base soon after that and returned to the freeway - I drove north until I reached the end of WA-3.  From there, I continued (with dry conditions, mid 40s) to WA-104.  While crossing Squamish Harbor on the Hood Canal Floating Bridge" (into Jefferson County), I watched to Bald Eagles fighting with a Red Tailed Hawk.  Continuing on WA-104, I made my way west until I was able to get on WA-19.  Just before reaching Port Townsend, I merged on to WA-20.  I got a gas fillup at the Safeway in Port Townsend (1145) and then drove to the nearby Ferry Terminal.  After paying (no reservation), I entered the "standby" queue at 1145.  Fortunately, I had no trouble getting onboard the Ferry "Kennewick" at 1220 and we departed for Coupeville at 1230.  By this time, the wind had kicked up tremendously and the ferry rocked back and forth.  The whitecaps in the Admiralty Inlet were substantial and we were driving perpendicular to the swells.  There were a lot of interesting birds nearby and I enjoyed watching them through my binoculars.  We arrived at the Coupeville Ferry Terminal (on Whidbey Island) by 1310 and I was one of the last cars off the ferry.  Once on land I turned left (north) so I could get away from the rest of the traffic.  Almost immediately, I took a detour through Fort Casey State Park and got a good photo of the Admiralty Head Lighthouse.  Next, I made my way (via back roads) into Coupeville and got on WA-20.  I then continued west and then north until I arrived in Oak Harbor.  After locating the old town center, I stopped for a snack and some local ciders at Barrington's Irish Pub.  The drinks and food ("lunch") were good and I enjoyed the quiet bar with some football playing on the screens nearby.  Finished at 1440, I went walking in Oak Harbor Marina (Flintstone Park) .  By this point, the temps had risen to nearly 50 degrees!  I made it to 1.5 miles of walking before departing the area.  I'd been communicating with the daughters of my friend, Chris C, who had told me about a "pink house" their family had lived in when they resided in the area.  With their help, I went looking for the old home - in the end, I found that it had been repainted green (and sent a photo to Amanda, Ashley and Bridgette).  After that (1510), I made my way to the gate for NAS Whidbey Island and arrived at the Navy Inn by about 1530.  Once I was checked into my room, I unpacked my belongings into my (2nd floor) room (no elevator) and enjoyed some cookies and cocoa in the lobby.  Meanwhile, it got dark.  With everything settled inside, I went walking outside (2.5 miles).  Along the way, I encountered my first New Hampshire License Plate since I left the East Coast - I wonder if I can meet the person...  The evening weather was pleasant (40s and clear).  Finished with my 10K steps (1830), I returned to my room and watched movies for several hours.  In the end, I skipped dinner.  Bedtime was at 2130.  Hoping for a great week of fun on Whidbey Island!