Nomad Life - Day 123

Today was almost a let down after yesterday's "go go go"...  I woke up (without an alarm) at 0515 and started teleworking immediately.  It was raining all morning, so that made it easier to concentrate on the post-Christmas work day...  I ate breakfast in room (snacks) and later made lunch in my room at the Navy Inn on NAS Whidbey Island.  After another half day (I used PTO for the other half), I finished teleworking at 1230.  By this point, fortunately, the sun had come out - score!  Unfortunately, it had also been getting progressively windier...  I was ready to leave the Base at 1310 and made my way out of the only open gate (Ault Field Road) before driving south on WA-20.  Next, I used Sleeper Road to reach Dugualla State Park, which I'd researched online after my failure to find it a few days prior.  At 1330, I parked my car at the end of the pavement (there were no State Park facilities) and started walking the well-marked trails (North Trail, Beach Trail, Big Tree Trail, Marsh Trail).  Along the way, I had to descend a very big hill and crawl under some huge downed trees.  Eventually, though, I reached Skagit Bay and was able doe some birding.  Throughout my hike, the trail conditions were very wet and my boots (and the base of my pants legs) were drenched by the end.  At times, I was a bit worried about how windy it was - the trees were all shedding evergreen boughs and I hoped none would fall on me...  I finished my walk at 1445 and, once in my car, I backtracked to Taylor Road.  Next, I used Silver Lake Road to reach Strawberry Point Road so I could check out Strawberry Point Preserve.  I'd already gotten enough steps so I didn't hike there.  Instead, I made my way to Mariner's Cove County Park / Boat Launch (1500).  That part was located in a very nice neighborhood - every home had a slip, almost like Danny L's home in Virginia Beach.  There were also some open lots and homes for sale.  Hmmmm...  There were incredible views of Mount Baker, shrouded in low clouds, and Camano Island - nice!  I moved on by 1510 and drove farther into Oak Harbor.  As I'd done on Christmas Eve, I caught an early dinner (Esteban's Combo #6; chimichanga, enchilada, rice, beans, guacamole) at at Esteban's Mexican Restaurant (1520).  The food was great and the staff remembered me from my previous visit.  I was done eating by 1600 and then went next door to Wicked Teuton Brewing Company.  Like I'd seen on Wednesday (two days before), there was a lot of good beer and comradery.  The bartender was nice but the group at the bar wasn't as fun as the last time I'd been there - still, I got to try several more good beers before I was done (1645), including the Flagship ("Terry's") IPA.  Next, I went shopping for groceries at Walmart - I had finally used up all the food I got in Oregon...  I was finished at 1700, got back on WA-20 and drove back to NAS Whidbey Island.  After getting on Base again, I stopped at the NEX Gas Station for a gas fillup (1720) before reaching the Navy Inn by 1725.  By this point, it was very windy and much colder (low 30s).  Inside the warm building, I reorganized my room and worked on my blog before I started watching movies (and TV series).  Finding some good things, I ended up going to bed much later than I'd planned (2300).  There is no doubt that I've a ton of great weather luck for December in the PNW - hopefully, the (mostly) sunny days will continue through the weekend!