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- photo by Martin Lynn

This is the end of Waterspot1.

It's the end of a long chapter for us. I have raked up my last pinecone. We were lucky to have had this unique experience, and will treasure our happy memories.

Wild burros at Lake Pleasant.

Jacksons: the family of Lois Hammond

By the University of Washington Friday Harbor Laboratories, just outside the harbor/marina.

And at the end, to make our spirits soar, Max performed an awesome piano piece he composed called "Butterflies" that truly spoke to our hearts and was a perfect last note.

The American Legion has an great patio in back with the aforementioned fantastic view.

Percich's: The family of Jerrie Hammond.

Bruce, Chuck, Deb, Herb, Ruth, Dave.

The Daves.

Kudos to whoever is the green thumb that takes care of this patio!

And thanks to the shrimp peelers for their hard work! Bill Percich fishes for fresh shrimp and everyone looks forward to having some at the reunion.

Big Dave, Phil, Chuck, Royal, Terry Deb.

We were early but some of our tribe was already there! Don and Jerrie Smith snagged a handicapped space and were waiting for us along with a few others. We had a 9 AM departure so an early morning for all of us!

Skagit Regional Airport in Burlington after takeoff, and looking at the Anacortes Refinery from the plane.

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We passed familiar places, Thatcher Pass and James Island on the way home.

Rich and Jill.

Driving down Spring Street in Friday Harbor to the ferry landing, where we joined a big crowd waiting to go back to Anacortes.

This year our reunion was especially poignant as we said a last goodbye to two of our family who passed away since we last met: Bruce's sister Helaine, and Michael's sister Nancy. Lisa is here reading a tribute to her Mother Helaine and Michael read a poem he wrote for Nancy.

Big Dave and Sue .

- photo by Herb

Our route to the Legion took us past the town Totem Pole and along the waterfront. This is familiar turf for us since we brought the boat to this marina many times. It is always good to come back here.

All of us!

This is Bill, who lives on the Island and not only catches all the shrimp but cooks a few pounds of it for the rest of us to gobble down. We think he has truly managed to improve on perfection and this year the shrimp was better than ever.

We usually only see the other Hammonds once a year at this event, so we are so grateful for the chance to talk and laugh and catch up with all of them. And of course, eat!

Brother and sister Herb and Susie who avoided the hassle of parking at the ferry landing and flew in. Susie is a pilot and she got them here in about 20 minutes! We were a little nervous about this plan because of the rain, but it cleared over the Island before they landed and they had no trouble (Thank you God!)

Michael and Sue.

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Suttermans: the family of Liz Hammond.

Hjarne family, son of Eunice Hammond, Cox and Gilbert families.

Crossing paths with another ferry. This is the main route to the islands. Still not a happy sky.

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This is the Port. We take those stairs back there up to the hilltop. The roundabout is new to us.

What a difference from the start of this day - Sunshine and blue sky!

August 16, 2025

Wake and low clouds behind us as we leave Anacortes.

This is part of the Cary family - the others were peeling shrimp - who put together a feast for us along with Bill and John. Feeding a big group with the challenges of getting everything to the Island is a HUGE job and they did such a fantastic job. And just look, everyone is smiling!

Lynn, Lisa, Bethany, Max, and Phil.

Monica, Susie, Lynn.

Time for a quick look at the ferry gift shop for ferry souvenirs and soon we were boarding the Chelan for Friday Harbor.

Lynn, LouAnn and Michael.

A seaplane waits on the breakwater when we arrive in Friday Harbor. It's just over an hour trip.

Max, the Piano Man. He's our very talented musician.

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We arrived home to darker and dramatic skies.

Not packed but a pretty good-sized crowd on board.

John and Phil.

Sunset over the Salish Sea from San Juan Island, August 19.

- photo by Rush Linhart

I've started paying attention to the Grange halls that are all over Washington. The Friday Harbor one has a new metal roof, solar panels and bright new paint since I last saw it! Many are not this well-maintained. It is next door to the American Legion.

We had a change of venue this year and went back to Friday Harbor for our annual reunion at the American Legion Hall. We had bad wet weather in Anacortes but the sun came out after we got there. This is the marina from the legion's patio, the best view in town!

Card players on board.

Royal and Carol.

- photo by Rachel Lee Fox

- photo by Herb

Big Dave and Debbie.

Hammonds: Bruce and Carol and family of Herb Hammond.

We had time before our ferry home to go to the sweet small cemetery on the Island to inter Helaine, who now rests with the Hammonds who have gone on before.

Hammond Family Reunion: Friday Harbor

Left: Lisa and Bethany; Below Bethany and Claire.

Waterspot13

Another first, we took a cab to the landing since it has been packed all summer and we didn't think we'd get a parking space, especially on a Saturday. Mert's Taxi picked us up at the condo for the less than 1 mile trip ($17 plus tip, just for the record!)

John Jackson also lives on the Island and fishes in Alaska for a living. He brought enough beautiful fresh salmon to feed everyone. And he cooked it too. We are so lucky to have these guys !

And just look what we missed! We saw some whale fins from the ferry close to San Juan Island as we left, but at a distance, and they evidently went on to swim right through the Friday Harbor Marina! You never get this close to the Orcas because boats are restricted from approaching them, but this was taken by someone standing on the docks. - photo by Jay Orem

Here's how it looked down there! We are still experiencing an atmospheric river that came ashore two days ago bringing lots of rain. Not too cold but very gray, wet and threatening. Cypress Island from the ferry.