Along for the ride: 2014 WetWesties Labor Day Weekend, Dosewallips WA

The day after Jessica's birthday, we are back on the I-5 headed north - Phil and Sue in their 1972 Volkwagen Westfalia Camper van and us in our Free Spirit Sprinter van. Philip's van was originally bought new by his and Peter's mother in 1972 and it's stayed in the family.

Philip and Sue belong to the WetWesties, and VW camping group, and we are joining them as an SOB (Some Other Brand) for their Labor Day weekend camp out at Dosewallips Washington State Park along the Hood Canal. I joke the only reason Philip wants us to join them is that we'll be called SOBs for the weekend.

Tompe-l'oeil warehouse

Great cow on the back of this milk truck

The weather turns stormy as we travel into Washington and we wonder if our camping weekend will get rained out.

Storm clouds over an old barn

This purple gorilla has to hang on against the wind

The clouds are starting to break up by the time we stop for a late lunch at the Oyster House in Olympia WA. This area of Puget Sound is particularly favorable for growing shellfish so of course, we have to stop and sample the local clams and oysters.

WA state capitol in Olympia

Shellfish friendly cove

Entrance to Dosewallips State Park

The WetWesties have reserved a large group site for the weekend. We camp next to each other. Peter and I extend our patio cover, set up our two chairs and we're done. Philip's set up is more involved.

Phil & Sue camp next to us

Philip sets up his BusDepot kitchen area

Nice space!

There's quite a number of WetWesties setting camp up by late Friday afternoon

WetWestie camp Friday pm of Labor Day

As the light deepens, I set out to catch some nice shots around the Hood Canal just across Hwy 101.

Put in for Hood Canal

Canoes are ready for a group paddle tomorrow morning

Sunset brightens clouds overhead

That night as we are getting ready for bed, we hear people outside hooping and cheering. Apparently Curtis (#1 Gadget Guy) was driving towards the camp when he discovered a VW Eurovan broken down alongside the road. The owners, David and Yolanda, are depressed about not being able to make it to a coveted campsite they've reserved for this weekend since last January. Curtis convinces them to join the WetWesties for the weekend for fun and to possibly get their van repaired. So they choose to be shuttled into camp on a tow truck. Camp is where their van stops rolling off the ramp.

Disabled van rolls down ramp

Looks like a good place to camp

Tow truck disappears into the night

After last night's excitement, we're all a bit drowsy as a drizzly morning greets us.

... but hey - these are the WetWesties from the Northwest. They never let a minor inconvenience of a little rain get in the way of having a good time camping.

Umbrellas are out this morning

WetWesties Coordinator Larry's camp

Sun's out - umbrellas are tossed aside

After breakfast, I wander around camp to check out the scene.

Rob and Lori's designer campsite

Curtis' gadget filled van

BCers' Neil and Andrew's super rainfly patio cover

I'm drawn to the easily camaraderie of the Ukulele Ladies and Fred. Maybe I should have brought mine after all. Beth and Fred only live a few miles away, so Fred is able commute, sleeping at home each night in his own bed. Beth stays in camp with their puppies - you could say their dogs are true wet Westies (when it's raining).

Lori strums a few cords and sings

The Ukulele Ladies invite me in

Beth, Mimi and Fred

We get to know several other of the WetWesties over the weekend. Here are just a few:

Lori and Rob, the official photographer

Curtis with his bug killing salt gun

Shawn the gourmet chef

True to their promise, the guys pitch in to diagnose and fix David's disabled van. In the end, they successfully diagnose the problem, but are short the proper parts to complete the repair.

Showing gadgets to each other is part of the fun. Here Curtis is demoing his DJI Phantom with a GoPro. I want one!

There's almost as many dogs in attendance as there are VW vans.

Andrew's Jiggs

Uber camp dog sleeps anywhere - even in the rain

Trina's well groomed puppies

Tracy's Springer Spaniel

In the afternoon, Peter and I go on a short hike out to the beach. First we cross Hwy 101 using the pedestrian underpass which has a wonderful mural on the life cycle of salmon.

Salmon hatchings leaving their eggs

and growing bigger

and as mature adults laying eggs.

Closer to the beach is an elevated platform which affords views of the surrounding area. Looks like this area has been populated by oyster eating humans for many generations.

View from platform

Centuries old oyster shell midden

A bald eagle keeping an eye out for lunch

In returning back to camp, we discover a wide open lawn with a large flock of at least 75 Canada Geese.We've been watching smaller groups flying around the beach and campsite and wondered where they were hanging out. Guess we found them.

Large flock of Canada Geese

We meet a couple of fanatic football fans from Seattle. You'd expect they'd both be Seahawks fans and in fact the woman is. She grew up accompanying her Dad and family on their season tickets to games. However, her husband is from the Bay Area and is a big 49er fan. They both seem to get along great. We do wonder what they're like at a Seahawk vs. 49er game together.