[Advanced] Washington’s Orcas Island (3)

Back on the road just below Turtleback, we pulled into Coffelt Farm, another recently preserved Orcas treasure — a 185-acre Crow Valley farm.

"It’s one of the more productive and complete farms on the island," Bormann said.

"We just had a pig that had 11 babies, and we had 120 lambs this year!" said farmworker Ruthie Dougherty, who was at the counter of the farm’s little shop, which that day offered everything from organic Purple Majesty potatoes and fresh rhubarb to socks made from the farm’s wool. There’s also a freezer full of meats, all from Coffelt Farm.

Pick up dinner fixings, take one of the farm’s occasional workshops, such as Beekeeping Basics, or come for Summer Farm Tour.

(15:00) The Island's Art Scene

Orcas has a sophisticated population of retirees, and the arts are a big part of island life. Galleries are easy to find in Eastsound, and Orcas Island Artworks in Olga is a good reason to drive across the island to see the output of local visual artists and crafts-people.

Residents and visitors alike can also enjoy artwork, dance and theater at Orcas Center, a publicly funded cultural center.

Or if you prefer no-cost entertainment that’s been an Orcas Island staple for years, head to Rosario Resort, where manager Christopher Peacock sets the Moran mansion’s foundation shaking with his gleeful renditions of “Phantom of the Opera” themes on the mansion’s 1,972-pipe Aeolian organ.

(15:53) The Autumn Season

Visit Orcas in autumn and end your day with a thrill ride: Have a friend drive you to the top of Mount Constitution, then mountain-bike all the way down on trails that are open to bikers Sept. 15 to May 15. If you accidentally veer into a patch of nettles: Get revenge. Go for pizza.    


Notes and Vocabulary
preserve v.
1 to keep (something) in its original state or in good condition
2 to keep (something) safe from harm or loss
3 to prevent (food) from decaying

staple n. main thing
an important food that is eaten very often; the main product of a country, area, company, etc.

gleeful n.
a strong feeling of happiness : great pleasure or satisfaction

rendition n.
a performance of something

thrill ride n.
a very exciting ride (such as a roller coaster) at an amusement park — often used figuratively

veer v.
to change direction quickly or suddenly

Purple Majesty potatoes:


rhubarb:

picture from google images

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