I carpooled to the haiku meeting with Curtis Manley and Tanya McDonald, shown here on the ferry from Edmonds to Kingston, Washington. We were the second-last car on the ferry—whew, just made it!
That's me, Michael Dylan Welch. Tanya took this photo to prove I was on the trip (since I'm usually the one taking the photos).
Tanya McDonald folding a copy of her latest haiku handout.
Tanya needed to make sure she had enough copies of her new haiku handout folded in time for today's haiku meeting.
Arriving at the dock in Kingston, Washington.
Tanya McDonald and Curtis Manley as we arrive at the dock in Kingston, Washington.
We met at the Olympic Hostel on the grounds of Fort Worden in Port Townsend, Washington. The sign made us feel welcome. In the background are Tanya McDonald, Richard Tice, Curtis Manley, and Kathleen Tice.
Haiku here!
Terran Campbell ("It's about time you guys showed up!"), Dianne Garcia, and Ida Freilinger.
Haiku upstairs.
After a quick hello at the hostel, we walked or drove to the Point Wilson lighthouse. Skies were initially clouded here and there, but soon cleared up to be perfectly clear.
Walking to Point Wilson lighthouse at Fort Worden. Left to right are Karma Tenzing Wangchuk, Jay Haskins, Doris Thurston, Carmi Soifer (behind), Carmen Sterba, James Rodriguez (behind), Jay Gelzer, and Polly Thurston.
Karma Tenzing Wangchuk, Jay Haskins (hidden), Doris Thurston, Carmi Soifer (behind), Carmen Sterba, Jay Gelzer, James Rodriguez (behind), and Polly Thurston.
Karma Tenzing Wangchuk, Jay Haskins, Carmi Soifer, Doris Thurston, and Carmen Sterba.
Karma Tenzing Wangchuk and Carmi Soifer.
Approaching the Point Wilson lighthouse.
The Point Wilson lighthouse started in 1879, although the current lighthouse was not built until 1913, almost a hundred years ago. Although the sign says the lighthouse is closed, they Coast Guard Auxiliary does give tours through the summer, and opened the lighthouse especially for our group today.
Doris Thurston and Karma Tenzing Wangchuk getting closer to the lighthouse.
I don't think anyone was writing haiku yet. Jay Haskins, Carmi Soifer, Dianne Garcia (hidden), Polly Thurston, Ida Freilinger, Terran Campbell, and James Rodriguez.
Waiting at the lighthouse with two Coast Guard Auxiliary volunteers (in the hat and at the door). Waiting are Richard Tice on the left, and Christopher Herold, Karma Tenzing Wangchuk (behind), Carmen Sterba (facing away), and Doris Thurston (also facing away).
Jay Gelzer, Karma Tenzing Wangchuk (hidden), our Coast Guard Auxiliary docent, Christopher Herold, Doris Thurston, Carmen Sterba, and Richard Tice.
Karma Tenzing Wangchuk, our Coast Guard Auxiliary docent, Christopher Herold (hidden), Doris Thurston, Carmen Sterba, Richard Tice, Jay Haskins (hidden), James Rodriguez (back, with camera), Carmi Soifer, and Polly Thurston.
Entering the lighthouse. Richard Tice is behind Christopher Herold, with Polly Thurston, Doris Thurston, and CarmenSterba not far behind.
Christopher Herold. Thanks for organizing this special tour, Christopher!
A nautical knot mat on the floor as we entered.
Inside the lighthouse, looking at charts and historical photos.
Polly Thurston makes a donation while Karma Tenzing Wangchuk examines an old photo.
Polly Thurston and Karma Tenzing Wangchuk inside the Point Wilson lighthouse.
Only six people at a time were allowed up to the top of the lighthouse, so we waited our turn here in one of the lower rooms that we could enter.
Richard Tice.
Polly Thurston signs the lighthouse guest book.
Yes, apparently, the lighthouse has a ghost! Click the zoom tool (at the upper right) to take a closer look.
Michael Dylan Welch waiting a turn to go up the Point Wilson lighthouse.
Two of the volunteer docents from the Coast Guard Auxiliary. We're grateful that they could open the lighthouse for our special private tour!
One of our docents talks about one of the historical photos in the lighthouse.
Richard Tice, Ida Freilinger, and Polly Thurston listen to the volunteer docent.
Polly Thurston and Ida Freilinger waiting to up inside the lighthouse.
Up we go.
At the top of the spiral concrete stairs, that got narrower near the top, we found a metal ladder leading into the lighthouse chamber itself. Here's Ida Freilinger heading up the ladder.
Looking up from the top of the ladder in the Point Wilson lighthouse.
Looking down the ladder we'd just come up.
Looking down the ladder at the top of the Point Wilson lighthouse.
The spiral metal ladder ladder at the top of the Point Wilson lighthouse.
The view to the northeast from the Point Wilson lighthouse.
In the distance is the northern end of Whidbey Island, across the straight.
All boat traffic entering Puget Sound and headed to Seattle must pass through these waters.
The fourth-order Fresnel lens inside the Point Wilson lighthouse.
The light inside the Point Wilson lighthouse flashes red three times with each rotation of the lens.
Peeling paint on the roof above the lighthouse light.
A closer view. Peeling paint always has a feeling of sabi for me ("sabi" is a Japanese aesthetic term that describes a feeling of austere beauty).
A view of the keeper's house from the top of the Point Wilson lighthouse.
The view from the Point Wilson lighthouse, looking west.
The view from the Point Wilson lighthouse.
One of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary volunteers, Captain Dudley, tells us about the lighthouse and Fresnel lens, with Polly Thurston in the background.
Captain Dudley's great-great uncle (if I'm remembering correctly) was one of the original lighthouse keepers. Polly Thurston is in the background.
Captain Dudley describes how the new automated light (shown here outside the old historic light) now does the work of the old light. Polly Thurston in the background.
Richard and Kathleen Tice listen to stories about the lighthouse.
Polly Thurston and Ida Freilinger.
Another view of the historic lightkeeper's house.
Ida Freilinger, Richard Tice, and Kathleen Tice.
The bulb inside the Point Wilson lighthouse.
Captain Dudley, our U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary volunteer docent.
Captain Dudley is retired from the U.S. Coast Guard, and is now with the Auxiliary. We're grateful that he could volunteer his time to tell us about the lighthouse and its history.
Thanks to Captain Dudley for telling us about the Point Wilson lighthouse.
A view from the lighthouse back towards Fort Worden and Port Townsend.
The Point Wilson lighthouse.
Captain Dudley at the Point Wilson lighthouse.
Heading down the spiral stairs inside the Point Wilson lighthouse.
The spiral stairs inside the Point Wilson lighthouse.
Inside the Point Wilson lighthouse.
Heading down the stairs.
Ida Freilinger, Christopher Herold, and Tanya McDonald.
A chart in the Point Wilson lighthouse showing Puget Sound. Seattle is near the bottom-right corner, and Port Townsend is near the top left. Click the zoom tool (upper-right corner) to take a closer look.
Haiku poets have taken over the Point Wilson lighthouse! Thanks to our hosts for the privilege of entering.
The Point Wilson lighthouse, built in 1913. Here, at the top, you can see the automated light installed just outside the old lighthouse chamber.
The Point Wilson lighthouse and, to the left, the lightkeeper's house.
The Point Wilson lighthouse, with the lightkeeper's house behind.
Christopher Herold waves from the top of the Point Wilson lighthouse.
The lighthouse and lightkeeper's home at Point Wilson, near Port Townsend, Washington.
Tanya McDonald waves from the top of the Point Wilson lighthouse.
A freighter heading into the Puget Sound, bound for Seattle.
The Point Wilson lighthouse, with the lightkeeper's house to the right. After our visit to the lighthouse, we walked or drove back to the Olympic Hostel for our haiku meeting.
Tanya McDonald at the Olympic Hostel, where we held our haiku meeting. The weather turned out to be gorgeous.
Tanya McDonald at the Olympic Hostel at Fort Worden in Port Townsend, Washington.
Three deer were grazing on the front lawn of the Olympic Hostel.
Deer on the lawn in front of the Olympic Hostel.
The Olympic Hostel at Fort Worden in Port Townsend, Washington.
Inside the Olympic Hostel, we began socializing over lunch. Left to right are Polly Thurston, Dianne Garcia, and Curtis Manley.
Jay Haskins and Karma Tenzing Wangchuk.
James Rodriguez, Polly Thurston, Carmen Sterba, Dianne Garcia, Ida Freilinger, and Curtis Manley.
Carmen Sterba, Ida Freilinger, Margaret McGee, and Terran Campbell.
Richard Lloyd, Kathleen Tice, Richard Tice, and Jay Haskins.
Karma Tenzing Wangchuk, Carmi Soifer, Christopher Herold, and Doris Thurston. Christopher is inviting us to introduce ourselves and share a haiku.
Doris Thurston, Jay Gelzer (behind), James Rodriguez, and Curtis Manley.
Dianne Garcia, Carmen Sterba, Polly Thurston (behind), Ida Freilinger, and Margaret McGee.
Terran Campbell (behind) and Tanya McDonald.
James Rodriguez plays from a flute he made himself. James has written haiku for several years, but this was his first time to ever attend a meeting with other haiku poets. James drove about four hours from Washougal, Washington to join us. Welcome Jim!
Curtis Manley, Dejah Leger, Polly Thurston, Dianne Garcia, Carmen Sterba, and Ida Freilinger (mostly hidden).
During a break for snacks. Carmen Sterba, James Rodriguez, and Christopher Herold.
In the Olympic Hostel kitchen, enjoying snacks. Clockwise from the lower left are Doris Thurston, Tanya McDonald, Terran Campbell, Carmi Soifer, Richard Tice, and Polly Thurston.
Curtis Manley and Ida Freilinger.
Richard Lloyd and Karma Tenzing Wangchuk. Jay Haskins in the background.
Margaret McGee, Michael Dylan Welch, and Terran Campbell.
Haiku books for sale or display on our sunny book table. Hummingbirds fussed at a feeder just outside the window.
Before our meeting, Christopher Herold invited participants to send him lighthouse haiku, which he compiled into a lovely book called "Keepers of The Light." He generously gave each of us a copy. Here we are reading all of the poems from the book. Left to right are Dianne Garcia, Carmen Sterba, Ida Freilinger, Margaret McGee, and Terran Campbell.
James Rodriguez, Richard Lloyd, Kathleen Tice, Richard Tice, and Jay Haskins.
Carmi Soifer, Christopher Herold, Doris Thurston, and Curtis Manley.
Here's the cover of the "Keepers of The Light" book of lighthouse haiku, edited and published by Christopher Herold. Christopher says he's arranging to have the book available for sale at the lighthouse giftshop.
Next, we had a special reading in tribute to Doris Thurston, one of the cofounders of the Port Townsend haiku group. She had been running the group for years, hosting most meetings at her house, but recently stepped down from these duties. Christopher Herold produced a wonderful tribute book of Doris's haiku titled "A Circle of Light," which we all took turns reading for Doris. Here are Dianne Garcia and Carmen Sterba.
Polly Thurston, Dianne Garcia, Carmen Sterba, Ida Freilinger, and Margaret McGee.
Curtis Manley passes Doris Thurston's book to Doris while Christopher Herold looks on.
Doris Thurston, cofounder of the Port Townsend haiku group. To read a bit more about the group, which started in 1992, visit https://sites.google.com/site/haikunorthwest/port-townsend-haiku-group. Doris was very grateful for this unexpected tribute to her and her poems.
Christopher Herold and Doris Thurston.
Doris Thurston and James Rodriguez.
Carmen Sterba and Christopher Herold during another of our frequent breaks.
Richard Tice, Jay Haskins, Kathleen Tice (hidden), Margaret McGee (facing away), Terran Campbell, and Tanya McDonald during another break for snacks. Thanks to everyone who brought all the yummy snacks!
Carmi Soifer, Jay Haskins, Doris Thurston, with Richard Tice, Tanya McDonald, and Kathleen Tice on the right. Doris is wearing a T-shirt from the 1997 Haiku North America conference, held in Portland, Oregon.
While we were on our snack break, Christopher Herold had collected all the poems (one per person) entered for the kukai. He laid out the poems, shuffled and numbered, on our chairs. Here we are starting to go round the room to select four of our favourites each.
Carmen Sterba and Richard Lloyd selecting their favourites during our kukai.
Polly Thurston (foreground), with Dianne Garcia, Doris Thurston, Carmi Soifer, Jay Haskins, and Terran Campbell behind.
Tanya McDonald, Richard Tice, Curtis Manley (behind), Karma Tenzing Wangchuk (facing away), Christopher Herold, and Jay Gelzer.
Carmen Sterba selects one of her favourites during the kukai. On the table beyond her are items that people brought for a show-and-tell session (items from home that were meaningful to them).
Ida Freilinger examines one of the books on our haiku book table.
Dejah Leger, Tanya McDonald, and Terran Campbell.
Karman Tenzing Wangchuk and Carmi Soifer.
Christopher Herold writes numbers on the whiteboard to begin compiling votes for our kukai.
Christopher Herold writes numbers on the whiteboard so we can compile votes for our kukai.
Jim Rodriguez.
Jim Rodriguez plays his homemade flute for us.
Christopher Herold gets our attention to start the kukai voting.
Kathleen Tice, Richard Tice, Jay Haskins, Karma Tenzing Wangchuk (hidden), Christopher Herold, and Carmi Soifer (hidden).
Here's the third-place kukai winner, by Karma Tenzing Wangchuk. Not shown are the second-place poem by Christopher Herold (my favourite), the fourth-place poem by Jay Gelzer, and the fifth-place winner by Dejah Leger.
The first-place winner in the kukai was Michael Dylan Welch, with this poem. I was fortunate to win a lovely framed piece of artwork donated by Jay Haskins (thanks, Jay!).
Dejah Leger is often knitting!
After our kukai, we had an anonymous haiku workshop. James Rodriguez, Kathleen Tice, and Richard Tice. The poem on the whiteboard is by Michael Dylan Welch.
We were very comfortable in the common room at the Olympic Hostel. Left to right are Kathleen Tice, Richard Tice, Jay Haskins, Karma Tenzing Wangchuk, Carmi Soifer, Christopher Herold, Doris Thurston, and Curtis Manley.
A view from one end of the Olympic Hostel common room during our anonymous haiku workshop.
Christopher Herold writes a poem on the whiteboard during our anonymous haiku workshop.
Christopher Herold writes another poem on the whiteboard for our anonymous haiku workshop
Christopher Herold writing a poem on the whiteboard for our anonymous haiku workshop.
Discussing the poem on the whiteboard are James Rodriguez, Kathleen Tice, and Richard Tice.
At the end of our time in the Olympic Hostel, before we headed out to dinner, we enjoyed the lowering sun at Fort Worden. Left to right are Carmen Sterba (hidden), Tanya McDonald (front), Christopher Herold, Kathleen Tice, Dejah Leger (holding one of her daughters), and Devon Leger. On the right (foreground) is Curtis Manley.
Tanya McDonald and Christopher Herold.
Left to right are James Rodriguez, Christopher Herold, Tanya McDonald (facing away), Richard Tice, Dejah Leger and her daughter, Devon Leger, and Devon's parents with their granddaughter.
It was hard to say goodbye after such a lovely day!
Ten of us gathered at the Banana Leaf restaurant for Thai food after the haiku meeting. Clockwise from the lower left are Doris Thurston, Carmen Sterba, Christopher Herold, James Rodriguez, Curtis Manley, Jay Gelzer, Richard Tice, and Kathleen Tice.
Clockwise from the left are Carmen Sterba, Christopher Herold, James Rodriguez, Curtis Manley, Jay Gelzer, Tanya McDoland, an empty chair for Michael Dylan Welch (since I was taking the pictures), Richard Tice, Kathleen Tice (hidden to the right), and Doris Thurston.
Christopher Herold, James Rodriguez, and Curtis Manley.
Clockwise from the left are Carmen Sterba, Christopher Herold, James Rodriguez, Curtis Manley, Jay Gelzer, Tanya McDoland, Michael Dylan Welch, Richard Tice, Kathleen Tice, and Doris Thurston at the Banana Leaf Thai restuarant in Port Townsend, Washington. Thanks to our server for taking the picture!
Carmen Sterba and Christopher Herold.
Richard Tice, Kathleen Tice, and Doris Thurston.
Curtis Manley and Jay Gelzer.
James Rodriguez and Curtis Manley.
Tanya McDonald and Michael Dylan Welch.
After Thai food and goodbyes for most people, it was time for Tanya McDonald, Curtis Manley, and Michael Dylan Welch to visit Elevated Ice Cream. After a few samples we each decided on the scoop of our dreams.
Tanya McDonald caught in the ice cream act at Elevated Ice Cream in Port Townsend, Washington.
Tanya McDonald and Curtis Manley. I think Curtis wants some of Tanya's, and Tanya isn't so sure!
Our timing was great to get on the ferry home via Kingston to Edmonds. Here we Tanya McDonald and Curtis Manley on the ferry. Curtis is holding a copy of a three-person rengay we started on the ferry this morning on the theme of fish. We're almost done!
Tanya McDonald and Curtis Manley on the ferry heading back to Edmonds, Washington after a great day of haiku with the Haiku Northwest and Port Townsend haiku groups.
Yes, to prove I was there, here's another picture of Michael Dylan Welch (thanks, Tanya, for taking the picture). If you've not joined us for one of the Haiku Northwest or Port Townsend haiku group meetings, please do join us next time. For more information, please visit http://sites.google.com/site/haikunorthwest/Home.
