Lopez Visits

Lopez Island Visits

Lopez has a special place in our family. Bart has loved going there since his family first visited and bought land there in the 1970's. Bart and I have gone there nearly every summer since 1981, first as sweethearts, then as assistant builders of Oscar and Alie's retirement house, then on our honeymoon, and later with our kids. Brian and Alison each made their first drive up there at three months old. These annual visits to Lopez chronicle their childhood and growing up.

This page is a tribute to my in-laws, Oscar and Alie Smaalders, who have made possible many amazing and memorable summers. Thank you, Pake and Beppe!

Click on each image for a bigger version.

2011 - Working remote, living in the Pickle, visits to and from Mark and Kim, John and Janet.
Bart tries to make a business call. Lack of cell reception adds challenges.	Oscar and Alie have curry in the warmth of the Pickle's dinette. Oscar's lemon bars from the Tartine book are a mouth watering dessert.	Mark and Kim serve a tasty lunch in their nearly completed house.	Outdoor dining is lovely when the weather is warm. For a gallery of more pictures, click here.	The kids had time for some long conversations with their grandparents.	A flotilla of Northwest tribal canoes stop at Odlin Park for a few days. We have a look at them with Brian, John and Janet.

2010 - The Pickle's first visit, privy and bunkbed building, Lorin helping with William

2009 - Staying on Orcas, helping build Mark's loft and french doors,

2008 - Bart, Brian and Keith, along with Russ and Nick, help frame Mark's house.

2007 - Houdini's reappearance, Karen and kids and friends, "No Parking" recycled, visit to Orcas.
Ahhhh, Lopez... Conversation and Harry Potter on the deck with the parents.	The beach is a great place to play. The cousins bring two friends: Melanie and Nathan. [more family and friends]	Houdini renews his friendship with Alison. He likes being inside after a year in the wild.	"No Parking" gets recycled after 25 years in the woods. Lots of other metal goes along. [The whole boat saga]	Brian celebrates his 19th birthday with family, a lovely location, his cat and a computer. Life is good.	Alison gets artistic advice from Hildegarde who is almost 91.

2006 - Visits and changes. A trip to Victoria with Bart's parents.
Successful cataract surgery means that Oscar doesn't need glasses for the first time in 50 years. Mark is headed to Samoa for six months. [Mark & Kim's place]	The cousins visit. The kids build a raft after tie-dyeing t-shirts and picking berries to freeze for Beppe. They picked enough for pies too! Later on we celebrate birthdays.	The progress of the raft construction is watched carefully. The pedal boat behind Alison gets used by all the kids and Bart too.	The cousins all wear their new birthday Lopez shirts. Brian and Lorin turn 18. Lorin is heading to UW in the fall. Left to right: Lorin, Galen, Marlise, Brian, Alison. [Click here for more pictures]	Brian and Alison prowl tidepools at Shark Reef on Brian's birthday.	Even with limited vision and mobility, Alie keeps up. The new walker helps. [Victoria page]

2005 - Mark and Kim are back!
We check out the view from Mark and Kim's land on Orcas: Mt Constitution and distant ferries. Left to right: Mark, Alie, Oscar, Kim, Bart.	Barbie spins at the farmer's market.	Oscar uses the tractor to move rotted wood from the front yard to the burn pile where Bart dumps it (over by the pond, near B & B's tent).	Mark, and Oscar (and Bart) work on the barn. See the clean barn here.	We see several red jellyfish during our beach stroll along Swifts Bay with John and Janet who came over from Orcas.	Brian and Alison make a rythm using rebar and rocks.

2004 - A new mailbox for Oscar and Alie. Marlise visits. Brian celebrates another Lopezian birthday.
Everyone is ready for a siesta at Agate Beach. Marlise is on Lopez while Karen packs up the Mukilteo house.	Alison basking at Agate Beach.	Oscar bakes delicious cakes. Clouds of powdered sugar rise as Brian blows out the candles on this Casablanca cake.	My how they grow. Oscar holds his own with the young 'uns.	Oscar and Alie have a new dragon mailbox.	Oscar's fundraising tile in the new Children's Center. Keep a lookout for the tiles made by or for the kids.

2003 - A visit from the Mukilteans. Relaxation after a busy summer.
The kids tied driftwood logs together to make a raft.	The girls put on a show in their hoop skirts.	Musical root beer bottles provide entertainment at the kids' table in the kitchen.	Bart takes a sail with Brian and Alison.	Bart and Alie settle down for a little R&R on the deck	Sunrise at the ferry landing means another visit is over.

2002 - Brian, Lorin and Alison go to Camp Orkila, Galen comes to Lopez, K & S and other kids join us on Lopez afterwards.
The 7 grandkids with the puddleduck. L to R: Lorin, Brian, Galen, Alison, Marlise, Parker, Madeline.	Bart takes Alie, Marlise and Madeline for a cruise in the Otter.	More messing about in boats. The kids take turns being towed on the board by Bart in the sailboat.	Alison and Marlise hang out on the windsurfer board.	When the weather is nice, there's room for everyone outside on the deck.

2001 - Otter to Nanaimo and Lopez. Dan and kids visit. Russ and family visit. B & B's foundation.
Russ and Bart cruising in the Otter on Swifts Bay.	The kids build a raft out of driftwood at Agate Beach. Lorin, Galen and Brian try to keep it afloat.	The kids glaze tiles for the new Children's Center. Barbie did ones for Parker and Madeline who weren't on Lopez.	Polly's Beach Art class ends with a teeter-totter. Brian and Alison are the third in from each end. Polly is on the far left.	Oscar and Alie watch as Bart and Barbie's basement foundation footing is poured.

2000 - We build a pump house. Dan and the kids join us for a week. Frouk visits Lopez.
Bart, Dan and the kids explore the nooks and crannies of the island rock at Agate Beach.	Everyone gathers in William for lunch: Dan, Bart, Barbie and all their kids.	Brian and Alison help out with the pump house built by Bart, Oscar and Dan.	Trying to windsurf.	Alie and Frouk watch the water action from the beach.

1999 - Steamboat on Lopez (after Wheeler meet). Dan brings the cousins.
The kids play king-of-the-hill on the surfboard. Dan sails the puddleduck in the background.	The Otter gets put to work towing kids on the windsurfer board. Marcia Barthelow sits next to Bart in the back.	Alie and Oscar, dressed up and ready for a special occasion.	Brian towing alders.	Sparring with staves cut from young alders in the alder forest and hauled out in bundles behind the go-kart.

1998 - Building the new barn. 4th of July Parade. Brian and Lorin in sailing class. Beach and go-kart play.
Alison said "I built a barn!" when asked what she did over the summer.	Brian and Alison watch a 4th of July parade, Lopez style.	Sailing (Hunter Bay).	The launch of the puddleduck begins the water fun.	A test of the Go-Kart Bart and Brian built, in the field below Oscar and Alie's house.	The kids found a bird that stunned itself on the window and held it until it flew away.

1997 - Karen brings the cousins who stay for a week. New welder. Piglet Is Entirely Surrounded By Water.
Alison as Piglet, Brian as Christopher Robin, Galen as Owl, Marlise, Lorin as Pooh for the Teddy Bear Picnic performance at the end of the week	Brian and Lorin play in the "goosh-goosh" at low tide.	Alison and the adults relax on the beach.	Marlise gets a hand after Agate Beach.	Oscar tries out his new welder.	Brian gets a tractor driving lesson.

1996 - Victoria. Launch of the painted Puddleduck. County Fair with Toni Poulsen. Piglet Meets a Heffalump.
Oscar, Brian and Bart cruise in the Otter in front of the Empress Hotel in Victoria Harbor.	The Puddleduck is launched with a bright new paint job. Oscar, Bart, Marlise, Brian, Alison (behind Brian), and Galen.	Marlise and Alison	Alison, Oscar, Toni Poulsen, Alie and Brian take a break at the San Juan County Fair. Alie and Oscar have their new Australian hats on.	Piglet Meets A Heffalump, starring Brian as C.R., Alison as Piglet, and Katie Barthelow as Pooh.

1995 - The brand new Puddleduck. Gardening with "Beppe." Brian, Lorin, Alison and Galen enjoy a low tide.
Alison, Lorin, Brian, Galen and Marlise enjoy popsicles on Oscar and Alie's deck.	The new Puddleduck gets a test. Bart rows, Alison rides, and Brian and Lorin are towed.	It's always an adventure seeing what is growing in Beppe's garden. Alison loves raspberries.	Alison, Lorin, Galen and Brian see what shows up during a very low tide.	Alie set up an outdoor "kitchen" for the kids. Galen and Brian love it. (That's Dan walking behind.)

1994 - Oscar and Alie's 40th Anniversary year. We gather on Lopez with Karen and Dan, Mark, and Grampa Jim.
Where did I put my pictures from this year? I'll post 'em when I find 'em.

1993 - Another idyllic vacation: sailing in the Wynfall, a Teddy Bear's Picnic, and plenty of beach time.
Sailing in the Wynfall on Swifts Bay gives a close look at the ferries.	Alison feels right at home in the galley.	Roasting hot dogs on a beach fire with the sun on your back and a ferry in the distance - this is living!	Alie with Alison and Brian, soaking up the afternoon sun on the Port Stanley beach.	The kids get hugs at the Teddy Bear Picnic at the Lopez library. They brought "Bear Man" and "Bruintje Beer" (in Alison's hands) who is white and not brown.

1992 - Alie's sister Frouk visits Lopez. The kids play inside and out. Oma's inurnment.
Alison and Brian love "Tante Fwoke" and her big yellow hat.	Can you find the boy in this picture? The old barn is in its last years.	A trip to Lopez just isn't complete without water time.	Oscar on the floor with Lorin, Brian, Alison and Galen.	Oma's urn is buried in the Center Church cemetery. Brian helps with digging.

1991 - The Otter in Victoria with Karen and Dan. Brian and Lorin B'day party with Lopez guests.
Alison takes a ride in the Otter in Victoria Harbor in front of the Empress Hotel. Brian and Lorin stayed on Lopez with Pake and Beppe.	Alie arranged a 3rd birthday party for Lorin and Brian. Elizabeth Snapp, the Dalton cousins, Laurel Ham-Horn and Emma Ewert attend.	The LGB train setup on the deck is a big hit with the boys.	Alison and Brian love the warm shallow water of Swifts Bay in the afternoon sun.	Alison loves to dress up, especially in hats.

1990 - Alison, 3 mos. old, visits Lopez for the first time. Construction of new shop. Visit to Bart's "Oma."
Bart, Brian and Oscar enjoy the Wynfall.	Baby Alison makes her first visit to Lopez.	Brian and Lorin hunt for crabs and other wiggly things.	A stunned bird rests on Bart's head before flying away.	Brian sits on a 'dozer on the site of the new shop, now "the studio," behind the old shop, now called "William."	Oma gives a big smile to her grandson.

1989 - This is a year of many visits: June after Klamath, August with Bart, and October for the tree cleanup.
Alie helps Brian toddle. Barbie and Brian visited in June between Klamath and the Olympic Peninsula.	Brian and Lorin share a first birthday party on Lopez.	Oscar at the tiller of the Wynfall. His shirt says "Old age and treachery will overcome youth and skill."	Oma with Brian and Bart. Oma has relaxed enough to remove her wig. Her hair is not all gray.	The logging trucks clear the windfallen firs. Alders will grow in the clearing.

1988 - The launch of the Wynfall. Family visits. Baby Brian meets Bart's Oma.
The Wynfall is launched at Fisherman Bay on Lopez on a blustery November day.	The new Wynfall sails between Lopez and Blakely with three generations on board.	A family portrait. Front: Mark, Brian, Lorin, Karen, Dan. Back: Oscar, Barbie, Alie, Bart.	Lorin and Brian in sleepers that Barbie made from Dutch fabric that Alie provided.	Bart, baby Brian and Bart's grandmother, Oma. Oma is wearing her perennial wig.

1987 - The Wynfall is under construction. Anacortes Arts and Crafts Festival.
Oscar and Alie on the deck of the Zwalker catamaran.	Barbie and Mark fix the sail of the little white sailboat.	Bart gets a ride in the Dodo, an old steam boat.	Karen rides in Tommy Thompson's Anacortes Railway engine at the Anacortes Arts and Crafts Festival..	Mark reflects in the Wynfall's nearly finished hull.	Bart and Oma outside her Warm Beach place.

1986 - A September visit. Barbie accompanies Oma to Lopez in November. Karen and Dan get married in December.
Alie takes on the job of interim Lopez Librarian. While doing this job, she hosts a houseful of fall visitors, houses Oma for several hectic weeks, and helps plan and put on Karen and Dan's wedding (and hosts another slew of houseguests).	Alie arranges a visit to Ken Lloyd's diminutive Lopez Island Railroad.	After Opa dies, Oma stays on Lopez for a few weeks until Oscar finds a place for her.	Karen and Dan get married at the Lopez Grange on the winter solstice. They had gotten engaged in Europe on the summer solstice.	Oscar uses his wedding baking skills to make Oliebollen for New Year's Eve. What a full year!

1985 - A warm and friendly summer visit. Sailing. An old fashioned harvest. Relaxation.
Boarding the Zwalker from the beach.	Harvest by steam and horse. The Sternbergs are fond of old machinery.	Bart (far right) takes a closer look at the antique thresher.	Oscar trims his beard on the deck.

1984 - Oscar and Alie's 30th anniversary, and our first. The new house is finished. We also come back for Christmas.
There's always time for a sail.	Gary and Barbara Phillips and Aggie Anker on the deck. They came up for the 30th Anniversary party.				Winter '84/'85 Mark wears his clogs in the snow.

1983 - We come to Lopez on our honeymoon. We buy land adjacent to Oscar and Alie's. There is snow in the winter.
My pictures are slides, so this section will have to wait until I can convert them.	After hectic wedding prep (thank you, Alie!) and the wedding and Victoria trip, we are tuckered out by the time we get to Lopez.	We spend some of our August honeymoon unwinding and the rest looking at all sorts of property on Lopez to be sure the piece next to Oscar and Alie is best for us.	During our winter visit we take a chilly winter walk out to Shark Reef. Jodi, Oscar, Bart and Alie.	Bart bundles up in the nippy weather. Watch for a snow on the deck picture her when I get my slides scanned.

1982 - Oscar and Alie build their house. Bart and I camp out to help for the summer, along with Mark and Jodi.
Oscar surveys the site of the future house. The old barn can be seen in this picture and in the one to the right.	We raise the first wall up after an afternoon downpour. This is the wall that can be seen on the right in the picture of the house with the rafters on.	Mark, Jodi, Bart and Barbie sleep in tents. We eat in the shop.	The call comes in that the Modesto house has sold.	When Alie and Barbie get back from emptying out the house in Modesto, the men have put up the trusses and attached the rafters.	We celebrate Christmas in the shop, since the house isn't done yet.

1981 - My first visit to Lopez.
My only visit to Lopez without a camera. What on earth am I thinking?	I fall in love with Lopez at first sight as we emerge from the woods near Odlin Park and I see a field with sheep. I don't know if Dwight has had sheep in that field before or since, but they secure my heart for Lopez in 1981.	Bart and Mark and I drive up in Big Chunky pulling the lifeboat We stop in Portland on the way to visit with the Deinums. Parking "No Parking" in downtown Portland was a bit of a trick. Bart is pleased that this new girlfriend of his can handle a suburban and a trailer on the freeway.	When we arrive to stay in the shop (before it becomes "William"), Jim Smith stops by to say he'd caught too many crabs in his crab pot and would we like some. Yum! While we are cleaning the crabs, Pauline Queen comes by with extra salmon from the cannery for us. More Yum! What a wonderful welcome.	Bart and Mark spend some time "messing about in boats." They rig up a sort of catamaran with the Klepper and some styrofoam blocks and rope and driftwood. I do a sketch of it, which alarms them somewhat as they aren't sure such boat shenanigans are approved and don't want a record. The cat is out of the bag now.	I find a bargain brown fleece at an arts and crafts sale. It is unwashed, but it is a gorgeous color and a great price. I didn't know how volatile the odor of a fleece could be until we drive down through the central valley in July in an un-airconditioned suburban. Bart and Mark are amazingly polite about it.