Dolly and Shelby

Dolly and Shelby Russell

Marrowstone Point. 23 February 2012.

Two of my all time favorite dogs, Dolly and Shelby are beach treats.

Or, should I say, Dolly loves nothing better than to beat Monsoon to

beach treats...........shriveled shore crabs, a special menu item tossed with fresh eelgrass. 

These are Karen and Chuck's dogs........Karen and Chuck Russell, true

community people. They are the ones who keep people in good steaks, fish and chips,

and refreshements at their Valley Tavern in Hadlock.

Karen is our historian, having written the Marrowstone Island History, now

out of print, but available down at the Nordland Store. Chuck flew helicopters in war time and

to haul logs from tough terrain. They both keep our local hospital functioning..........

I asked her tonight when she was going to bring out the revised edition of her book...........

we'll await her reply, along with Karen's stories about Dolly, Shelby, and life on the island

with her family and many, many friends.

I count myself lucky to be one of her walking partners. We meet up at the beach

often enough. Tonight, the tide was out far enough to allow a little bit of agate

hunting and Karen found her first of the year! A treasure to be sure. 

While Monsoon chased stick, Shelby walked along with us as Dolly lagged far behind,

content to sniff out her crunchy meals. In the distance, we could hear the sea lions barking 

on Craven Rock. Karen taught me yet another lesson in local history, saying

this entire peninsula and islands were once known as Craven Peninsula after some

guy who came out here with Vancouver. Or was it Wilkes. Will let you know..........