You don’t have to look at the printed ferry schedule.
You see more boats in driveways than on the water.
You depend on the Island Sounder for accurate information.
You know the difference between AIA, AICC, AICFC, AICTF, AICAB, AIHS, AIFD and belong to more than one.
You know how to pronounce Vega Bay and Camus Road.
You know what a Communication Box is.
You see nothing wrong with stopping your vehicle in the middle of the road to talk to someone.
Costco has a special place in your life.
You are able to recognize certain deer personally.
You catch yourself waving to passing cars when you are on the mainland.
At one time, you thought you knew which plants were deer resistant.
You wonder if the two consecutive sunny days you experience mark the end of the rainy season.
You consider someone’s cutting in the ferry line to be a felony.
You know the best spots for picking blackberries, but won’t share the locations.
Without looking up, you can tell the difference between an Army helicopter and a medical evacuation helicopter.
You are tempted to leave the island on summer holiday weekends.
You know at least three, unrelated families with the surname of Anderson.
You know which two mornings of the year that the sun rises directly behind Mr. Rainier.
You know at least two people who have had trees fall on their homes.
You can immediately tell the difference between a red rock crab and a Dungeness crab.
You are aware that any airline travel may require at least one night’s stay at Sea-Tac.
You own a generator and plenty of fuel.
You use the terms “Riv,” “Swimming Hole” “Farm” and “Old School.”
You breathe a sigh of relief the weekend after Labor Day.
When asked for your phone number, you give out only the last four digits.
You never put your plaid flannel shirts in summer storage.
You never refer to the free phone books that are published by the phone companies for information about Anderson Island.
When meeting for dinner out, the only answer you need is “when” and not “where.”
You know where on the island you can and cannot get cell phone service.
You get tired of explaining to people that you do NOT live in the San Juans.
You suspect there are thousands of golf balls hidden among clumps of salal.
You know at least five different services provided by White’s.
You understand that people don’t have to agree with your politics or religion to be good friends.
You know people who have the same names as some of the streets.
You know which shed holds which items at the Island General Store.
You value the importance of planning ahead.
You think twice before taking a trip to the mainland on the Friday before a holiday weekend.
You know precisely what time your mail arrives.
When someone asks you, “How are you?” they are really interested in how you are.
You don’t plant flowers in your yard unless you have a high fence.
You think of “our” bald eagles as part of the family
You think that the only force in the universe that can exceed the speed of light is gossip.
You don’t consider raccoons to be “cute.”
You know the importance of the term “fuel run.”
You believe that the Great Equalizer is not death, but the ferry.
You have mastered the art of trip pooling.
You look forward to meeting your friends on the day the library is open.
No matter what you do, moss will grow on it or deer will eat it.
You can name at least three on-island bands.
You eventually run into everyone you know at a garage sale.
You know that anyone driving on the road more than a half hour after the last ferry is probably lost.
You know that using the excuse, “I have to catch a ferry” will get you out of nearly every uncomfortable situation, whether you are on the island or the mainland.
This article gratefully used with John Mollan’s permission.
Anderson Island, WA
Sarah : +1 253-377-6116
OldLadyWithAttitude@gmail.com