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Longbranch Chronicles

By David Montesino: Life on Washington State's Key Peninsula

dmontesino@yahoo.com

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MY PAGES

  • About me
  • Farm Stories: People on the Key Peninsula
    • Life on the Farm With the ‘Funny Name’
    • Sheep Dogs go Paw-to-Paw at Ol’ McDonald’s Farm
    • Immersive Key Peninsula Tour Offers Sweet Taste of Farm Life
    • KP Farm Tour 2013
    • Farm Tour 2014
    • Key Peninsula Cooperative is Spearhead of Fresh Food Revolution
  • Photos of Longbranch
  • The El Primero: An Old Lady and her stories
    • ‘Friday Historians’ talk about El Primero’s past, future
    • Another Baby Step to Coming Home by El Primero
    • Brush with Historic El Primero
    • Q&A about the El Primero
    • Taft a frequent guest aboard El Primero in Longbranch, deductive historian says
  • Tropical Escape: A Philippine homecoming

Top Posts & Pages

  • Getting home on the Herron Island ferry
  • The bells will toll in Vaughn Bay
  • CORRECTION: Spaghetti Social
  • Behind the story of the Key Peninsula Chicken Lady
  • Canadian Trawler Spotted in Longbranch Waterway
  • Beautiful Memorial Day on the Key Peninsula
  • El Primero: Group seeks permanent Tacoma home for Longbranch regular
  • Brush with Historic El Primero
  • Q&A about the El Primero
  • Longbranch is back to its normal wet period of year; burn ban lifted
December 2019
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birds boat commute Drayton Passage Dumaguete farm Farm Stories fog gas prices General gig harbor Henderson Bay home key peninsula lakebay lakebay marina Longbranch longbranch improvement club marina moon Philippines puget sound Purdy Rainier snapshot sunrise washington water weather winter

Recent Posts

  • Lady Justice doesn’t stop for sleet, snow
  • Waterlogged souls rejoice, sun in the forecast
  • Remembering record snowfall in Longbranch, Key Peninsula
  • Super encounter with blood wolf moon, total lunar eclipse
  • Sweating effortlessly ‘Cuz it’s too darn hot’

Archives

weather

Lady Justice doesn’t stop for sleet, snow

Snow falls in Longbranch for the first time this year, and I have jury duty. It was an easy drive … Continue reading Lady Justice doesn’t stop for sleet, snow

Waterlogged souls rejoice, sun in the forecast
General

Waterlogged souls rejoice, sun in the forecast

Sunshine is finally in the forecast after days of gray and gloom along Drayton Passage. The forecast for today through … Continue reading Waterlogged souls rejoice, sun in the forecast

Remembering record snowfall in Longbranch, Key Peninsula
General

Remembering record snowfall in Longbranch, Key Peninsula

A 9-foot snowman, a baby’s arrival, a ditched SUV were just some of the memories Key Peninsula residents had of … Continue reading Remembering record snowfall in Longbranch, Key Peninsula

Super encounter with blood wolf moon, total lunar eclipse
General

Super encounter with blood wolf moon, total lunar eclipse

The coyotes began to howl — joined in shortly by the Goofy Goldendoodle — and the sea lions grunted and barked as the moon began to blush. Continue reading Super encounter with blood wolf moon, total lunar eclipse

Sweating effortlessly ‘Cuz it’s too darn hot’
Longbranch

Sweating effortlessly ‘Cuz it’s too darn hot’

Half past noon and the mercury in Longbranch is flirting with 90 degrees. My sweat is flowing effortlessly. The goofy … Continue reading Sweating effortlessly ‘Cuz it’s too darn hot’

A Sturgeon Moon rising minus the fish
Filucy Bay

A Sturgeon Moon rising minus the fish

It would have been nice to have the fish to go with its namesake full moon: the Full Sturgeon Moon. … Continue reading A Sturgeon Moon rising minus the fish

Breezy Longbranch summer sailing show
Drayton Passage

Breezy Longbranch summer sailing show

The graceful dance of a sailor at the end of a journey can be quite a performance as he drops … Continue reading Breezy Longbranch summer sailing show

Dog days perfect for paddling
Drayton Passage

Dog days perfect for paddling

Dog days of summer are upon us. Temperatures in Longbranch are soaring into the 90s our private road has to … Continue reading Dog days perfect for paddling

Free camp for military kids — including canoes and ziplines: priceless
key peninsula

Free camp for military kids — including canoes and ziplines: priceless

Jean-Luc Rivera knows what it’s like to be a military kid. His mom was a Marine for 22 years. Born … Continue reading Free camp for military kids — including canoes and ziplines: priceless

A little magic dust transforms Key Peninsula fairy camp into real fun
key peninsula

A little magic dust transforms Key Peninsula fairy camp into real fun

Nothing like a little magic dust to transform a walk in the park into a fairy tale wonderland of wings … Continue reading A little magic dust transforms Key Peninsula fairy camp into real fun

Beautiful Memorial Day on the Key Peninsula
Longbranch

Beautiful Memorial Day on the Key Peninsula

What a wonderful way to start the day. Hardly a cloud in the sky, all is calm in Longbranch as … Continue reading Beautiful Memorial Day on the Key Peninsula

Longbranch lose power after truck plows into power pole
key peninsula

Longbranch lose power after truck plows into power pole

As a warm breeze blew through Longbranch, my lovely bride and I sat on our deck waiting for the power … Continue reading Longbranch lose power after truck plows into power pole

Watching Eagles a Treat No Matter Where
washington

Watching Eagles a Treat No Matter Where

Watching bald eagles, no matter where, is always a treat. So an invitation from fellow journalist Adam Lynn to catch … Continue reading Watching Eagles a Treat No Matter Where

Key Peninsula Horse Show Gives Kids A Ride of Confidence
Farm Stories

Key Peninsula Horse Show Gives Kids A Ride of Confidence

NevAeh Baker tugged tightly on the rope that kept her horse Cookie by her side. Her eyes intently focused on … Continue reading Key Peninsula Horse Show Gives Kids A Ride of Confidence

Spring in Longbranch comes to life in all shades of wonderful
key peninsula

Spring in Longbranch comes to life in all shades of wonderful

  When a throng gathered earlier this month in Gobbler’s Knob, Pennsylvania, awaiting the emergence of the groundhog named Punxsutawney … Continue reading Spring in Longbranch comes to life in all shades of wonderful

Snow finally falls over Drayton Passage
Longbranch

Snow finally falls over Drayton Passage

I love the snow. The big flaky kind that lazily float down and land on your nose like a wet kiss. … Continue reading Snow finally falls over Drayton Passage

Sun closest to Earth on this cold winter day
Longbranch

Sun closest to Earth on this cold winter day

Frost is crawling up the cedar planks on our deck, our sun deserted us a few ticks before the 5 … Continue reading Sun closest to Earth on this cold winter day

Cold, clear morning in Longbranch mean icy conditions
key peninsula

Cold, clear morning in Longbranch mean icy conditions

I feared the worst on my commute this morning. Temperatures had dropped to the low 30s overnight, and with clear … Continue reading Cold, clear morning in Longbranch mean icy conditions

Playing in snow on the Key Peninsula
Longbranch

Playing in snow on the Key Peninsula

Longbranch was spared most of the snow that fell on the Key Peninsula Sunday. Judging from posts on Facebook, the … Continue reading Playing in snow on the Key Peninsula

Rare full moon rises on Christmas Day
Longbranch

Rare full moon rises on Christmas Day

Rare celestial happenings are a treat — especially a full moon on Christmas Day. Although seeing it from Longbranch is … Continue reading Rare full moon rises on Christmas Day

2015: Christmas morning in Longbranch
key peninsula

2015: Christmas morning in Longbranch

Mayo Cove was all quiet Christmas morning as a leaden sky hung heavy over Douglas firs. A light rain fell … Continue reading 2015: Christmas morning in Longbranch

Dreaming of a white Christmas in Longbranch
key peninsula

Dreaming of a white Christmas in Longbranch

At 3:46 p.m. Tuesday Dec. 22, 2015, we marched into the longest night and shortest day of the year. I … Continue reading Dreaming of a white Christmas in Longbranch

Purdy Bridge is focus of Port Orchard shutterbugs
key peninsula

Purdy Bridge is focus of Port Orchard shutterbugs

Continue reading Purdy Bridge is focus of Port Orchard shutterbugs

Horse and big red ram share road in Longbranch
key peninsula

Horse and big red ram share road in Longbranch

Life in the country has its privileges. Big open spaces with hardly any vehicular traffic. Vistas that never tire the … Continue reading Horse and big red ram share road in Longbranch

Young eagle soars over Longbranch
Longbranch

Young eagle soars over Longbranch

A break in the rain brought out a young bald eagle to a perch on our bank. Unlike its more … Continue reading Young eagle soars over Longbranch

Scents of sweet cinnamon and hot cocoa are swirling in my head
Longbranch

Scents of sweet cinnamon and hot cocoa are swirling in my head

  It has been over a week since we last saw the sun’s golden glow on Drayton Passage. The weather … Continue reading Scents of sweet cinnamon and hot cocoa are swirling in my head

More freezing fog on the Key Peninsula
Longbranch

More freezing fog on the Key Peninsula

Our lovely Thanksgiving Day sunrise is but a misty memory. According to the weather geeks, expect more freezing fog this … Continue reading More freezing fog on the Key Peninsula

Frigid, Foggy Morning in Longbranch
weather

Frigid, Foggy Morning in Longbranch

It was foggy and freezing on the Key Peninsula this morning. We woke up on Drayton Passage to a thick … Continue reading Frigid, Foggy Morning in Longbranch

Chasing a Beaver Moon from Longbranch to Herron Point
key peninsula

Chasing a Beaver Moon from Longbranch to Herron Point

Walking on the frosty crust of the beach below the Herron Island ferry landing early Thursday morning, all I could … Continue reading Chasing a Beaver Moon from Longbranch to Herron Point

Goodbye Sunshine, Hello Rain in Longbranch
Filucy Bay

Goodbye Sunshine, Hello Rain in Longbranch

Say hello to rain, goodbye sunshine — at least through Tuesday. According to the National Weather Service rain is coming … Continue reading Goodbye Sunshine, Hello Rain in Longbranch

Longbranch Power Outage Make for Cozy Saturday Morning
weather

Longbranch Power Outage Make for Cozy Saturday Morning

After almost three full days of rain, the pond is swollen and the woods bloated. The ducks are happy, and … Continue reading Longbranch Power Outage Make for Cozy Saturday Morning

My Favorite Pictures of Longbranch in 2015
Longbranch

My Favorite Pictures of Longbranch in 2015

One of the things I wanted to do when my Lovely Bride and I moved to Longbranch was to try … Continue reading My Favorite Pictures of Longbranch in 2015

Annual Rite of Autumn fill Minter Creek With Hopeful Anglers
key peninsula

Annual Rite of Autumn fill Minter Creek With Hopeful Anglers

As the bite of autumn chill arrives on the Key Peninsula, anglers from Tacoma descend on a bend of Minter … Continue reading Annual Rite of Autumn fill Minter Creek With Hopeful Anglers

Canadian Trawler Spotted in Longbranch Waterway
Drayton Passage

Canadian Trawler Spotted in Longbranch Waterway

The Canada Coast Guard Ship W.E. Ricker rumbled down Drayton Passage in the silvery glaze of the morning haze. Her … Continue reading Canadian Trawler Spotted in Longbranch Waterway

Camp Colman experience empowers children to swing beyond comfort zone
key peninsula

Camp Colman experience empowers children to swing beyond comfort zone

Like foraging ants, dozens of students, parents and teachers methodically combed a piece of beach on the Key Peninsula last … Continue reading Camp Colman experience empowers children to swing beyond comfort zone

Marking a Super Moon and Eclipse with a Longbranch Moondance
Drayton Passage

Marking a Super Moon and Eclipse with a Longbranch Moondance

It was, as Van Morrison sang, a marvelous night for a moondance. A crisp September night with the leaves starting … Continue reading Marking a Super Moon and Eclipse with a Longbranch Moondance

Super Moon, Lunar Eclipse Combine for Spectacular Show over Longbranch
key peninsula

Super Moon, Lunar Eclipse Combine for Spectacular Show over Longbranch

A celestial spectacle is expected to occur above us this evening if the sky over Longbranch stays clear. The rare … Continue reading Super Moon, Lunar Eclipse Combine for Spectacular Show over Longbranch

Longbranch Summer Makes Encore Appearance
weather

Longbranch Summer Makes Encore Appearance

Sure looks like summer is making an encore appearance this week. The weather geeks say the high today will hit … Continue reading Longbranch Summer Makes Encore Appearance

Gig Harbor Crush Peninsula 40-14 in 37th Fish Bowl
fishbowl

Gig Harbor Crush Peninsula 40-14 in 37th Fish Bowl

There was no question who the better team was at the 37th edition of the Fish Bowl at Friday night. … Continue reading Gig Harbor Crush Peninsula 40-14 in 37th Fish Bowl

Key Peninsula’s Favorite Pony Runaway Ray off to Greener Pastures
key peninsula

Key Peninsula’s Favorite Pony Runaway Ray off to Greener Pastures

Runaway Ray has left for greener pastures. The partially blind Shetland who stole many hearts on the Key Peninsula died … Continue reading Key Peninsula’s Favorite Pony Runaway Ray off to Greener Pastures

Beating the Heat in Gig Harbor on a Paddle Boat
gig harbor

Beating the Heat in Gig Harbor on a Paddle Boat

Judging from the cloud cover over Drayton Passage, things are cooling off a bit today. But not enough to lift … Continue reading Beating the Heat in Gig Harbor on a Paddle Boat

Blue Moon Spectacle Seen in Longbranch
Longbranch

Blue Moon Spectacle Seen in Longbranch

Once in a blue moon, along Drayton Passage, we are treated to a show as spectacular as a summer moon … Continue reading Blue Moon Spectacle Seen in Longbranch

Voice of Key Peninsula Bluegrass Minstrels Wow Longbranch Crowd
Longbranch

Voice of Key Peninsula Bluegrass Minstrels Wow Longbranch Crowd

A star was born, it seemed, when Nicole Johnson wowed the crowd of more than 200 at the Longbranch Bluegrass … Continue reading Voice of Key Peninsula Bluegrass Minstrels Wow Longbranch Crowd

Behind the story of the Key Peninsula Chicken Lady
Farm Stories

Behind the story of the Key Peninsula Chicken Lady

Funny how stories are found and told. A few days ago I came across one of the funniest (to me … Continue reading Behind the story of the Key Peninsula Chicken Lady

Longbranch Bluegrass & Barbecue Festival a hit with feet, bellies
key peninsula

Longbranch Bluegrass & Barbecue Festival a hit with feet, bellies

It’s something I was born with, what you get is what you see, I’m just an old hillbilly with a … Continue reading Longbranch Bluegrass & Barbecue Festival a hit with feet, bellies

Longbranch Summer Takes a Chill Pill
Drayton Passage

Longbranch Summer Takes a Chill Pill

Good morning Longbranch. It has been a while — a very long while — since my last post. This morning … Continue reading Longbranch Summer Takes a Chill Pill

A Love Letter to My Mom
Longbranch

A Love Letter to My Mom

My heart hides a hard truth: My mother and I have been strangers for most of my life. She didn’t … Continue reading A Love Letter to My Mom

Full Moon in Longbranch a Sublime Sight
Drayton Passage

Full Moon in Longbranch a Sublime Sight

We live in a wonderful part of the world. From red sunrises to golden moonrises, pods of Orcas playing in … Continue reading Full Moon in Longbranch a Sublime Sight

Orcas Pop Up in Longbranch, Key Peninsula
Drayton Passage

Orcas Pop Up in Longbranch, Key Peninsula

A pod of orcas popped out of Drayton’s Passage just as the wind began to pick up Saturday evening, forcing … Continue reading Orcas Pop Up in Longbranch, Key Peninsula

Blood moon, red sunrises, fiery blooms: Red is the Thing in Longbranch
key peninsula

Blood moon, red sunrises, fiery blooms: Red is the Thing in Longbranch

It seems red has been the color of the week. If you happened to be up at 3 this morning, … Continue reading Blood moon, red sunrises, fiery blooms: Red is the Thing in Longbranch

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