Whidbey Island's smaller towns offer some soul-satisfying celebrations for those seeking a return to closely knit community life. Coupeville's Memorial Day Parade was a fantastic chance to see friends and neighbors parading, lining the street and all-in-all having a great day.
Among my very favorite sights of the day were the following:
A big green John Deere Tractor rig ridden by a local farmer chariot-style, followed up smartly by a brigade of little tykes riding their miniature versions, all doing amazingly proficient "parade waves".
A little pony cart that decided to stall out part way through the route, graced by little unflappable Thora Iverson, whose dad was ahead on the route, looking plucked from the pages of a Dr. Seuss book. Mom Heidi was also parading with the dog agility team, putting her dog through some impressive paces.
Hunter Newton in his Navy dress whites, carrying baby Eva in a little sailor dress, proudly exiting military service after 24 years!