Summer Sunrise, Aleck Bay

My favorite view across the bay, just as the sun broke the distant horizon across Rosario  Straits, but still behind the finger of Lopez Island protruding into the bay in the far distance. 

Two long-time artist friends, Nancy and Pat, made a surprise visit, seating themselves very quietly on beach chairs, 50' behind me to observe. I felt quite comfortable painting in their presence, even catching up on art talk, which extended to the famous Beat Poet Jack Kerouac's summer of isolation atop a fire lookout at "Desolation Peak, in the north Cascades (1956). We figured he had probably passed through Edison and Bow, hitchhiking to Marblemount for fire school training, because Edison and Bow are still, like, very cool places and full of artists. 

This spot at Aleck Bay on Lopez Island brings a peaceful conversation to all who stop long enough to hear and speak it.