On a cold February day, the Valentine was walking the Dike Road wearing a down jacket to protect her from the light, cold rain. Uncharacteristically, she decided to dip her toe into the cold water, where it met the wet sand.

            Suddenly, with random abandon, she tore off first the jacket and then everything else.  She plunged into the water without considering that her chocolate might melt.  She swam out past the wooden posts and was swept away by the current.  She swooshed over Post Falls,  propelled past Spokane and soon was floating the Columbia out to the Pacific.

            A kayaker was lost, probably out beyond his skill level…but came upon her.  He helped her aboard and started paddling toward shore. Just then a huge storm roared to them, just short of tsunami and gave them a ride… into the protection of the San Juan Islands.  The kayak slowed down to body surf and landed ashore in Bellingham.

            Happy Leap Years Valentine’s Day!