Tom Kaye's Shaw Story

HERE ARE a few pretty badly taken photographs from back in the day on Shaw Island. I wish their quality was better! But they sure do bring back memories. So many recollections of running around somewhat feral with my best buddies, especially Shawn Mick. Getting swim bracelets with ribbons for all kinds of crazy things we did, everything from going out in the canoe to seeing a bald eagle. Squishing jellyfish at night so we could see them glow on our hands (looking back, rather gross). Marching out to the high point by the shore to watch Towny Angell get married. Building and using outhouses that hung out over the water.

Getting stung by yellowjackets and rushed back to the house because no one knew if I was allergic. Watching Neil Smith crash his bike on the way to the store at the ferry landing, and riding back so hard that I could hardly breathe and explaining what happened, then having John Angell drive so fast down to the store only to find Neil sitting there smiling, with an ice cream cone in his hand. Sitting around the campfire singing songs with John. Truly, the best of times.

Hand feeding slop to Rosie, the pig. And being shocked that she was going to be eaten at the end of the season. Playing spoons and liars dice on the Oceanid on the way to Friday Harbor. Hay rides in the wagon! Catching grasshoppers. Loads of grasshoppers. I don’t have any recollection of sleeping, but I suppose we did. I think we invented childhood at Shaw Island.

— Tom Kaye, 2025

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Campers and hay wagon; John Angell and blue MLC van; campers try carrot-and-stick with donkey.