Wescott Bay Shellfish
17-Jul-2005
My first stop on San Juan Island on Friday morning was out at Wescott Bay Shellfish Farms. Here you have the opportunity to purchase oysters, clams and mussels fresh from the waters of the bay. After harvesting, the shellfish are kept in tanks with the saltwater from the bay constantly being circulated through them so they are just one half step away from their natural environment. The only way to get them any fresher is to actually pick them from the waters yourself!
This is a total do-it-yourself operation. You make your selections and then head to the office to report what you’re purchasing, make your payment and that’s it. Last year, when I stayed on island, I stayed in a house directly across the bay from this farm. On the first day, as I was driving to the house, I stopped by and bought several pounds of mussels which we had for dinner that night. However, the preferred method of visiting the farm was simply to kayak across the bay, tie up at the dock, pick up dinner and then kayak back home!
On this day I was only to be disappointed, though. When I approached the gate I was met with a "Closed" sign. I kept my fingers crossed that they had just forgotten to change it for the day since I was there during normal hours. I made my way down the windy, gravel road to the facility only to find empty tanks. There were a couple people working out in the bay but no one on the grounds. :-( I was sad. I was denied the beautiful fresh brininess I was seeking. Oh, well. I’ll just have to settle for shellfish from Pike Place or one of the neighborhood markets when I return home.
Culinary Fool 
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