OpenRoad Driver Volume 11 Issue 1 | Page 21

Volume 11 Issue 1 » 21 is a particularly delicious place. In a seven-course dinner that he serves several nights a week, he reveals a myriad of concoctions that tantalize the tongue with their freshness, innovative pairings of flavours and emphasis on locality, for all are grown on Whidbey Island or close by. “It never ceases to amaze me how rich and bountiful this landscape is,” says Costello, who collects wild chanterelle mushrooms on his daily jog. “People are growing phenomenal food here.” The seven-course dinner is a long one, so don’t book it if you have small kids in tow. The Inn at Langley 400 First Street, Langley, WA, USA, 98260 1 (360) 221-3033, innatlangley.com Langley Chamber of Commerce 208 Anthes Avenue, Langley, WA, USA, 98260 1 (360) 221-6765, visitlangley.com Whidbey Island is a browser’s heaven, with a fantastic assortment of local artists and artisans. At the Chocolate Flower Farm in Langley we inhaled chocolate-scented candles, while at Callahan’s Firehouse we tried glass blowing, coming up with our own unique creations. At Coupeville’s Lavender Wind Farm we sampled lavender chocolate chip cookies and blueberry lavender jam, and at Cook on Clay we picked up handcrafted clay pots for the kitchen. Our journey along the picturesque Whidbey Scenic Isle Way was peppered with interesting stops, delectable food and salt-of-the-earth islanders, farmers and artisans who love what they do and aren’t afraid to show it. chocolateflowerfarm.com callahansfirehouse.com lavendarwind.com cookonclay.com This is an island packed with personality and character. To truly appreciate it, you need just one tank of gas and the pleasure of a relaxed, carefree weekend. W H E N YO U G O Getting there: First off, make sure you’re not rushed on the drive. Google maps told us the journey from Vancouver to Langley, on the island’s southeast corner, takes just under three hours, but good old Google has never sat in a Peace Arch crossing lineup. If the border doesn’t add extra time, Deception Pass definitely will, as a stop here is mandatory. So if you’re this way, give yourself a good four-and-a-half hours to get there, pack some food for the road, fuel up and get comfortable. And if you’re traveling with kids, be sure to bring the DVD player with you. From the Peace Arch border crossing, take the Interstate Highway 5 to exit 230 and follow the signs to Deception Pass. Information: WhidbeyCamanoIslands.com 1 (888) 747-7777