Camano Island got its name from explorer

It’s really “Caamano” Island, pronounced kah-mahn-yo. It was named after Spaniard explorer Jacinto Caamano.

I learned that at Camano Island State Park, where they have fun and informative programs planned at 7:30 Saturday nights all summer.

To be honest, I wouldn’t recommend driving to the end of the island just for the programs, but do make a day or weekend of it. The gorgeous grounds, right on the bay, include a big field for kite flying. Or camp or park the motor home.

When you enter the park and come to a T in the road, go left. There wasn’t a sign, and we got lost. The show is near a little sign that says “Amphitheater.” We missed it.

The cute outdoor theater has long wooden benches on a dirt floor and an ample stage area. Bugs swarmed incessantly.

Park manager Tom Riggs had a delightful array of props and referred to a long list of explorers listed on a handy wipe-off board. He portrayed Caamano and could have fooled several children in attendance because he was dressed for the occasion in high black boots, a full overcoat, shirt and vest, and carried a dangerous-looking renaissance rapier and replica flintlock pistol.

Riggs said Spanish explorer Manuel Quimper, after whom the Jefferson County’s Quimper Peninsula was named, found what he believed to be a bay. He named it Boca de Caamano after his commanding officer, Lt. Cdr. Jacinto Caamano.

“Later, Capt. Francisco Eliza realized the bay was in fact an opening to a larger body of water, so he renamed it Ensenada de Caamano,” Riggs said.

“In 1792, British Capt. George Vancouver was given a map made during the Eliza expedition. When Vancouver renamed Ensenada de Caamano as Admiralty Inlet after the British admiralty, he preserved the name Caamano, although he spelled it wrong, by moving it to what is now Camano Island.”

I used to live on Camano and didn’t know that. What fun. Riggs, who has a degree in outdoor recreation from Central Washington University in Ellensburg, said God called him to be a park ranger.

When Riggs portrayed Caamano using a wonderful Spanish accent, he said his language coach was watching Antonio Banderas movies and listening to the “Evita” soundtrack.

Riggs, who cut quite a dashing figure, enjoys costuming, and his wife, Heather, sews. His period outfit gave full character to the lecture. To depict a member of the Spanish Navy, he used medieval costuming experience and embellished upon a pirate outfit.

“I have done medieval costuming for years, and even hosted an annual boffing (fake sword fighting) tournament and costume competition,” Riggs said. “I also play Dungeons and Dragons, and I own the ‘Lord of the Rings’ trilogy on DVD – extended edition, naturally.”

“I, for one, am very proud of the quality and variety of weekly programs we are able to pull together each summer,” Riggs said. “This is my first park with formal interpretive programs in an actual amphitheater.”

Go exploring, pack bug repellent and learn something on a warm Saturday night on Caamano, er, Camano Island.

Columnist Kristi O’Harran: 425-339-3451 or oharran@heraldnet.com.

Upcoming events

Upcoming programs, all at 7:30 p.m., at Camano Island State Park, 2269 S. Lowell Point Road, Camano Island, are:

Saturday: Jeff Hogan, killer whale tales.

July 9: Sue Murphy and Sheila Pera, Pilchuck Wildlife-Washington State University-Island County Beach Watcher, wildlife on Camano Island.

July 16: Dick Wagner, Center for Wooden Boats, “Amazing and Somewhat True Stories of Traditional Boats.”

July 23: Peg Hayes-Tipton, WSU-Island County Beach Watcher, eagles.

July 30: Dodie Markey, WSU-Island County Beach Watcher, gray whales.

Aug. 6: Maya Groner, Padilla Bay Reserve, “Estuary Soup.”

Aug. 13: Bromley Henningsen, Washington Water Trails Association, nonmotorized trailways.

Aug. 20: Laurie Wheeler and Bec Thomas, “Where Did My Clothes Come From?”