San Juan Islands

It was hard to imagine how we could ever add to this Washington State vacation, we had seen tulips galore, took a drive around the shores that looked into the San Juan’s, we explored Deception Pass by foot and boat, we experienced life’s splendor on the North Cascades Highway, and even sampled local cheese, microbrews, and olives. How could one possibly improve on this? Hopping on a ferry bound for the San Juans sounded like a fine idea, and indeed it was.

The San Juan’s are a peaceful archipelago that is pure Northwest. It is home to the endangered Pacific Northwest Orcas, it is a place of culture, beauty, peace, and so much more. The ferry leaves from the city of Anacortes, an industry town that has all the charm of an industry town. Walking on the ferry is easy and for a only $11 you get very affordable island cruise. Lasting just over an hour there is plenty of time to sit back and enjoy the view. The weather was with us as the sun shone down on us without a single cloud to filter its power. The ferry left the dock and headed toward Friday Harbor while passing Lopez Island, the tranquil Shaw Island, and the large Orcas Island with Mt. Constitution. San Juan island is home to Friday Harbor, the largest city in the San Juan’s. As we cruise through the islands exceptional views of Mt. Baker take our breath away. Sailboats and power boats sail or speed along creating a longing in me to set sail and enjoy the solitude, stillness, and pure beauty of the Northwest waters. Alas, I sit on my temporary throne that is perfectly front and center of the Washington State ferry looking out on the water, skies, and shores. I take the time to enjoy each moment of bliss I’m being given. I have the freedom to get up and walk around the deck of the ferry and I take that freedom to attempt capturing an image of the beauty that surrounds me. A futile attempt. Then the ferry horn sounds and the announcement tells me to get ready to disembark as we are approaching Friday Harbor.

As we disembark in Friday harbor we are instantly struck by the sights , smells, and wonders of this Island life. We decide ice cream is first and foremost on our agenda and quickly head to the “Homemade Ice Cream” sign. Delicious free homemade cookies are offered as these wonders happened to escape the attention of their baker and ended up over baked. I didn’t mind as it was a perfect compliment to the coffee ice cream delicious flavor. I indulge as we walk along the waterfront bound for the Whale Museum. When we arrive at the museum I quickly adopt an orca, Slick (J-16), and enthusiastically enter the museum to learn about the plight of greatest Northwest mammal. Industry, fishing, and pollution is downright depressing and killing our treasured Puget Sound at an alarming rate. We continue to meander through the city and find a waterfront place to sip a cocktail and enjoy a nibble. As we await our sunset sailing back to Anacortes, friendly island folk begin to emerge and are set apart from the tourists that seem to overtake the waterfront by day. The ferry arrives and we walk on as the sun begins to descend below the islands’ hills. The perfect coda.

This was another great trip exploring the spectacular Pacific Northwest and unfortunately it had come to an end. I grasp on to these moments for the happiness they bring and the experience of pure joy. The colors in the sky are as abundant as the life that surrounds us.

The few clouds reflect hues of purple, pink, orange, and red that no camera can adequately capture. The peaceful islands are beginning to call it a night and quietly begin their slumber. The ferry cruises through these waters no where near alone, but yet the solitude is felt as we round various buoys. As we see the lights of Fidalgo Island, the gateway to the San Juan’s, we are reminded once again that we live in land with such wonderful metropolitan cities such as Seattle, Tacoma, and even Bellingham that within hours and sometimes even minutes we can escape to a unique beauty that is beyond true comparison. We live in a land where water meets mountains, and rain forest meets desert. We live in land that grows some of the world’s finest wines, brews the countries best beers, grows, delicious fruits and vegetable, and where fresh seafood and meats can satisfy even the pickiest of gourmands. No matter how much I travel this vast world, trips such as I had in the past week remind me that whenever I can come home, I will never be lacking in beauty here at home.