San Juan

Everyone should come and visit and explore the amazing San Juan Island. It isn't a personal opinion just a fact that others need to realize. For those unaware. San Juan Island is in North Puget Sound. I don't think I have ever been to a place more beautiful and relaxing. And since I happen to have great friends that invited my crazy family to stay with them for the weekend I got to have a relaxing weekend at the end of July.

We began our adventure with a quick stop at the Donut House. I mean it was on the way (mostly). Which put us in line for the 9:00 ferry from Anacortes to Friday Harbor. When we got on the ferry we were a bit skeptical about the prospects of the trip when we were meet with this...

About half way through the ferry ride the fog cleared and we ended up with a beautiful sailing. Well other than the fact that 3 of charges decided to go on a self guided tour of the ferry. But, other than that 15 minute of panic it was a great ride.










Once at Friday Harbor the boys wanted to explore the marina. We saw some huge yachts. Wow. Eric and I felt liked we had stepped into someone else's world.

We ate our lunch at a restaurant that was 3 stories with each floor giving a beautiful view of the harbor below. We chose to eat outside and enjoy the warm Northwest. Well 65 we thought it was warm!
5 of us had the greatest fish and chips I have ever tasted. 1 hot dog.
Then off the explore the island. Our first stop took us to American Camp. Which for those of you unfamiliar with your American History is the encampment to the US troop during the Great Pig War. (Really look it up).
A monkey in the tree above, and the troop scout out the enemy below.
Stop number two................
Climbing the cliff a the beach.
And following our fearless leader (Eric) who insisted he knew the way to the Lighthouse. Well he got us there but I am positive he followed no trail on the map and I think we would have been safer climbing the cliff side with a rope and harness. But there were no broken arms and only a little sunburn and dehydration.

After exhausting the tag a longs we drove north. We took the scenic route and let everyone sleep.
Our next stop was at English Camp. We got there just before 5:00 p.m. The camp was closing down for the night and the rangers asked our family to bring down the Union Jack. I have been a few flag ceremonies in my life, but this was the biggest heaviest flag I have ever seen. We had fun though.

And I hate to seem unpatriotic but if you were judging the camp on beauty along. the English totally would have won. They was a beautiful English Garden. Huge oak tree that were there when the English occupied the camp. And buildings. The Americans didn't seem to think building were all that important.




So by this point we were a little tired and very thirsty. We made our next stop Roche Harbor. And I think it must be the playground for some very wealthy people. I felt I had been transported to a movie scene played out on the East Coast with the Ivy League college kids borrowing their parents million dollar yachts.
We grabbed snack and an ice cream at the local company store.
Above is an old Lime Kiln that the English Army operated. The whole town is a company town that was built to mine the lime. (Look it up)
Above Jared and Eric playing a game I can't remember the name of and below Alex and Tyler playing the same game.
We met up with our friends at their cabin. Where Sandra and George and even Paisley proceeded to wait on us hand and foot for the next two days.


Above Eric and George getting the boat into the water than sailing off into the sunset.
Elizabeth calling off the balcony for her daddy.

What w beautiful sunset. The girls all waited for the men to come back. We began to get a little anxious after the sunset. They went to put out the crab pots. But it seem to take longer than it should. Apparently this was a new boat and things didn't go as planned. But they returned safe and sound. Exhausted and ready for bed.


Originally we had planned to let the boys sleep outside but because it was so late when they got back we just made room inside. On top bunks under tables wherever you could find a space.

Early the next morning my boys and George and Jeneva went off fishing and to collect the pots. Sandra and I took the girls to more fully explore Friday Harbor. We hit all the cute shops, the best farmers market were I bought raspberries I really did mean to share but somehow never made back to the cabin, we also took the girls to a playground to run around for a while.


Results of the grab pots. Some were keep and enjoyed other set free.
In the afternoon the guys took the kids on a hike they saw Bald Eagles, sea stars and other various birds and marine life. But no whales.


They spent several hours fishing off the dock. Jared caught 3 fish. Very proud moment because he had never caught anything before.
We also took turns riding the scooters but somehow i missed a picture of that. But we left just as the sun was setting. Another beautiful sky. We rode the late ferry home. We tried to play 5 crowns up on deck for awhile but gave in to extreme fatigue and went down below and feel asleep in the car.


What an amazing trip. Thank you Sandra, George and Paisley. We had a fantastic trip.