A weekend on Orcas Island

We planned a kayaking trip with friends to Orcas Island several months ago and just recently returned from our much anticipated trip. I walked away from the weekend with a newfound love for Orcas Island.

Susan Mustard

While visiting Moran State Park we stopped into the Friends of Moran gift shop. Always on the lookout for postcards to add to my ever growing collection we came across these amazing little works of art by Susan Mustard. A transplant to the island from Texas, she has woven herself into the fabric of the island and created these amazing pieces out of vintage book covers. I would love to have all the originals in my home because each one is amazing to look at it is on right. What is the age phrase, "one man's junk is another man's treasure" I will never go into a book store and look at book covers the same way.

Orcas Island

Orcas Island is a hiker and campers paradise. There are endless trails, beautiful vistas, plentiful camping and given the relatively large size of Moran State Park it is a place you can visit again and again. We enjoyed the day by taking in views from Mt. Constitution, hiking to Cascade Falls and generally exploring the island. Orcas is a good place to have a car, there is no really downtown area when you get off the ferry, so I do not recommend walking onto this island.

So many choices and all the trails were well marked, this is such a hiker's luxury.

I could not get enough of all the moss and wonderful trails, it felt like the Hoh Rainforest on the Olympic Peninsula, but without the drive.

We saw a sign for homemade pizzas, so being the pizza aficionados we are, we turned off the road and came across this charming bed and breakfast. Once a week they offer pizzas made from their handmade outdoor oven and we happened to come on the right day. Everything about Orcas Island was charming and I am already planning a trip back to further explore the area.

Orcas Island on Dwellable

Island getaway

Bad weather seems to sidetrack every attempt for camping so far this year, but this past weekend we lucked out. We decided to make it a long weekend, by heading out early Friday morning and getting a jump start on weekend travelers. We arrived at Washington Park to set up camp and then boarded the ferry bound for Friday Harbor. It had been a long time since we had visited the San Juan Islands (never together), so we thought it would be the perfect way to celebrate our anniversary. Once we arrived at Friday Harbor the clouds started to part and the sun was shining, we had the perfect lunch at the Bluff Restaurant and since it was early we had the place to ourselves.

They serve thoughtful, unique menu items like flatbread topped with locally foraged mushrooms and ricotta, it was delicious along with the mixed greens.

After lunch, we hopped aboard our boat for our whale watching tour. Neither of us had ever been whale watching, so we were curious how much we would see. Initially, I was a bit overwhelmed trying to figure out who to book through, but after a little research and a few phone calls I determined San Juan Safaris would fit our needs. I liked the idea of being on a smaller boat, a greater naturalist to viewer ratio and a shorter tour. We ended up with a great group of people, informative guides and three hours was sufficient time on the water for us.

Our tour took us up into Canadian water, right off the coast of Satura Island where we were able to find some transient orcas. Our naturalists said it was a mother, child and a male. We were able to watch them for a good hour and every time they came up for air it was an exhilarating experience.

It was equally entertaining watching the reactions of the people on board. This one lady, I referred to as Laura Bush, freaked out when she saw an eagle, but maybe it was her first time viewing such a majestic creature.

Once we were back on shore, we came across this adorable little boat called the Lady Bug. I have a propensity for tiny things because it is the equivalent to a smart car, but on water. It was just TOO cute.

Hungry from all that fresh air, we enjoyed a clam chowder dinner at Downriggers.

After dinner we hopped back on the ferry and made our way to our campsite. Washington Park is located in the perfect place, because it is only a mile or so from the ferry terminal so we were able to walk there.

Even if I rode this ferry everyday I would not get tired of the constantly changing blues and grays.

Back at our campsite, I day dreamed of living on Friday Harbor and driving around the Lady Bug.

Washington Park is located on the tip of Anacortes, so this was our view as we took an evening walk around the park.

Do you have any favorite camping spots in the San Juans?

San Juan Islands on Dwellable