Day 3 Friday Harbor, San Juan Island

Larry and I enjoyed waking up ready for another day of vacation in the San Juan Islands. After we were ready we drove to Eastsound to buy the map that we had found at the book store yesterday. That map came in handy today so I’m glad we took the time to do that. We asked for directions at one point and the young lady kept saying when you get to the t turn. On an island quite a few road come to a T as their is no where else to go.

We headed for the Ferry to catch a ride to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island.

Last minute bike ad ons and adjustments to Larry's great bike pawn shop find.

I love the new flashlight, speedometer and iPhone holder on our bikes. I know. I'm spoiled.

I'm liking this adventure. I love to be active.

The inter-island ferry rides do not cost any money if you are walking on which is nice since we will be riding a few times this week. We got on the ferry with our bikes to begin our adventure of the day.

We saw this sailboat as we were ferrying over to Friday Harbor.

A view coming into Friday Harbor.

After figuring out which route we wanted to take we took off.

I enjoy riding bikes in new areas because if we see something of interest we pull over and take a look. Riding your bike you notice the small things. The little yellow and white flowers by the side of the road. The gardens in the front yard with a cat playing in the flowers. The street signs with a family name. John Deer tractors all lined up that make you think how much your father in law would have loved to see them.

Mount Baker with its white peaks in the distance majestically rising above all that is around. When you get to experience nature at its purest it’s worth the hills you have to ride up to get there.

In these pictures we were riding back into Friday Harbor on our first 6 mile loop.

After taking a detour to look at the golf course (of course) we rode to the 4th of July beach on the San Juan Island. The water was so blue and it was so quiet there. The sail boats in the distance calmly navigate the water.

On our way back to Friday Harbor Larry was in front as we rode up this steep incline. As I got to the top after feeling grateful I got up another hill I looked up towards Larry and in the distance I saw the blue sky and the blue water of San Juan Channel and the Islands in the distance with Larry silhouetted up ahead on his bike. My heart took a picture. After 37 years of marriage I love that we can do things like this and be active together. The best part of climbing the hill? Something difficult was accomplished and after the struggle and the burn you know you get to ride it down and experience the wind and freedom until you go back up again.

After riding 22 miles we treated ourselves to the local flavor of Lopez ice cream and a big juicy burger to share.

We walked around Friday Harbor while we waited for the ferry. One unique store we explored was Serendipity used book store. The books were piled and piled. Did I say piled? Piled. Lots of rooms were piled with books.

We got back and had to do our homework for today. No rest for the weary as my mom would say.

The hot tub felt really good at the end of the day. Again. 

Day 2 – Relaxing and Planning Day

     Sunday. Sundays for us on vacation are pretty simple. Today we watched 2 sessions of General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Using the Cornell Note taking system I learned last week in my class to take notes for conference.

 Larry took advantage of napping. We are on vacation you know. After conference we walked around the condo property and down at the dock to see what was around here. Water, boats, some sand, small store, mini restaurant and rental place for sail boats, kayak tours and fishing tours.
     We drove back to Eastsound today to see if the Chamber of Commerce was open so we could get some maps, activities, and hiking trail ideas for this Island and a couple of others. It was closed but we browsed in some shops and found a great map in the bookstore. We will go back tomorrow and purchase it. So many cute shops I will want to visit on another day.

This sign had Larry and I giggling. It couldn't be true could it? 

Wouldn't it be lovely to have a view like this curled up with some hot chocolate and a good book.

     We walked along the sidewalk by the bay and watched a seal swimming in the water. As with all vacations there is only so much we can do and we will just have to come back to experience more. We then drove to find the golf course. A note of interest… people do not come to Orcas Island to golf.

     We drove to Moran State park to get a feel for what’s there. We will be hiking Mt.Constitution on Friday. The roads here are really curvy and narrow so I’m a little nervous to be biking on them. If we could trust the drivers to watch for us I would feel safer. We read also that biking Orcas Island is dangerous because of that so we may skip biking this Island. We decided just to and from where the car is parked to the ferry will count as biking this island.
     Larry and I came back to the condo and made spaghetti with my garden freezer sauce, Italian sausage and mushrooms. I also cut up some tasty watermelon I brought from the garden. One of the many reasons I love our vacation ownership is that we can cook our own meals if we want. A little bit eating out, a little bit eating in. We do try some of the local cuisine to experience the local flavor.           Which we love to do.

    

Day 1 - San Juan Islands Here We Come - Arrived on Orcas

It’s been almost 14 years but Larry and I finally returned to the San Juan Islands! The last time we were here it was for just a couple of days. This time we are here for a week! I hope to fill the days with fun and relaxation. Oh and also find time for homework. Our plan is to do some biking, hiking, golfing, eating, shopping, site seeing and relaxing. We plan to visit a couple of the other islands and bike around them also.

We took off early Saturday morning headed first to Mt. Vernon to meet up with our son Joshua, his wife Jackie and grandson Ryker. After we were treated to some yummy ice cream cones at a farmer’s type market there we all drove to Anacortes, WA to catch the Ferry to Orcas Island. We arrived about 40 minutes before the ferry left the dock and it took about an hour to get to Orcas Island. Jackie and Ryker were riding a ferry for the very first time. It’s always a joy to watch people to experience something different and fun in life for the first time.

 The boat docked and we drove off.

                                       

Joshua, Jackie and Ryker walked on and off so after picking them up we headed out to find the condo we were staying in. About 15 minutes later we arrived and got all checked in. We are staying at Westsound in Deer Harbor, WA at our Worldmark resort in a studio deluxe. It’s a nice place. The view is nice but would be better with a couple of trees out of the way. We also have a hot tub on the deck that will get some good use this week.

We explored our condo and got everything unloaded. We had bunnies greet us. They were fun to see all week around the condo's.

We then drove up to Eastsound. It’s the main city on the Island. Orcas Island is shaped like a horseshoe and it’s at the top of the horseshoe. Ryker was starving so we were looking for a pizza place. And. We. Found. The. Best. Pizza.

Portofino Pizza on A Street. Larry and I will definitely be going back there to eat this week. It was dark and almost time for Joshua, Jackie and Ryker to catch the ferry back to Anacortes so we took them to the terminal. It was great to be able to spend time with them. We are hoping they’ll be able to make it back this next Friday to stay and play the whole day. Joshua has the day off and they live close to Anacortes.

When we got back I needed to get the Larry’s laptop running so he could get his assignment for his Book of Mormon religion class turned in before midnight. We were both so tired that it was a struggle but we were able to get it all done. Sleep claimed us both pretty quickly and we didn’t complain at all.