We set aside Saturday for a trip to San Juan Island. The morning greeted us with sunny skies and light winds. We decided to drive our car instead of renting one from Susie's Mopeds in Friday Harbor, so I pulled off the kayaks so we didn't have to pay an additional ferry fee for the added height.
The ferry was full of excited vacationers like ourselves, who were equipped with kayaks, bikes, and picnic baskets.
The ferry was full of excited vacationers like ourselves, who were equipped with kayaks, bikes, and picnic baskets.
The trip through the islands is always a delight. The passage to Friday Harbor typically includes stops at Lopez Island and Orcas Island. I've enjoyed it on a cold overcast winter day and under the bright summer sun.
Island watching from the decks of the Elwha was fun. There are lots of protected places to sit or stand, but the real joy is walking about to catch the various views.
Asides from seeing other ferries, fishing boats, and recreational craft of all types, the landscape is spectacular, regardless of how many times I've seen it. I especially like the composition of trees coming down to the water's edge.
The trip to Friday Harbor was beautiful. We arrived at 10:40 am and found the harbor much more sleepy than occurs in the summer season.
Roche Harbor - San Juan Island
Roche Harbor was our destination after disembarking from the ferry. A favorite of ours when visiting by boat, we've come to enjoy it as a destination when arriving by ferry.
So accustom to seeing Roche Harbor during high season, it was refreshing to see it at a slower pace. Pretty year round, it was nice to see the gardens, planters, and pots in Spring bloom.
While we were there, the staff, when not tending to guests, were doing lots of Spring cleaning, painting, and repairs.
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| The kayak rentals await guests. |
We like the attention to detail throughout the resort of Roche Harbor. They make a real effort to maintain a sense of stepping back into another time.
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| Roche Harbor is famous for their Flag lowering ceremony in the summer. |
Surrounding the shores of Roche Harbor are scenes equally as magnificent. Whether it is a sailboat resting at anchor, the homes overlooking the idyllic harbor, or an old wooden trawler reminding us of the history of the area, there is a calm here that offers its visitors something different from your typical guest moorage at a modern marina.
Looking up the hill at the resort's pool and guest cottages, I was struck by how strange it was to see the guest moorage so empty. Most of our visits, even by car have been in the summer, when no one gets in without a reservation.
Laura and I share a love of gardening, so we enjoy seeing the handy work of others. Roche Harbor looks good, all four seasons, but Spring was special to see.
As we prepared to head back to Friday Harbor, we took a parting photo of the harbor. Our lunch at the Lime Kiln Cafe had been delicious, the walk about the grounds and docks restful, and the gift shop had once again left our wallet a little lighter.
Friday Harbor - San Juan Island
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| The coolest path to a flower shop ever. It's a 125-year-old Elm. |
Strolling the waterfront and the docks looking at boats is a sailor's delight, and Friday Harbor doesn't disappoint.
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| Friday Harbor's harbor seal "Popeye" |
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| Our first encounter with the real "Popeye" the harbor seal after years of visits to Friday Harbor. |
As late afternoon turned to evening we moved the car over to the ferry waiting area for our return trip to Anacortes.
We departed Friday Harbor as the sun was setting. The ferry itself seemed nearly empty. The light shining through the trees and reflecting off the water was magical.
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| Chair artwork. No boring rows on this ferry. |
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