Friday Harbor & Roche Harbor in the San Juan Islands

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 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.

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.

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

The drive back to Friday Harbor took less than twenty minutes and covered less than ten miles.  Friday Harbor is a charming place of vintage architecture, hidden gardens, eclectic shops, wonderful restaurants, a beautiful harbor, and lots of interesting business signs.

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.

Friday Harbor's harbor seal "Popeye"

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.

Chair artwork.  No boring rows on this ferry.

It had been a full day of marvelous sights.  The weather had been wonderful, and the crowds nonexistent.

Live well, Laugh often, Love much

Anacortes - Hanging in Town

It's so easy to get in the habit of describing a trip through the lens of what there is to do.  Just as interesting is what there is to see.  From our campsite, we have the ever-changing sky and water to delight us every day if we only take the time to notice.  On this calm evening, as the light was starting to fade, there appeared the most beautiful sight as steam from the refinery mixed with the cooler air.  The light from the setting sun made the steam standout from the gray background and helped with its reflection on the water.

 We had a few sprinkles this evening, but in true NW fashion, the campsite next to ours would not be deterred.  They had family over, did s'mores over their propane fire pit, and in general seem to have a great time.

The Sinclairs from the Portland Yacht Club are in Bounder motorhome.

Looking towards Anacortes

Laura is a big Heron fan, and Fidalgo Bay Resort has lots.

Marine Supply & Hardware Company - Anacortes

Earlier in the day I was out and about just sightseeing.  One of the must-visit spots in Anacortes is the Marine Supply & Hardware Company at the north end of Commercial Ave.  Founded in 1913, this store looks more like a museum than a going business.  Like a fan, I visit every time I'm in Anacortes just to see what is new.

The Marine Supply & Hardware Company is for sale.

Live well, Laugh often, Love much

Anacortes - Tulip Fields

Day five of our trip welcomed us with another gorgeous day as we headed out to see the tulip fields in bloom.  Our first stop was Schuh Farms (https://www.facebook.com/Schuh-Farms-286087151435556).  Noted for their produce, pies, milkshakes, and gift shop, we had discovered them on our previous visit to the Tulip Festival.

Tulip fields are amazing to see in person.  Between the colors, textures, and the geometry, they really deserved to be experienced up close.  One thing worth bringing is boots because some spots in the fields can be a little muddy in the early Spring.

Dale amongst the tulips

Laura amongst the tulips

Evening Stroll on the Tommy Thompson Trail - Anacortes

From Fidalgo Bay Resort, you can take the Tommy Thompson Trail southeast for another mile before you start to reach that part of the trail that runs past the oil refinery complex.  Built on an old railroad right away, the trail is enjoyable both on foot and on a bike.

Heading southeast toward the refinery

Heading back to Fidalgo Bay Resort

The end of an absolutely delightful day.

Live well, Laugh often, Love much

Anacortes - Boat Show

Coming to Anacortes for the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival and then going to a boat show first speaks volumes about us.  After enjoying a lazy Sunday morning we prepared to head off to the show in the afternoon.  Before departing we sent our Portland Yacht Club friends the Sinclairs a photo of site #11 where they'd be staying in the coming days.  It was strange to see how much the resort clears out between Sunday and Wednesday in the off-season.

Site #11 waiting for the Sinclairs

Short Stop at Cap Sante

Before hitting the boat show, we couldn't resist a quick visit to the top of Cap Sante for the view.  We never grow tired of looking over the town, or down Fidalgo Bay, or imaging the advantages to come as we identify various San Juan islands.

Anacortes Boat Show

Advertised as the largest free boat show on the west coast, it is worth the visit.  From daysailers to offshore cruise, and trawlers to very big powerboat yachts, there was a lot to see.  Minus all the crowds common with the Seattle Boat Show, you had time to explore each boat that peaked your interest.  Sporting the yellow banners, it was nice to see that BananaBelt Boats had survived the recession.  We purchased our Bayliner 38 from BananaBelt Boat in 2008 and had a wonderful cruise in the San Juan Island before taking it to the Columbia River.

We sold our Bayliner in September 2015, but held on to our Catalina Capri 22 sailboat, that Laura and I daysail and race.  How curious to see a Capri 22 at the show tucked in behind a beautiful navy blue hulled sailboat.

The Cabana - Overlooking Cap Sante Marina

A happy discovery on this trip was The Cabana seafood restaurant right next to Anthony's.  This casual fish and chips style place has indoor and outdoor seating.  Connected to The Cabana are two Bocce Ball courts.

After a welcomed but wet winter and spring in Vancouver, the sunny skies of Anacortes were enjoyable.

Live well, Laugh often, Love much

Anacortes - Tulip Festival - Skagit Valley

Higher than normal temperatures in 2015 had us catching the tail end of the Tulip Festival, so for 2016, we arranged to arrive nine days earlier.  Our home-base for the two-week stay (April 9-24) would once again be Fidalgo Bay Resort in Anacortes, WA.

The worst part of getting to Anacortes from Vancouver, WA is having to drive through Centralia, Tacoma, Seattle, and Everett. On this trip, Seattle presented us with bumper to bumper conditions until we got north of downtown.

Seattle always present a challenge to pass through

For our two weeks in Anacortes, we decided to splurge on a waterfront site overlooking Fidalgo Bay.  A little more affordable in the off-season and well worth it for the view.

Site #13

As close as you get to the water at Fidalgo Bay Resort

Looking at Anacortes

We were in site #13 in the East Park

Saturday Market

Despite the slow traffic getting to Anacortes, we still managed to arrive, get settled in, and visit the Anacortes Farmers Market before closing.  Located near downtown on the grounds of an old train station, now used as an event center, the market had a nice vibe to it.  We understand the market is bigger during the summer, so we'll have something to look forward to when we come back in July.

Booths at the market carried produce, handmade soap, wine, cheese, meats, art, jewelry, pasta, hats, master gardens answering questions, plants, massage, and various food vendors.  It was a beautiful day to be outside.  The air was crisp, but not cold, and the sun felt wonderful.

Walking around was a nice way to unwind from the five and a half hour trip up from Vancouver.  It also let us ease into the Anacortes vacation mood that would stay with us for the entire trip.

Live well, Laugh often, Love much