Lunch in Roche Harbor

Roche Harbor

Visiting a popular destination preseason offers a unique experience both in terms of the visual splendor of the gardens and the oddly empty guest docks, to the quiet side of routine maintenance and the sounds of nature not having to compete with the vibe of modern life.

On the Wharf

Only the early visitor gets to enjoy the explosion of color and textures that Spring represents at Roche Harbor.  While the thongs are still a couple of months off, there is still much to see and do.  Attention to detail is is a hallmark of the resort.  I love how even the signs are interesting.  It reminds me of being at Disneyland.

Even the ordinary is extraordinary.

Our lunch destination after getting off the ferry from Anacortes.

After lunch, we wander around the complex enjoying the architecture, the docks, the boats, and the gardens.  The gift shop in the Hotel De Haro is always worth a visit.

President Theodore Roosevelt slept here.

Whether by car or by boat, Roche Harbor is a special destination in the Pacific Northwest.  We've come multiple times in our Catalina 22 sailboat and in our forty-five foot Bayliner 3870, and each visit was special.  One year we got to see the resort decorated for the 4th of July.

A Grand Banks trawler arrives.

Anchor from the Star of Chile.

Grounded in History.

Visiting the gardens.

As avid gardeners, Laura and I enjoy the handiwork of others.  While the gardens are beautiful in the summer, they are different in the Spring.

White Old-Fashioned Bleeding Heart

White Daffodils.

Asian Bleeding Heart

Laura enjoying the gardens.

Hotel De Haro

Looking back at the harbor from the hotel.

Great day to be exploring with Laura.

One of the many pots around the property.

Flowers are everywhere.

A rocking Adirondack chair with a breathtaking price.  Great chair though.

Move tubs of flowers.

Even the dogs have a drinking fountain.

Not the largest we've seen at Roche Harbor, but impressive all the same.

The narrow cut between Pearl Island and San Juan Island as seen from the marina.

Fuel dock and home of the evening "Retiring the Colors" ceremony.

The nearly empty guest docks.  Swimming pool and tennis courts to the left, and cabin rentals up the hill.

The chapel and the gardens are popular for weddings.

The chapel.

Walking the docks at Roche Harbor is always likely to deliver a surprise.  On this day I encountered the M/V Teal, which is a great story (https://www.facebook.com/MV-TEAL-1434866836790183/) about restoring a piece of history that was rotting away in Port Hadlock, WA. Teal is a 78' former Alaska fisheries patrol boat launched in 1927 by Kruse & Banks Shipbuilding, North Bend, Oregon.  

M/V Teal

More about the M/V Teal can be found at https://www.afsc.noaa.gov/history/vessels/boats/teal.htm

The Teal's hull is two inches thick and constructed of old-growth Port Orford (Oregon) cedar.

A video tour is available at https://www.offcenterharbor.com/videos/teal-northwest-fisheries-patrol-vessels-new-lease-life/

So ended our visit to Roche Harbor.  Always pleasant to explore, and guaranteed to leave one with an unexpected surprise.

Live well, Laugh often, Love much

The Islands

A typical scene in the San Juan Islands.

After watching the weather,  we chose Thursday as the best day to enjoy some sunshine as we explored San Juan Island.  Hosting a Washington State Ferry terminal, Anacortes makes it easy to give into the urge to get on the water, even if you don't have a boat.

Leaving Rosario Strait and heading into Thatcher Pass at the south end of Blakely Island.

Today's journey was non-stop to Friday Harbor, San Juan Island.  The cost was $52.35 ($38.85 for the car and driver, and 13.50 for the passenger).  The trip took about an hour and twenty minutes.

Everything travels by boat in the islands.

While a little hazy this day, the sky, water, rocks, and trees made from some awesome scenery.

If the seas are rising because of global warming, then these homes are toast.  Situated on Flat Point, Lopez Island, winter storms must be interesting judging from how close some of the driftwood logs were to the structures.

Flat Point, Lopez Island

The last strip of water you cross before arriving at Friday Harbor is San Juan Channel.  Water depths range from 200-500 feet.

Coming into Friday Harbor

 Because of the route followed by the ferries, Friday Harbor does reveal itself to you all at once.  If first notice the marina.  As the ferry passes Brown Island to the left, the downtown portion of community comes into view.

Ferry landing to the right in the photo.

Nestled between Brown Island and the mainland is the cozy anchorage the harbor is known for.  From a previous trip aboard our Bayliner motoryacht, Laura and I can highly recommend a dinghy tour of the shoreline surrounding the anchor just before dusk. The homes, boats, and scenario are not to be missed.

A piece of heaven.

The seas had been calm, and the weather delightful.  We disembarked from the ferry for our day on San Juan Island.

Live well, Laugh often, Love much

Cap Sante Bike Ride

Looking north to Anacortes, and the entrance to the marina at Cap Sante

After a workday that got to enjoy the view out the front windows of the coach, I was ready to hit the trail, the Tommy Thompson Trail.  Fidalgo Bay RV Resort straddles this great local resource that has been built upon an old railroad right of way.

On the Tommy Thompson Trail, preparing to head north

The community has done a wonderful job transforming the railroad trestle into a functioning portion of the trail.  With composite and wood planking, combined with safety fencing, and even park benches halfway across, the trestle affords those on foot or on a bike and delightful experience of being over the water.

Starting in the southeast and ending at Cap Sante in the north.

At the Cap Sante pavilion.

Steps are provided at both ends of this gravel beach to encourage visitors to explore at low tide. 

Cap Sante Marina

Anthony's restaurant is in the center of the photo onshore.

The breakwater protecting the marina.

The high school sailing team practicing.

The base of Cap Sante

As a boat lover, Cap Sante Marina, formerly known as Cap Sante Boat Haven, is always a fun stop.  Laura and I have always admired Nordic Tugs trawlers, so it was a kick to find a red and a blue one at the docks.

A pair of Nordic Tugs 32s at the dock.

The fishing schooner Woniya.

The bike ride was a nice way to finish off a busy workday.  The weather turned out great, with little or no wind to ease the journey from start to end.

Live well, Laugh often, Love much