Useful Information if you are new to the Washington State Ferry System and want to go to San Juan, Lopez, Orcas, or Shaw. This Blog is in three parts.

Get a ferry schedule before you tell anyone when you will be arriving.  You can go online to www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/.  This is the department of transportation’s ferry website.  It has the most up-to-date information.  For example, sometimes the ferries are on special holiday schedule and occasionally one will break down or be late.  Also, note that the ferry schedule (and also the prices) changes four times a year.  The … read full article

Sure, Islanders do go on vacations occasionally.
I am on one now.
And here are the things I miss about San Juan Island when I am gone:

The smell the sea
The storekeepers that know me by name
The visitors and their silly questions
The Orcas feeding off the west side
The grocery store where I know how to find everything
The sound of the teenagers when they walk downtown at lunchtime
The pet store where they know my dog
My favorite take-out dishes at the restaurants
Happy dogs greeting each other at the off leash dog park… read full article

You know spring is here. The garage sale season has begun in earnest with very good Saturday turnouts. It’s a good chance to chat with people and joke about the economy. I’ve been attending these events long enough to sometimes see what I myself sold years ago at someone else’s garage sale! Local charities and causes take the opportunity to do some spring cleaning and raise money for their cause. On an island garage sales are a little different. You often hear, “Yes! Just what I was looking for!” Although the island stores carry most products, a garage … read full article

Roche Harbor Mausoleum

Most people who come to San Juan Island are aware of Roche Harbor Resort, and possibly a tiny bit of it’s history. What many people do now know of, or have never taken the time to visit, is the mausoleum.

This is not so much of a hike as it is a destination. A worthwhile destination! The walk itself is in total one mile (by my estimation) one way. If you start at the resort the front desk of the Hotel de Haro has a great pamphlet that outlines many interesting things about the history … read full article