On some level, the San Juan Islands have been discovered. More and more tourists flock to the archipelago to experience the views, the wildlife, the laid back pace of life. But considering what a gem these islands truly are, its shocking to me that they are still a place lots of people have never heard of or been to. They are simply stunning, like no other spot on the west coast.
Mom and dad came to visit and we promptly packed up the car and headed to the islands. Weather can be a little dicey in the spring, but the islands generally have good weather--they are in the Olympics rainshadow and get about the same precipitation as San Diego. In fact, the prickly pear cactus is a native species here. We managed to hit a 70 degree weekend, and we scored a waterfront house on the southwest side of the island--which is my favorite spot.
What did we do on the islands? Nothing. We sat on the deck of this funky little cabin on a private beach and watched the world go by. Bored? Not for a minute. The view was stunning--very oceanic as you look across the open waters of the Straits of Juan de Fuca back-dropped by the Olympic mountains. Closer to shore, rocks pop up out of the water. And the shoreline itself is relatively undeveloped.
But what most kept our attention was the constant wildlife. From the deck, we saw otters, minké whales, orcas, dolphins, stellar sea lions, harbor seals, bald eagles, oyster catchers, kingfishers, deer (on the beach). I know I am forgetting something...because it was constant. We started calling bald eagles "pigeons". (Not really--it never gets old seeing a BE).
It was a real treat. I can see Adrienne and I being island residents in the future...:)
Our super funky weekend abode.
And its amazing view off the deck.
Young bald eagle sitting in the tree out of our front door - eating a freshly caught fish.
A stunning sunrise the morning we left.
Living room view.
Ok, we did leave the porch once - to do a very quick tour of the island. This is British Camp.
Back to the house - why waste any time off the deck!
Our perches. Dad was totally coco-loco'd in this picture. Pure gold.
Sun setting.
Young bald eagle.
