TGIF
Doesn't a trip to an exotic island sound wonderful? You know the type of island I mean. The kind of island where the pace of life is slow, the scenery is picture perfect, and all you have to do is kick off your shoes and relax?
Maybe you want to head to an island where the natural world abounds, but you can always pop in to town for a plate of freshly prepared sushi.
The great news is you don't have to head to Hawaii or even to the Caribbean to have a phenomenal island experience. All you have to do is head to Friday Harbor on the Washington coast and use it as a starting point to live out all your island dreams.
Named by Spanish explorer Francisco De Eliza, the San Juan Islands are accessible by car or walk on ferry, private boat or seaplane. One year, my husband and I had the opportunity to go to the San Juans via seaplane. We loved that besides it being affordable, it was quite a unique and scenic adventure. We loved the idea of being able to take off from and land on the water. We also loved the particularly scenic route that was taken by the seaplane. And like a boat, the seaplane arrived in the bay and pulled right up to the dock where yachts were moored.
The best part about the San Juans is that one can find something for everyone. Friday Harbor is overflowing with quaint shops and wonderful restaurants. But that is where the fun just begins. Starting in Friday Harbor, there are self-led various biking tours of all lengths and for most ability levels. On bike or by car, you may be delighted to see lighthouses and rocky bays, fields of lavender, forests of pine and fir where gentle deer abound. If you look closely, you might even see one of the island’s many shy foxes.
Then, there are the real stars of the show: the island's resident and transient orca whales. During the summer, you might catch a glimpse of these gentle giants, with a baby in tow, lolling around the bays and feeding. Although there are commercial whale watching tours, I would argue that they are best viewed from a small sailboat or kayak.
If you want to get away from it all, head over to the almost horseshoe shaped Orcas Island. Moran State Park and its many waterfalls, woodlands and lakes will delight you. The island contains lodging for every taste and budget as well as different restaurants. Of course, the island also offers a variety of outdoor activities, both on sea and on land.
Finally, you can head over to Lopez Island if you would like to have a cycling friendly vacation. A well-known custom on Lopez Island is for folks to wave at every cyclist, pedestrian or motorist with whom they come into contact. Of course, there is always Lopez village where you may spend the day reading a good book or shopping. Around the island, there are various beaches with tide pools or beaches where you can view seals and sea lions.
The San Juan Islands offer something for everyone. But the best news is you don’t have to travel far or spend thousands of dollars to find your own little slice of paradise.
