September 28, 29, 30--Orcas Island

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After an uneventful drive from Seattle to Anacortes, we took the ferry to Orcas Island in the San Juan Islands. The skies got increasingly gloomy during the hour and a half ride. After docking in Orcas Village, we drove up the left “lobe” of the island to the larger town of East Sound. We were surprised by the variety of micro-environments we passed through during the less than 30 minute drive: rocky coast, rain forests, fishing villages, agricultural valleys, tree studded mountains. It’s as though Orcas Island is a complete world packed into a very small area.

After lunch and grocery shopping in East Sound, we headed on to the vacation home of our friends Bob and Wendy Lucas from San Luis Obispo. The Lucases were in residence, but had taken a brief trip over to the “mainland”, and we were on our own the first 2 days. Their home is in a lovely, quiet location with a killer view off the north side of the island. The huge great room has windows lining the length of it, and a matching deck outside, from which you can see Canada, Bellingham, Washington, and some of the lesser San Juan Islands. Although we had anticipated some quiet time on that deck, enjoying the spectacular view, no sooner had we unpacked the car, poured a glass of wine, and settled down with a book in the deck chairs, then the rain started, and the view disappeared in the mist and fog. We quickly adjourned inside, lit the wood stove, and feasted on a light supper of bread, cheese and salami. Not too shabby!

The next morning we appreciated the spectacular sunrise from the bedroom windows, then slept in. Although it was still raining off and on, we decided not to let it keep us in today. We drove out to the end of Obstruction Pass Road and hiked out to the point through the lush rain forest. When it did rain, it rarely reached us through the thick canopy of green overhead. After exploring the beach a bit, we hiked back to our car, then drove the few minutes to the little Olga Café, located within a gallery featuring local artists and crafters. After a delicious lunch and a bit of looking (we fell in love with artist James Hardman’s work), we drove to the other side of the island in a downpour. Our destination was Orcas Island Pottery, a cooperative located in a quaint cabin down a gravel road. Pottery is displayed everywhere, in the gardens, on the cabin’s outer walls, in the outbuildings... We dodged the rain and viewed it all before deciding on 2 bowls and 2 coffee mugs as souvenirs. We finished out the day with dinner at an “old school” fish restaurant in East Sound-a big “bucket”of shellfish and fish, corn, and potatoes! Yum!

With the weather clearing on our third morning, we anticipated the return of the Lucases. They arrived about 11:00, and after they settled in, we all had a quick lunch. Wendy then chauffeured us around to other island “must sees”, while Bob stayed at the house to await a business call. We drove to Mt. Constitution, the highest point in the San Juan Islands (2407'), where we were treated to a 360 degree view of the San Juans and beyond. On the way down, we stopped for a quick hike to a couple of waterfalls in a lush rain forest setting. Following that we partook of the ultimate island activity--blackberry picking! We were surprised and pleased to find plenty of them still growing wild along the side of the road even at this time of year.

Upon our return to the house, Bob greeted us with wine and brie, and after succumbing to that diversion, we cleaned up for dinner. Over a wonderful meal and great wine at a new upscale restaurant in East Sound called Ecotopian, we entertained each other by exchanging the proverbial “how we met” stories with the Lucases. It was a lovely end to a great island experience...

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