Pristine kayaking conditions around eroded sandstone on Sucia Island, in the San Juan Island archipelago.
The San Juan Islands are nestled in between the US. mainland and the southernmost part of Canada, Victoria B.C. Back in 1859 a war almost broke out between England and the U.S. over who these islands belonged to. It was eventually left up to a third party to decide. The arbitrator was the leader of Germany at the time, Kaiser Wilhelm. He sided with the U.S. and from that point on the San Juan islands belonged to us. And if you get a chance to go visit the islands you will be glad the Kaiser voted that way because they are a hidden gem right in Seattle's backyard.
Gardens at Roche Harbor
The old company store. Now a bit boutique but still has its old charm.
Friday harbor is the main town amongst the islands. Its quirky shops and bookstores keep the tourists and locals entertained, while a storied company town history still shines through on San Juan as shown in the company store and historic lime kilns at Roche Harbor.
Lime Kiln Lighthouse
Most of the business these days is from tourism, although one farmer has found a way to be independent from that economy by raising award winning alpacas. We always stop in when we are there to give them a pet and a quick bite to eat before taking in some of the more historical and scenic stops like lime kiln point and the cute lighthouse there.
The softest animals you will ever feel. Alpacas on San Juan Island.
The harbor is always a busy place as people come and go from the islands.
Other islands boast wilderness opportunities, like Sucia Island. It is a state marine park and with no ferry service you have to have your own boat to get out there. Once there it is crisscrossed with trails, beautiful coastline, great kayaking, and some wonderful geology. The sandstone formations have been carved into natural works of art by all the wind and rain and winter storms. Isolated rocks house harbor seal and stellar sea lion haulouts, and families of river otters scamper around the shoreline. It feels as though the hustle and bustle of Seattle is far, far away.
Taking a walk through the madrone forest on Sucia Island.
Sea Lion Haulout, sharing the rock with a few harbor seals as well.
Check out the location of San Juan Island here on pinmapple.com: [//]:# (!pinmapple 48.54510 lat -123.16014 long San Juan Islands d3scr)
And as always, Keep traveling!
-Dai Mar