We rose early, departing the house by 3:50 AM, eager to board the ferry from Anacortes to Friday Harbor. As we traveled, the sky slowly began to awaken, treating us to a breathtaking progression of colors at dawn.
Gathering flyers and maps for the islands in the ferry shop
Leaving Anacortes
Cormorant
Cormorant in flight
Ferry stop at Lopez Island
Very few people got on or off
More about this unusual tree later.
Getting closer to Friday Harbor
Friday Harbor
On land and beginning our circular route around the island.
San Juan Island is the most westerly island served by the Washington state ferry system. It is also the governmental seat for San Juan county.
There are grocery stores, restaurants, unique boutique shops and bookstores. There’s a movie theater, a community theater and since the town serves as the county seat, there is also a courthouse, government legislative buildings, a town hall and a hospital.
Located on San Juan Island, San Juan Vineyard is the only operating winery producing estate grown wines.
Founded in 1996, San Juan Vineyard is a producer of award winning estate-grown wines - Siegerrebe and Madeleine Angevine. Since then, they’ve established esteem for their wines in the coolest-climate growing region of Washington State, the Puget Sound AVA.
San Juan Vineyard is a destination winery, known for its 1895 remodeled school house and stunning estate-grown wines.
A pregnant doe
The island's north end is home to Roche Harbor Resort, site of the historic Hotel De Haro, picturesque floral gardens, a bustling marina, a pool, the Lime Kiln Cafe, McMillin’s Dining Room and the Madrona Bar & Grill.
Even with all it has to offer, Roche Harbor maintains an air of history and mystery. Indeed, its story is fascinating. The Hotel de Haro is named after Captain Lopez de Haro who explored the region in 1787. In 1886, John S. McMillin, a Tacoma lawyer discovered a large lime deposit there and began the Roche Harbor Lime Company. He opened the hotel in 1886, and by 1890 the company town had grown around the magnificent hotel. Soon the site featured a completely modern lime factory, barrel works, a warehouse, docks, ships and piers, offices, a company store, a church, a school, barns and homes.
In 1956, Roche Harbor's 4,000 acres, including 12 miles of coastline, was sold to Reuben J. Tarte, a Seattle businessman. He and his family set about restoring the hotel and warehouse and turning the area into a world-class resort. Today, evidence of that hard work lives on. It is charming and very high-end.
This property (small lot) is for sale. Care to take a gander at how much? It’s right next door to that mansion above.
It does have a nice view though.
Lime kiln ruins
John S. McMillin, the owner of the Tacoma and Roche Harbor Lime Company was raised in a lime producing region of Indiana and immediately entered the lime industry when he migrated to the Pacific Northwest in 1882. His company was the largest lime producer in the Pacific Northwest, producing almost 300,000 barrels of lime per year when production peaked in 1904. Over 800 people lived in the company town of Roche Harbor, which operated 13 kilns and 15 quarries and had its own hotel, post office, and power plants. Visitors to Roche Harbor Resort can tour the remaining lime kilns, located not far from the Hotel de Haro which was operated by McMillin’s Company. Additional Lime kilns can be seen at Lime Kiln Point State Park.
By the time of the Great Depression, the Juan Islands limestone industry was dwindling, due in no small part to the exhaustion of easily accessible old growth trees to power the lime kilns. The Tacoma and Roche Harbor Lime Company, the last lime producer in operation, ceased making lime in 1956. Seattle businessman Reuben Tarte purchased the company’s assets and transformed it into the extensive resort which has carefully preserved facilities from its industrial past.
Floral gardens
The San Juan Islands Sculpture Park is a 20 acre garden of the arts. Featuring sculptures by renowned sculptors, orchards for foraging, and rotating sculptures, visitors can walk its trail network and take in works of art in the beautiful landscape. Founded in 1988, it strives to make art and nature work together in harmony. The 150 plus works of art housed here come from both local creators and artists from around the world. I will let the sculptures speak for themselves with just a few comments, most of them by the artists themselves.
The dancer
California poppy bud
I must mention this one. Most of the sculptures are for sale and the price tag on this one called “Artist With Found Object” is $80,000.
This beautiful bronze sculpture,
"Discovering Our Wild World," with over 90 animals and selections from nature, is designed to be touched, so please feel free to explore it with your hands.
The Artist, John Bonnett Wexo, is also the Author of "Zoobooks" and a firm believer there is no substitute for direct "hands-on" learning, especially in our current technological age.
In the center is a striking photo of our Western Hemisphere, taken from space. Can you find San Juan Island?
(Hint: it may be under some clouds.)
Sara Tops
I found my gift of driftwood art at a late stage in my life. With no art or woodworking experience, it was a joy to find this passion.
I was a "dinosaur kid." I found animals in the clouds and saw animals in a piece of popcorn.
I feel like an archeologist on the beach with a goal to reassemble these lost animals.
It is never too late to find your passion.
— Joe Treat
PS:
If "Sara Tops" were an actual dinosaur, she would be a juvenile Triceratops, and grow to the size of a large elephant.
This is all cut from one piece of stone and then pieced back together.
The only kind of raccoons I like.
Prayer Wheels
Like the Prayer Wheels used in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, the Rosary of Catholicism, or the Jewish Mezuzah, these sculptures are intended to be tools for the mindfulness of the ideas we want our actions to radiate. These contemporary Prayer Wheels are vessels into which you may place writings of your hopes, intentions, and prayers. Use the paper provided here, then carefully lift the lid on the Prayer Wheel of your choice and drop your writing in. Please replace the lid and gently spin the Prayer Wheel.
I left my desk job in 1992 to pursue a lifelong passion - a full-time career in ceramics. I founded Dancing Dog Clayworks and created garden sculptures, tiles, and other houseware.
In 2000, my claywork took an unexpected direction as a means of coping with a tragedy. A gas pipeline explosion killed three boys at a park in my home town. This awful calamity moved me to sculpt a memorial "story" on the outside of a three-foot tall clay cylinder - my first Prayer Wheel. Today, I design and sculpt contemporary Prayer Wheels for my company, AXIS OF HOPE.
I have installed hundreds across the world. My work has been presented to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, President Obama, and featured in the New York Times.
— Chris Moench
Glass Columns
I have no interest in using glass as a thin, refined material. I want to show the complexity available using it in a larger, rougher ideal.
I want to offer glass and steel married together in such a way that the glass almost seems more "massive" than the steel.
— Gerry Newcomb
Big Bird
Rebar legs and feet, a leaf rake tail, sprockets for a head and other miscellaneous items one might find in their workshop.
Wooly hedgenettle
Interesting new growth out of the top of the cone.
Rock rose
Honey Garlic
In case you think the island is only water, there are thick forests here too.
One of the most popular spots on the island is Line Kiln State Park located on the west side. The route to the park took us through the heart of the island’s agricultural area and pastoral valley views.
Lime Kiln Park Lighthouse
Established in 1919 and named for the lime production facility that was in operation just north of the light station from the 1860s-1950s.
The lighthouse keepers were expected to adhere to a strict daily regimen. They monitored the lighthouse. equipment, and weather conditions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Aside from tending to the lamp and fog signal equipment, much of their time was devoted to polishing the lens and brass, which took an entire day! In addition, the family was expected to keep the dwellings spotless at all times, as the inspector would show up periodically without advance notice.
Remember the tree I mentioned earlier? Here is a closeup. Pacific Madrone or rainbow eucalyptus
As twilight descended yesterday, Connie prepared a delectable chicken salad, its savory aroma filling the air. With enthusiasm, we packed a quaint picnic lunch, selecting a serene locale where we could savor our delightful meal amidst nature’s beauty. It was a most amazing spot for lunch.
Float plane
Douglas fir
A natural bench
Simply stunning views
Another float plane
Aromatic aniseed
The San Juan Presbyterian Church was built in 1882 on a site donated by Matthias Lundblad. The Gothic frame church, called the "Valley Church", was patterned after the Presbyterian Stone Church in Port Townsend (1877-1889) and is the oldest remaining Presbyterian building in the State of Washington. Used until 1891, the building sat idle until the organization of the Emmanuel Presbyterian Church in 1901. In 1931 the church cemetery was separated by transfer to the newly formed San Juan Cemetery Association. In 1951 the church and cemetery were deeded to San Juan County. The church building was restored and became the San Juan Valley Community Church.
The San Juan historical society and museum sheds light on not just the Pig War that led to the current border through the islands between the US and Canada, but the lives of those who lived and worked on the island hundreds of years ago.
A perfect climbing tree, except the sign says no climbing 🙁
For thousands of years, Coast Salish tribes have used South beach to process salmon. Its sunny and windy environment aided in preservation. And its proximity to Salmon Bank made it an ideal location; they didn’t have to transport the fish far after catching them. Also located nearby was Cattle Point Village, a summertime gathering spot for the Coast Salish.
In the late 1800’s, European settlers began to use South Beach for the same purpose. The Hudson Bay Company would salt and pack the salmon they bought from the Coast Salish. Then they sold it to Hawai’i and other global purchasers. Additionally, they transformed the land around the beach into fields and farmland. Homesteader Eliza Jakle, a female farmer and entrepreneur, sold drinking water to the fish trap workers who worked here seasonally.
Today, South Beach is the longest stretch of publicly accessible wild coastline anywhere in the San Juan Islands! From the two miles of gray sand, pebbles, and driftwood, there’s an excellent view of Juan de Fuca and Haro Straits.
We took full advantage of the beautiful weather and walked along the shore of the Straight of Juan de Fuca picking up pebbles.
Getting a cold soak
Huge piece of seaweed as tall as I am and no comments about that not saying much.
Piles and piles of driftwood
American goldfinch
Savannah sparrow
Cattle Point Lighthouse
Red foxes are plentiful on the island
This little guy’s mom and sibling above ran off and left him.
Rocktrumpet
Unusual petunias
A portion of a mural painted on the side of Friday Harbor Drug where the old part of the building joins the new.
In 1972, Tom Brudenell was living on Shaw, and spending part of his time going to rural communities throughout the state, helping to create what he calls “people’s murals.” He was asked to facilitate the creation of one of these in Friday Harbor, as part of the town’s celebration of the centennial of the peaceful resolution of our renowned Pig War. So he gathered together some interested residents of a variety of ages and artistic talents, and as a group, they designed and painted the mural. Tom described his role as a “catalyst of creativity,” simply facilitating the planning and execution of the mural rather than painting it himself. His main job, he said, was to serve as the technical advisor, since none of the town residents involved had much experience in painting murals and therefore needed guidance about how to prepare the wall, what kind of paint to use, etc.
The chair of the Town’s Centennial Committee, Joyce Wampler, named the mural “For Love of an Island.” The mural depicts the past on one side and the present on the other, with the branches of a large Madrona dividing the two. The Discovery, the first English ship to arrive here, appears in the center, and the mural contains numerous images of island wildlife, boats, and people.
After an exhausting day spent exploring the island and enjoying the breathtaking views, we arrived at our hotel to check in for the night. After settling in, we asked for dinner recommendations and were advised to try the San Juan Brewing Company.
I opted for a salami pizza on a cauliflower crust, topped with roasted red peppers, garlic drizzled with hot honey, and finished with parsley.
Cathie went with a Caesar salad.
Connie chose a Philly steak sandwich.
Everything was delicious.
My closing tonight is quite lengthy but something I was thinking about all day. As always, skim through as you please.
God made his creation with intention, craftsmanship, functionality, beauty, and proof. By enjoying his creation we are reminded of his promises. God is always present, faithful, and good. Nature reminds us to slow down and delight in the details our creator has made. It allows us to be still and know that he is God and he is with us. (Psalm 46:10)
Some days I feel God’s power through the wind and crashing waves and, yet, other days I feel God’s peace in the stillness and calm. The outdoors reminds me that God is always present and near. He is there in the stormy hard days and he is present in the calm days with the sun shining down on me. When I need to be reminded of this I simply have to go outside to be fully aware of God’s faithfulness and presence in my life. When I call on the name of the Lord he is there. He has given us all that we need to walk in obedience with him and to have total dependence on him in which we can experience true peace.
“I am with you always.” Matthew 28:20
God has put an immense amount of detail in everything he has made. In the food we harvest and eat, God has a specific purpose for every living thing that he created. God has even put an immense amount of attention to detail in the soil in which our crops grow. If he had a specific purpose for dirt, imagine the purpose he has for each one of us. Each piece of produce God created, he made with intention. God made walnuts with serotonin to enhance our happiness, avocados with vitamin C to boost immunity, and eggs with vitamin B and choline to improve muscle health. He created water to cleanse us, promote brain function, and increase energy.
“God formed us with intention and knows us intimately.” Psalm 139.
The next time you need a simple reminder of God’s promises for you, look for God’s presence surrounding you. He created the world to point us to Him. Find God’s goodness, be filled, and find rest and peace in whom He has called you to be. Go outside and DELIGHT in the details our maker has put into his creation. Spring is a time where it is easy to see God’s beauty in creation. Delight in the flowers that are bringing forth life, go watch a sunset, go for a walk or a hike, watch the birds, and feel the sun on your face. Experience the peace that will wash over you. Remember that God loves you and he is always near to us no matter what season of life we are in.
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”Philippians 4:4-9
