San Juan Islands

Summer is almost over! As usual, we are saying goodbye in style! We are in the San Juan Islands visiting our good friends Brian, Amy, Elliott, and Owen. We are very lucky to have friends who live in such a great place. While we would probably visit them in an awful place, Friday Harbor is just icing on the cake.

We arrived on Friday. The ferry ride was gorgeous. It is about an hour of sailing from Anacortes, WA to Friday Harbor. One of my favorite memories of living in Seattle was standing in the bow (front) of the ferry. As I stood in that same place on Friday, I couldn't help but reflect on where my life has been in those 15 years. Having a my own family by my side certainly added to the moment.

Saturday, the Boys took the Aeolus out to Stuart Island for night. Stuart is the northwestern most island in the United States. (Trust me, thoughts of escaping to Canada in the rowboat danced through my head.) We did a short dry hike (some foreshadowing here) on Saturday after getting tied up. One of the best dinners of the year was prepared by Chef/Captain Brian. Our Mac n cheese with Chicken sitting on the boat in Reid Harbor was beyond compare. Okay maybe it was just the moment, but dang that was good.

Overnight, the rain decided Stuart Island was nice place to visit too. At first, a steady drizzle so we went head with our planned hike to the Turn Point lighthouse. The little over 2 miles hike was pleasant. On the return trip the steady drizzle decided to bring his friend steady downpour out for a visit. Despite being soaked, the boys happily marched on looking for huge banana slugs and found a Pacific Tree Frog. Through rain and fog, Aeolus and Brian got us home!

Today, we hiked up in Lime Kiln State Park. We leave in the morning but these memories will last a long time...