San Juan Island

After creating a countdown calendar and crossing off the numbers each morning, Anya was happy the day finally arrived that Dondon and Grangie came to visit. Chris and I were glad to see them too.

Bright and early the next morning, we met up with Lynn and Steve and caught the ferry to Friday Harbor for a long weekend. The weather was as good as it gets for this time of year there (around 60 and sunny), so we spent most of the daylight hours out and about enjoying it. 

After getting off the ferry and checking out Friday Harbor a bit, we headed over to English Camp for a picnic lunch.  We got a refresher on the Pig War  between American and British soldiers. The Brits certainly picked a pretty spot for a base. 

We wandered the grounds and checked out sea creatures in the bay. Anya, of course, got right in the water and joined in with a group of Wenatchee middle-schoolers and their science teacher who were exploring. She found a large hermit crab, among many other things. 

Anya with her hermit crab and wearing her new hiking vest from Dondon and Grangie*

We all then took a short-ish, steep-ish hike up Mt. Young and were awarded with some breathtaking views. What a treat to have a sunny, warm day and a clear view across the water.

 Anya trying to get closer to some deer on the hike.

 lookout point

 looking toward Vancouver Island

made it to the top!

After our time at English Camp, we headed back to Friday Harbor, settled in to our house, and the kid and some grownups got some swimming time in. The rest of the evening consisted of going out to dinner and getting into the wine.

The next morning, the guys and Anya grabbed their gear to go to Egg Lake to get some early fishing in. No luck on the fish, but they managed to catch some doughnuts to bring home for breakfast. 

After breakfast, we went to American Camp at the southern end of the island. We took a long walk through the trails and ended up at the beach. It was a pretty walk; at one point we spotted 4 bald eagles above us.

We checked out a few places within the camp to set up for a picnic and settled on one at 4th of July Beach. It was a bit windy out, so this location was protected and a great spot. Everyone hung out at the beach for quite awhile, Anya collected several beautiful rocks and gifted them to Grangie.

one of several bald eagles

driftwood obstacle course on the beach 

After we had our fill of American Camp, we drove to the other side of the island to check out Roche Harbor. It was a small, cute place with some very large boats. 

 looking for more sea creatures

Roche Harbor

After we got back to the house, Anya got more swimming in, and then we all went out for pizza. The next morning, we checked out early and parked our cars in the ferry line. We went out for breakfast (which had the same waitress as the pizza joint), and walked around town/dock until it was time to board the ferry.

When we got home, we were greeted to pink flamingo lawn ornaments decorating our yard. It was for a St. Catherine's fundraiser and the Jackys had them put there. 

The next day, Anya, Dondon, Grangie, and I went to Carkeek Park to do a little hike in the woods to the beach. Apparently we didn't get enough beach time on San Juan Island. Later that afternoon, Dondon and I took Anya to swim lessons, and then came home and we made a nice dinner to end the evening. Tuesday morning, they flew back home.

It was an excellent visit and we look forward to our next one.

*These pictures were all taken by Dondon. Thanks, dad!