San Juan Island

: Image by StuSeeger via Flickr

You will find large amounts of cyclists on two islands. Neighboring Lopez Island is the flat run for the biker who doesn’t want to work too hard. Orcas is for the more devoted cyclist and offers Moran State Park as the pay off. This 5000 acre reserve is covered with biking and hiking trails. There are several lakes for fishing, swimming and non-motorized boating. Kayaking is hugely popular in this part of the country. Oh yes, waterfalls—several of those. And of course there is the camp ground.

Obstruction Pass Park offers camping as well. It’s small, with only eleven camp sites. It also has limited boat mooring. If you do boat to Orcas and are a fanatic about work while you play, Lieber Haven Resort has WiFi access.

Orcas is known widely by locals for the camping and cycling. But it is also known for its three organized camps: Camp Orkila, Four Winds Westward Ho, and Camp Indralaya. Orkila is run by the YMCA and is open to families, school and other organizations for overnight gatherings. Four Winds is a summer camp offering horseback riding, sailing, and canoeing. Indralya is operated by the Theosophical Society, operating year round.

Whether you are a cyclist wanting a hard work out with the pay off of an amazing view, or part of an organization that wants to get way from city and find some peace again, Orcas has it.

Orcas Island offers a surprising about of diversity as San Juan Islands go. Mount Constitution sits at 2409 feet. It’s no match for the Olympic and Cascade ranges, but it’s the tallest thing on the islands. It also offers something the major ranges do not: a 12th century replica fortress! While there you will also be offered another Orcas original: a 360 degree view of the surrounding area, mountain ranges included, with bald eagles to top it off. The bald eagle is prevalent in this part of the country. It is not abnormal to see a pair floating just about anywhere, including over the top of a local grocery store or elementary school. You will find large amounts of cyclists on two islands. Neighboring Lopez Island is the flat run for the biker who doesn’t want to work too hard. Orcas is for the more devoted cyclist and offers Moran State Park as the pay off. This 5000 acre reserve is covered with biking and hiking trails. There are several lakes for fishing, swimming and non-motorized boating. Kayaking is hugely popular in this part of the country. Oh yes, waterfalls—several of those. And of course there is the camp ground.
Obstruction Pass Park offers camping as well. It’s small, with only eleven camp sites. It also has limited boat mooring. If you do boat to Orcas and are a fanatic about work while you play, Lieber Haven Resort has WiFi access. Orcas is known widely by locals for the camping and cycling. But it is also known for its three organized camps: Camp Orkila, Four Winds Westward Ho, and Camp Indralaya. Orkila is run by the YMCA and is open to families, school and other organizations for overnight gatherings. Four Winds is a summer camp offering horseback riding, sailing, and canoeing. Indralya is operated by the Theosophical Society, operating year round. Whether you are a cyclist wanting a hard work out with the pay off of an amazing view, or part of an organization that wants to get way from city and find some peace again, Orcas has it.

: Image via Wikipedia

When you are on a long vacation, seeing all that can be seen, often there comes a time when you need a vacation from the vacation. If you plan your excursion right, you can do that while visiting the San Juan Islands. Port Townsend, which is a short ferry hop from Whidbey Island on the Olympic Peninsula, and Friday Harbor on San Juan Island, are perfect stops to park the car and get back to civilization for awhile. Plan your trip right and you can hit both between your exploratory jaunts.

Port Townsend is loaded with relaxation based palaces to go. It is a small historical town with Victorian homes, many of which can be toured. There are bed and breakfasts, art galleries, and Centrum, an arts foundation that gives you the chance to absorb jazz, classical music and even fiddle festivals. Fort Worden, one of three 19th century forts on the Puget Sound, houses a museum and a theater. An interesting note: the film, Officer and a Gentleman, was filmed here. It is a town in which you can relax and have some fun.

Friday Harbor? Luxurious in a tucked away setting. Hotels, cottages, bed and breakfasts, fine restaurants. It’s all there: hot tubs, in room massages and pet friendly. Interesting mix. They know what you need. And in case you are one who can never just relax: sea kayaking. Once you dry off, Friday Harbor has its own historic district and museums. The town has some history, being started by the Hudson’s Bay Trading Company in 1845, beginning as a salmon curing station. Ask a local about the “Pig War”, a skirmish between Canadians and Americans at the time. Yes, it was a long time ago and quite humorous.

Finished with these two towns but want more of the same? Roche Harbor is your next stop. But don’t let the evening regalia there surprise you. Every night at sunset the colors ceremony commences with anthems and cannon. The cannon is there to wake you up from your vacation away from the vacation and get you kick started again!

Orcas Island

San Juan Island Rest Stops

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