San Juan Island is like a giant park.
It’s a two hour drive from Seattle(/Kent) to the Anacortes ferry and then another hour to the island, but the good news is that the view from aboard that ferry alone is worth the commute.
Until now, I can’t remember having ridden a ferry by driving a car onto it, but it’s an experience to be had. You can take your bicycle too and the island is pretty bike friendly.
While aboard, we saw an otter, seal, and a many birds. A sign showing the Whale Trail says that it’s possible to see even larger sea life along the way (orcas, whales, and porpoises, among others!).
We brunched after we arrived in Friday Harbor. The town is pretty small, like it might take 30-40 minutes to walk around all the main streets.
Our San Juan Island experience pretty much consisted of driving on the scenic byway around the island. Stop #2 was a sculpture garden.
There were poems around the park and art. For example:
“On Mud Flats”
Where
the smell is,
Life is.
– D. M. Jenkins
After wandering around we found the piece that highlighted the park. An easel. And approaching it from the back we anticipated something terribly cheesy.
Cheesy it was!
But also made for plenty of awesome photos.
Next up, an alpaca farm, lavender farm, and some lavender ice cream!
I could not believe how tasty the ice cream was and how well the lavender flavor came through.
We stumbled upon a huge strawberry sculpture, among a few others, and ran into the local artist who constructed these huge works while visiting.
The highlight of the island (aside from the mirror easel) was seeing bald eagles!
A pair of them were on the lookout atop a tree that was RIGHT NEXT TO THE ROAD WE WERE DRIVING DOWN. I was so awestruck there was no time for a photo, even thought they looked ready to have their portraits taken for a Getty Images.
Spent some time enjoying the lookout spots along the coast before it was time to return to Friday Harbor for our ferry back.
Lovely. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for reading!!
I love all the pictures especially the cheese one ?
Haha thanks, me too!
Ditto to previous comments about your beatiful snapshots!
You found awesome lavender ice cream, to be able to taste it above the rich milk base! There used to be an eagle nest by A’s elementary school. Always so thrilling to see them.