forty fourth annual
San Juanderer 2014
Your link to the San Juan Islands
A supplement to the Anacortes American
Welcome
T
his scenic string of islands offers exciting kayaking adventures, quiet afternoon bike rides, quaint eateries and enjoyable shopping. The islands’ remarkable natural beauty makes the cares of the world slip away. Everyone can find something that appeals to them with the islands’ wide variety of diversions and educational opportunities. The ferry ride itself is a getaway. The waters surrounding this 2
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spectacular archipelago are home to pods of wild orcas, which can sometimes be seen as you make your way to your island destination. The San Juanderer is a guide designed to help get you started on your island adventures. In the following pages, you will find advice on how to get to the islands and what you will find on each of the main islands. There’s advice on what to see and plenty of tips on Skagit Publishing LLC
what you can do. The attractions of the islands could fill several publications this size, but we tried to include as much information about the islands, unique businesses, historic sites and scenic attractions as possible. We also provide websites and phone numbers where you can learn more about island events. We hope you enjoy the San Juanderer and, more importantly, your visit to the San Juan Islands. skagitvisitor.com
Destinations Anacortes & Fidalgo Island ........... 4-5
Orcas Island .............................. 16-17
Anacortes Festivals ........................ 6-7
Whale Watching ..............................18
Lopez Island .................................. 8-9
Whidbey Island ...............................19
Shaw Island .......................................9
Deception Pass State Park. ..............20
San Juan Island.......................... 10-11
La Conner .......................................21
Map .......................................... 12-13
Golf Courses ............................. 22-23
San Juan Museum of Art ..................14
Sidney, B.C. ....................................23
Wineries..........................................15
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PLAY
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EAT
DISPLAY ADVERTISING MANAGER Deb Bundy dbundy@skagitpublishing.com ADVERTISING OPERATIONS Holly Chadwick, Jody Hendrix, Julia Matylinski, Dana Perry, Karen Sheppard, Patricia Stowell INSIDE DESIGN & LAYOUT Julia Matylinski WRITERS Briana Alzola, Kimberly Jacobson, Joan Pringle ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS Stephanie Harper, Abby Jackson, Danielle Koagel, Tina Pullar, Kathy Schultz, Katie Sundermeyer, Paul Tinnon, John Williams skagitvisitor.com
STAY First Friday Gallery Art Walk
JUNE
(Year Round)
Waterfront Festival Farmer’s Market (Saturdays through October)
APRIL
JULY
SEPTEMBER Oyster Run
OCTOBER
Bier on the Pier
NOVEMBER
Skagit Valley Tulip Festival Spring Wine Festival Spring Vintage Market
4th of July Parade Shipwreck Day
Fall Vintage Market
MAY
AUGUST
Anacortes Arts Festival Workboat Races
Tree Lighting Event Christmas Concert Lighted Boat Parade
Trawler Fest
DECEMBER
anacortes.org Skagit Publishing LLC
SAN JUANDERER | APRIL 2014 |
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Anacortes & Fidalgo Island
A
good starting place for any San Juan Islands trip is Fidalgo Island. Not only does the island boast spectacular views, 2,800 acres of forest lands with more than 50 miles of mountain biking and hiking trails and tranquil waters and more than 20 miles of coastlines, its biggest city, Anacortes, is a hub of art and culture. Anacortes, with about 16,000 residents, offers a little bit of everything‚ a variety of restaurants and art galleries, a rich marine heritage, more than a dozen parks, dog-friendly areas and plenty of shopping opportunities. There are festivals throughout the year celebrating and bringing together art, pirates, fishermen, wine, bikers and more. Anacortes is also home to two museums, giving visitors a chance to explore the city’s rich history and colorful characters of the past. Rosario Beach tide pools and 4
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scenic views from atop Mount Erie only begin to showcase the natural beauty available nearby. Some local favorites are a kayak trip at Bowman Bay, a morning walk on the Washington Park Loop Road or across the Tommy Thompson trestle bridge, a whale-watching trip to the San Juans and a hike through the Anacortes Community Forest Lands. A system of waterfront pathways showcases the natural beauty available just blocks from downtown. Mount Erie, in the middle of the island, provides opportunities for mountain climbing along with spectacular views of Mount Baker, the Cascade and Olympic mountains and surrounding bodies of water. You’re never far from saltwater on Fidalgo Island. That means plenty of nearby opportunities for fishing, swimming and boating; by kayak, canoe, sailboat or yacht. Skagit Publishing LLC
Fidalgo Island is home to several freshwater lakes, including Heart Lake, site of a free annual Kids Fishing Derby. It isn’t just about nature views in Anacortes, though. The city has a variety of shopping and dining choices. The downtown area of Anacortes is home to multiple boutique, antique and speciality shops offering everything from kitchen supplies and vintage-style clothing to oneof-a-kind art pieces and jewelry. Restaurants with fares ranging from seafood and burgers to home cooking and international cuisine are within walking distance of each other, offering a little something for everyone. Art abounds in Anacortes. Keep an eye out for Bill Mitchell’s historic murals, which line the exterior of many buildings and represent characters from the island’s past. Remember to browse some of skagitvisitor.com
Events • First Friday Gallery Walk, 6-9 p.m. first Friday of each month at downtown art galleries. anacortesart.com • Farmers Market, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, mid-May through midOctober, and 4-7 p.m. Wednesdays, late June through August, 611 R Ave. Visit anacortesfarmersmarket.org • Productions at Anacortes Community Theatre, 918 M Ave. Call (360) 293-6829 or acttheatre.com
the many art galleries in downtown Anacortes and tour the W.T. Preston snagboat. So, when heading out to explore the San Juans, Anacortes and Fidalgo Island make a great first stop. The Anacortes ferry terminal is about 10 minutes west of downtown. Discover why locals say there’s nowhere better to Coast in. Hang out.
An unexpected find.
Rarely will you discover a jewelry store of this caliber anywhere... let alone in such a beautiful community. We invite you to come in.
J
ewelers since 1930
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Skagit Publishing LLC
7TH & COMMERCIAL • ANACORTES 293-6469 • burtonjewelers.com TOLL-FREE 1-888-293-6469
HOURS
Monday - Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. SAN JUANDERER | APRIL 2014 |
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Anacortes Festivals
Boating enthusiasts, art lovers and leather-clad bikers can all find at least one major Anacortes event that will tickle their fancy. Trawler Fest May 13-17 at Cap Sante Marina: A niche boat show that includes displays of long-range cruising powerboats, land-based exhibits, indepth seminars and social activities for the cruising under power community. Visit www.passagemaker.com.
Bark in the Park Waterfront Festival June 7-8 at Cap Sante Marina: Family-friendly marine celebration that includes free boat rides, music, radio-controlled boats, kids activities, a marine swap meet, vendor booths and food. Visit www.anacortes.org.
St. Merryfest June 13-15: Traditional event that starts the summer with carnival rides, food and entertainment at St. Mary Catholic Church, 4001 St. Mary’s Drive.
Just a 5 Minute Ferry Ride...Ferry at 6th & I St • On Guemes Island, easy to get to from Old Town Anacortes • The island is a rustic getaway and a perfect family vacation • Shop Anderson’s for essentials, gas & ice cream • Rent a bike or bring your own • 4 star food in the restaurant • Happy hour in our loft, porch or patio • Live music on many weekends • Anderson’s is the heart & soul of the island
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July 4 Celebration The event begins with a town portrait at 10 a.m. in downtown Anacortes. Parade at 11 a.m., patriotic program at Causland Memorial Park, Rock the Dock featuring musical acts, activities and vendors, and fireworks over Fidalgo Bay at dusk.
Kids-R-Best Fest July 12 at Storvik Park: Free event with inflatable toys, games, food, face painting, entertainment and more between 29th and 32nd streets.
Shipwreck Festival July 19: Fills several blocks downtown with booths filled with plunder. Visit www.shipwreckfest.org.
An-O-Chords Summer Show and Salmon BBQ 293-4548
GuemesIslandStore.com
June 14 at Storvik Park: Canines and their humans enjoy a pet parade, costume contest, demonstrations, games and more.
July 26-27: Barbershop music at its best. skagitvisitor.com
Home
is where your friends are!
Anacortes Arts Festival
Oktoberfest Bier on The Pier
Aug. 1-3: The city’s biggest annual event. Ten blocks downtown are closed to traffic to make room for art and activities sure to delight all ages. More than 250 street artists, selected by a jury for diversity and quality, set up booths. Lots of hands-on children’s activities. Visit www.anacortesartsfestival.com.
Oct. 3-4: Features samples from 30 Northwest breweries and German fare at Pier 1, First Street and Commercial Avenue. Visit www.anacortes.org.
Workboat Races and Pirate Faire Aug. 23: Workboats races in the Guemes Channel and more. The event includes sea chanteys, chowder and pirates. Visit www. anacortesworkboatraces.com.
Antique Engine and Machinery Show Sept. 13 near the W.T. Preston snagboat: For those interested in oldtime gadgets and gizmos. Tractors, trucks, engines, saws and more to check out.
• HOME-COOKED MEALS • HOUSEKEEPING • LINEN SERVICE • ACTIVITIES • ENTERTAINMENT & MORE! All on one level. Staffed 24 hours a day. Studio, one & two-bedroom.
CAP SANTE COURT Retirement Community 1111 32nd St., Anacortes 360-293-8088 www.capsantecourt .com
Oyster Run Sept. 28: The largest motorcycle rally in the Pacific Northwest. Vendors fill side streets with bike gear, leather goods, jewelry and more, while drill teams perform stunts. Visit www.oysterrun.org.
Come Home to Cap Sante Court!
Lopez Island
B
e prepared to wave when you visit Lopez Island. It’s said to be the friendliest island with inhabitants regularly waving at passers-by. Lopez is the first island you come to when arriving in the San Juans by Washington State Ferries. It is one of the smaller main islands at less than 30 square miles with about 2,200 full-time residents. Many residents make their living from farming, fishing and raising livestock. Lopez Island offers a mix of experiences that can fill a day, or more. Walk out the wind-swept sand spit at Spencer Spit State Park. Browse the bookstore, shops and galleries 8
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in Lopez Village. Rent a bicycle and pedal the island’s bike-friendly flat roads. Enjoy a glass of wine at Lopez Island Vineyards. Lopez is one of the flattest islands, making it ideal for bicyclists all year and the Tour de Lopez bike tour held each April. The island is also great for kayaking, boating, whale watching, eagle spotting, hiking, fishing and golfing. Travelers will have no problem finding a place to stay the night with the number of inns, cottages, cabins and tent sites, but book ahead in the summer. And there are plenty of places to dine. Artist studios and galleries, Skagit Publishing LLC
restaurants and shops make up Lopez Village. The village also includes a post office, bank, medical clinic, library and chamber of commerce office. Public restrooms, showers and picnic tables are accessible to the public near the 5-acre community center with a pavilion, performance center, children’s center and skate park. Additional attractions include state and county parks, summer farmers market, Weeks Wetland Preserve, Historical Society & Museum and the restored Port Stanley Schoolhouse.
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Lopez Island Events • Farmers Market, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, mid-May through mid-September, Lopez Village. lopezfarmersmarket.com
Shaw Island Shaw Island boasts sandy beaches, easy biking and the perfect location for a peaceful day trip. The island is about 7.7 square miles and has a county park, a general store, a post office, library and museum. There is also a historic one-room school known as the Little Red Schoolhouse, which is on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Opened in 1890, it is the longest-running school in Washington state. There are two Catholic religious institutes of nuns on Shaw Island; Benedictine nuns and the Sisters of Mercy. Nuns of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist ran the island’s only store and ferry terminal until 2004. Shaw Island was featured on an episode of the television political drama “The West Wing” as a site of a standoff between terrorist suspects and the U.S. government. Walk-on and bike passengers ride the inter-island ferry to Shaw Island for free. skagitvisitor.com
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SAN JUANDERER | APRIL 2014 |
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San Juan Island
S
an Juan Island is the most populated of the islands with most people living in the communities of Friday Harbor and Roche Harbor. Spectacular scenery, wildlife, outdoor adventures, quiet getaways and just enough urban diversions to spice things up make this delightful island an ideal vacation getaway. Picturesque Friday Harbor, the site of the Washington State Ferries landing, has more than enough shops, galleries, theaters and museums to occupy visitors. Numerous eateries range from a casual oyster grill to fine waterfront dining. There’s ethnic cuisine, Northwest fare, seafood and simple soups and sandwiches. The San Juan Historical Museum, 405 Price St. in Friday Harbor, is open Wednesday through Sunday, May through September, and includes a restored farm house, original county jail and log cabin. The barn on museum grounds is being converted into the interactive educational Museum of History and Industry. The Whale Museum, 62 First St. in Friday Harbor, is open daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, $3 for students 10
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and free for children 4 years old and younger. The museum promotes stewardship of whales and the Salish Sea ecosystem through education and research. The Southern Resident Orcas can often be seen in person at Lime Kiln Point State Park on the west side of the island. Roche Harbor is an historic seaside village with a resort, marina and restaurants. In the heart of the island, look for roadside stands offering colorful blooms, a golf course and San Juan Island Vineyards. Pelindaba Lavender has a visitor center, tours, activities and the Gatehouse Farm Store. Krystal Acres Alpaca Farm has 80 acres of more than 70 alpacas. Alpaca sweaters, coats and cuddly toys are available in the Country Store. Island events include an opening day boat parade in May, wine tasting in June, arts fair in July, county fair in September, Oktoberfest, film festival in November, and holiday lights and caroling festival in December. For more information contact the San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce at (360) 378-5240 or go to www.sanjuanisland.org. Skagit Publishing LLC
Roche Harbor One of the main attractions on San Juan Island is Roche Harbor on the northwest side with its three waterfront restaurants, historic Hotel de Haro and 377-slip Roche Harbor Resort Marina. A former company town built up around the Roche Harbor Lime Company in the 1890s, Roche Harbor became a resort for boating families in the late 1950s and grew into a tourist village. Attractions include remnants of the former lime works, Our Lady of Good Voyage chapel built in 1892, more than 6 miles of hiking trails, and village artist booths open late June through early September along with several unique shops. Historic accommodations include cottages left behind by the company town, four deluxe McMillin Suites in a home overlooking the harbor, and the Hotel de Haro built in 1886 and furnished with original antiques. The Afterglow Spa at the Roche Harbor Resort offers everything from herbal baths to bridal services that include professional makeup artistry and hair styling. The resort can be used as a jumping-off spot for sea kayaking or skagitvisitor.com
for renting a moped for a ride around the island. The Roche Harbor Old-Fashioned July Fourth celebration is free and includes a family 3.3K fun run, logrolling contest, blindfolded dinghy race, doughnut eating contest, live music and fireworks over the harbor. For more information, call (800) 4518910 or visit www.rocheharbor.com
The Pig War As the story goes, it all started over the shooting of an English pig by an American settler. That pig turned out to be the only casualty of the 13-year Pig War, between the American Army and British Royal Navy, whose countries both laid claim to San Juan Island. It began in 1859 when the unfortunate pig wandered into a potato patch. It ended when the islands became United States territory and the permanent boundary between the U.S. and Canada was settled. The original conflict was between the British Hudson’s Bay Company and American settlers on the island. The pig belonged to Charles John Griffin, an agent of the fur trading company sent there to manage a sheep ranch and farm. The settler who shot the pig, Lyman Cutlar, eventually offered to pay for the dead animal, but the two haggled over its worth. The disagreement escalated with the Ninth U.S. Infantry under Capt. George Picket and the 31-gun steam frigate HMS Tribune under British Capt. Geoffrey Phipps Hornby being dispatched to the island. Both sides followed with further reinforcements but the standoff never came to gunfire. The island remained occupied by both nations’ military until 1872 when a three-man arbitration commission awarded the islands to the United States.
Today the pivotal sites of the war can be found in San Juan Island National Historical Park. They include the American Camp on the island’s southern peninsula and English Camp on the island’s northwest edge next to Westcott Bay. Both camps have officers quarters, barracks and parade grounds along with visitors centers housing artifacts, displays, literature and souvenirs. The American Camp Visitor Center is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday through May 25, and 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily May 31 through Sept. 1. Special programs include ranger guided history walks, nature programs and orientations during the summer. The English Camp Visitor Center is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily May 31 through Sept. 1. Special programs include ranger guided walks, living history and nature orientations. The park itself is the largest tract of public land on the island with six miles of public shoreline and a network of hiking trails through woodlands and prairies. For more information, call (360) 378-2240 or go to www.nps.gov/sajh.
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Events
• Shows at Waterworks Gallery, 315 Argyle St., Friday Harbor. Call (360) 378-3060 or visit www.waterworksgallery.com. • Classes and workshops at San Juan Islands Museum of Art, 540 Spring St. Visit www.sjima.org. • Outdoor art at San Juan Island Sculpture Park, 8915 Roche Harbor Road. Visit www.sjisculpturepark.com. • Demonstrations and presentations at San Juan Island National Historical Park, English Camp and American Camp. Visit www.nps.gov/sajh. • Farmers Market, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, mid-April through mid-October, at the Friday Harbor Brickworks, 150 Nichols St. Visit www.sjifarmersmarket.com. • Tours and events, Whale Museum, 62 First St., Friday Harbor. Visit www.whalemuseum.org • San Juan Historical Museum, Friday Harbor. Call (360) 378-3949 or visit www.sjmuseum.org. • Artists’ Studio Tour. Visit www.sanjuanislandartists.com • Lavender Festival. Call (866) 8191911 or visit www.pelindaba.com. • County Fair. Call (360) 378-4310 or visit www.sjcfair.org
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ANACORT ES Visitors and Newcomers
Guide to a Special City
and Island in NW Washing
YOUR COMMUNITY-BASED GUIDE TO ANACORTES
ton
• Feature stories • New maps • Demographics • Facts about Anacortes • Resources for public services • One-day outings • Fairs • Festivals and much more!
FLIP THROUGH THE GUIDE AT GOSKAGIT.COM 2014
a n a c o r t e s v i s i t o r.
com
Scroll down on the home page, find the Special Publication section at the bottom, click on Anacortes Newcomers & Visitors Guide and ENJOY!
• SEDRO-WOOLLEY TON • LA CONNER ANACORTES • BURLING MOUNT VERNON •
SKAGIT COUNTY • DECEPTION PASS NORTH CASCAD ES Y • BOW–E DISON • CONCR ETE • CONWA
Visitors and Newcomers Guide
to a Special Corner of NW
Washington
YOUR COMMUNITY-BASED GUIDE TO SKAGIT COUNTY • Feature stories • New maps • Demographics • Facts about Skagit County • Resources for public services • One-day outings • Fairs • Festivals and much more!
FLIP THROUGH THE GUIDE AT GOSKAGIT.COM 2014
S k a g i t V i s i t o r. c o m
Scroll down on the home page, find the Targeted Publication section at the bottom, click on Skagit County Visitors & Newcomers Guide and ENJOY!
San Juan Museum of Art & Sculpture Park
V
isitors to San Juan Island can take in local art through the San Juan Islands Museum of Art in Friday Harbor and the San Juan Islands Sculpture Park near Roche Harbor. In 2012, the museum and sculpture park, once overseen by the same nonprofit organization, separated to become their own entities. The museum is just up the street from the Washington State Ferries landing at 540 Spring Street. The purchase of the new building was completed in January and renovation on the 5,000-squarefoot space started in February. It is scheduled to be completed in late June with an opening exhibition during the Fourth of July holiday. 14
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The museum exhibits works of nationally renowned visual artists and up-and-coming local artists. It also raises funds to support art in Friday Harbor schools. Its mission is to connect people with art that inspires, challenges, enlightens and educates. For more information about the museum, call (360) 370-5050 or go to www.sjima.org.
T
he 20-acre Sculpture Park, at 9083 Roche Harbor Road, has more than 130 outdoor sculptures and five self-guided trails. The art pieces are in bronze, stone, wood, metal, glass and ceramic. The art is loaned to the park and available for purchase. Skagit Publishing LLC
Hours are dawn till dusk every day. Admission is a $5 suggested donation. Kids are free and dogs are welcomed. A big tent with tables and chairs is available for picnics in the park. Visitors can also engrave their name on the 30-foot Friendship Totem, which will be erected when full. New to the park in 2014 is the En Plein Air Challenge. Painters are invited to pick a scene and paint their best image of the Sculpture Park. A winner will be announced Sept. 10 and receive $250. For more information about the Sculpture Park, call (360) 370-0035 or go to www. sjisculpturepark.com. skagitvisitor.com
Island-produced wines and ciders made from homegrown grapes and apples are plentiful in the San Juans. San Juan Vineyards and Lopez Island Vineyards along with Westcott Bay Cider offer tastings throughout the summer on their island estates. Lopez Island Vineyards 724 Fisherman Bay Road Lopez Island (360) 468-3644 lopezislandvineyards.com This winery is a small, family-run business using organically certified grapes from its six-acre estate vineyard along with grapes from Yakima Valley. Recent awards include a platinum award for the vineyard’s 2011 siegerrebe from Wine Press Northwest in winter 2013. Tastings are held in a tasting room in Lopez Village and at the vineyard during various times and dates throughout the year. The winery garden is available for rent for special occasions including weddings, receptions and fundraisers.
Recent awards include gold medals for the vineyard’s 2009 cabernet sauvignon and 2009 cabernet franc at the 2013 Great Northwest Wine Competition.
Westcott Bay Cider 12 Anderson Lane near Roche Harbor, San Juan Island (360) 378-3880 westcottbaycider.com
Wineries Dabinett and Sweet Coppin grown in their San Juan orchards. The medium-sweet, dry and very dry varieties of cider are made from 100 percent apple juice that starts off brown with tannin and then clears to an amber gold as it ferments and mellows. Tastings are 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Westcott Bay Orchards produces and bottles cider from apples such as Kingston Black, Yarlington Mill,
San Juan Vineyards 3136 Roche Harbor Road Friday Harbor, San Juan Island (360) 378-9463 sanjuanvineyards.com San Juan Vineyards was founded by Steve and Yvonne Swanberg and Tim Judkins in 1996. Today it is owned and operated by Yvonne Swanberg. A tasting room is located in an 1895 schoolhouse on the vineyard grounds three miles north of Friday Harbor on Roche Harbor Road. The vineyard grows both madeleine angevine and siegerrebe grapes. The wine is made by Chris J. Primus, who joined the business in 2006. skagitvisitor.com
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SAN JUANDERER | APRIL 2014 |
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Orcas Island
T
he largest island in the San Juans is Orcas Island at almost 60 square miles, plenty of room for the island’s special mix of arts and culture, lush forests, placid lakes and outdoor possibilities. Orcas offers an abundance of shops, potteries, restaurants and museums. Activities include kayak tours, bike rentals, fishing charters and dinner cruises. Events on the island include a farmers market, shows at Crow Valley Pottery and the Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival Aug. 8-23. The two main villages are Eastsound and Orcas Landing, which is served by Washington State Ferries. Smaller communities include Deer Harbor, Olga and Doe Bay. Orcas Landing features gift shops, galleries and several restaurant choices. Eastsound has numerous boutiques, galleries and restaurants. Orcas Island Historical Museum in Eastsound was built using six donated homestead cabins and has approximately 6,000 artifacts, paper documents and photographs. The museum is free for members 16
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and children younger than 12, $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and $3 for students. Hours vary with the seasons. The drive to the west side of the island takes visitors past madronalined shorelines, marinas and Crow Valley School Museum, an 1888 schoolhouse with authentic furnishings and memorabilia. A pleasant side trip takes you to the villages of Westsound and Deer Harbor. Lodging opportunities on the island include camping at Moran State Park, resorts, cabins, inns, cottages and bed and breakfasts. Rosario Resort & Spa, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was built in 1906-1909 for a shipbuilding magnate. The resort’s Moran Mansion today is a museum filled with original fixtures and furnishings. The resort includes the Mansion Restaurant, Moran Lounge and Spa at Rosario. For more information, contact the Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce at (360) 376-2273 or www.orcasislandchamber.com.
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Moran State Park One of the most visited destinations on Orcas Island is Moran State Park at 3572 Olga Road. It’s just a 25-minute drive from the Washington State Ferries landing. The 5,579-acre camping park has five freshwater lakes and more than 30 miles of hiking trails. A highlight is 2,409-foot Mount Constitution, with views of Canada, the Olympic Peninsula and the Cascade Mountains. At the top is a stone observation tower built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1936. The park is open 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. in the summer and 8 a.m. to dusk in the winter. Activities at the park include hiking, biking, boating, fishing, swimming, bird watching and wildlife viewing. Day-use facilities include four kitchen shelters and 61 picnic tables, and a snack bar and boat rentals available Memorial Day through Labor Day. Camping facilities include 151 tent spaces, one dump station, five restrooms and 10 showers. No electric hookup sites are available. skagitvisitor.com
Events • Farmers Market, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays, May through September in the Eastsound Village Green. Visit www. orcasislandfarmersmarket.org. • Shows at Crow Valley Pottery, 2274 Orcas Road, Eastsound. Call (877) 512-8184 or visit www.crowvalley.com. • Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival. Call (360) 376-6636 or visit www.oicmf.org.
Maximum site length is 45 feet. For campsite reservations, call (888) 226-7688 or go to washington. goingtocamp.com. The park was named after Robert Moran, a shipbuilder and former mayor of Seattle. Moran donated more than 2,700 acres to the state for the park in 1921. The state Discover Pass is required for park visitors. A one-day pass is $10 and an annual pass is $30. The pass can be used on either of two vehicles. The pass is not required for those camping or renting overnight accommodations, or just driving through the park to the rest of the island. Free days at state parks are April 19 and 22; May 11; June 7, 8 and 14; Aug. 25; Sept. 27; and Nov. 11. Recreational licenses, available at wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/washington/ index.html, are required for fishing and shellfish harvesting.
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Whale Watching
O
rcas have been used in the history, art and religion of groups in the Pacific Northwest for centuries. The orcas seen around the San Juan Islands are the Southern Resident clan. There are about 80 whales in the three pods of this clan. Two calves were born in 2012. One was born in 2013 but did not survive. They are the only orca population listed as endangered on the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service list. The Southern Resident orcas are most spotted off the coasts of Washington, Oregon and Vancouver Island. They spend much of their summer months in the San Juan area and are often referred to as the The Orcas of the Salish Sea. More than a dozen companies based in Anacortes and the islands provide guided whale-watching tours by boat or kayak to see the endangered species up close. Many of the services guarantee whale sightings, or you can go again for free. 18
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The busy season lasts from spring through summer. Reservations are highly recommended. The Southern Resident whales feed mainly on salmon, herring and rockfish and often can be seen from Lime Kiln Point State Park on the west side of San Juan Island. The 36-acre park, opened in 1984, was originally a limestone quarry. The 1919 lighthouse is used today for orca whale research, interpretation and tours. The interpretive center is open mid-May through midSeptember. Before the mid-1900s, orcas were considered a nuisance to fishermen. People came to see them as a curiosity in the 1960s and 1970s and captured them for public display in marine parks. The captures seriously damaged the population. Thirteen orcas were killed during one roundup. Another 45 were removed from their habitat. The Whale Museum at 62 First St. N. in Friday Harbor has exhibits, artwork, models, a Whale Phone Booth, videos and artifacts on whales including whale skeletons Skagit Publishing LLC
and a family tree of the resident orcas. The information explains the natural history of whales with a special focus on the Southern Resident pods. Opened in 1979, it was the first museum in the country devoted to a species living in the wild. The museum, a nonprofit organization, also oversees several programs including orca adoption, Soundwatch boater education, marine naturalist training, marine mammal stranding network and conservation research. They also operate the Whale Hotline, which allows members of the public to report through phone or the internet when they’ve spotted a whale. The museum is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Cost is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, $3 for youth and college students and free for children 5 and younger. Group rates are also available. Call (360) 378-4710, ext. 30, or go to www.whalemuseum.org for more information. skagitvisitor.com
Whidbey Island
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hidbey Island, just south of the San Juans and Deception Pass, shares the character and leisurely lifestyle of the rest of the islands whether you’re passing through for the day or staying for a week at one of the special inns. The island hosts several events through the year, including the Penn Cove MusselFest in March, Whidbey Island Race Week in July, the Coupeville Arts and Crafts Festival in August and the Whidbey Island Farm Tour in October. Shopping, dining and lodging opportunities abound on the island from Oak Harbor, the largest city to the north, to Coupeville, a quaint waterfront village in the middle, and Langley to the south. Outdoor activities include hiking in Deception Pass State Park, beachcombing along the miles of shoreline, scuba diving in the surrounding waters or cycling over the entire island. Highlights of the island include Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve in central Whidbey. The reserve, created in 1978 to protect a rural working landscape and community, has 17,500 acres with 17 farms, more than 400 historical structures, native prairies and a network of trails. Information is on display at the Island County Historical Museum. The island’s military history can be seen at Fort Casey and Fort Ebey state parks just south of Coupeville.
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Fort Casey, constructed in 1890, is open to the public. Visitors can climb ladders and walk along the bunkers. The original officers quarters today serve as a Seattle Pacific University conference center. Fort Ebey was built in the early 1940s to help protect the Puget Sound from Japan. Today concrete platforms mark former gun locations. The island is also home to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.
The Washington State Ferries terminal right next to Fort Casey leads visitors to the Olympic Peninsula via Port Townsend. Farther south on the island is Greenbank Farm, a communityfounded nonprofit managing 151 acres of publicly owned space and a historic farm. The premises includes galleries, a Sunday market, wine shop, cheese shop, café, trails and picnic areas. Bayview Corner on Whidbey Island’s Scenic Isle Way features shops, wine tasting room, galleries, restaurants, a nursery and more. Clinton to the far south has state ferry runs to the mainland via Mukilteo.
360.293.1915 1305 8th Street Anacortes, WA Exploring the history of Fidalgo and Guemes Islands through: • Educational Programs • Exhibits • Research Library • Special Events
The Carnegie Gallery W.T. Preston & Snagboat Heritage Center 8th Street & M Avenue 9th Street & R Avenue Open Year-Round Tue. - Sat. 10-4 Sunday 1-4 Closed Mondays
Check our Website: museum.cityofanacortes.org Skagit Publishing LLC
Open Weekends: April - October Open Daily: June, July & August Tue. - Sat. 10-4 Sunday 11-4 Closed Mondays
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Deception Pass State Park
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eception Pass State Park covers the southern tip of Fidalgo Island and the north end of Whidbey Island. The two sections are connected by a bridge built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s that offers breathtaking views of the pass and Strait of Juan de Fuca. With Bowman Bay and Pass Lake on Fidalgo and Cornet Bay and Cranberry Lake on Whidbey, visitors’ opportunities for kayaking, fishing, swimming and other water activities are abundant. The park has 77,000 feet of saltwater shoreline and 33,900 feet
of freshwater shoreline, more than 4,000 acres of old-growth forest, and a variety of wildlife that includes 174 different types of birds. Open year-round for camping and day-use, park hours are 6:30 a.m. to dusk in the summer and 8 a.m. to dusk in the winter. Picnic and day-use facilities include 11 kitchen shelters, more than 300 picnic tables, hiking and horse riding trails, seven boat ramps, horseshoe pit, museum, two amphitheaters and a playground. A historical interpretive center is at Bowman Bay on Fidalgo Island. Scheduled events, such as
Whidbey Island Lavender - A Unique Experience At the Farm: Beautiful Lavender Fields Lavender Labyrinth Open Only in the Summer
At the Coupeville Shop: Classes Gift Shop All Year Lavender Food FARM: 2530 Darst Rd. Coupeville, WA 98239 ~ www.lavenderwind.com SHOP IN TOWN: 15 Coveland St., Coupeville, WA 98239 ~ 877.242.7716
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concerts and lectures in the outdoor amphitheater, are posted at the ranger station. For overnight campers, the park has 167 tent sites, 143 utility spaces, five hiker/biker sites, two dump stations, 20 restrooms and 10 showers. Reservations are available by calling (888) 226-7688 or by going to washington.goingtocamp.com. Camping fees range from $12 for a primitive site to $42 for full-utility sites. Check-in time is 2:30 p.m. and check-out time is 1 p.m. The state Discover Pass is required for motor-vehicle access to the park. A one-day pass is $10 and an annual pass is $30. The pass can be used on either of two vehicles. The pass is not required for those camping or renting overnight accommodations. Free days at state parks are April 19 and 22; May 11; June 7, 8 and 14; Aug. 25; Sept. 27; and Nov. 11. Recreational licenses, available at wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/washington/ index.html, are required for fishing and shellfish harvesting. For more information, call (360) 675-3767 or go to www.parks. wa.gov. skagitvisitor.com
La Conner
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a Conner is a town to stroll. Pick up a guide at the Chamber of Commerce and explore the outdoor sculpture exhibition. Order coffee and watch the boats cruise by on the Swinomish Channel. Or enjoy wandering through the downtown shops. Museums are must-sees. The Museum of Northwest Art is right in the middle of things on First Street, and the Skagit County Historical Museum and the La Conner Quilt & Textile Museum in the historic Gaches Mansion are on the hill above town. Founded in the 1880s, La Conner is nestled in cedar and fir forests. Just across Swinomish Channel from Fidalgo Island and the Swinomish Indian Reservation, it is about a 25-minute drive from Anacortes. The iconic Rainbow Bridge that connects the town with the reservation was built in 1957. It was painted with orange rust coating, but the residents liked the color so much that it was never given the formal gray coat. Since the 1930s and 1940s, Northwest artists have drawn inspiration from La Conner and its spectacular surroundings‚ the lovely tulip fields and rural scenery of
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Skagit Valley, and nearby forests and communities. The most famous of these artists, Guy Anderson, Kenneth Callahan, Morris Graves and Mark Tobey, created a fresh style and a regional identity known as the Northwest School.
When the Museum of Northwest Art was established in 1981, La Conner was deemed a natural site because of its association with these master painters. The museum has a fine representative collection of their works and works by other regional artists in a variety of media, including a display of fine glass. Outside the museum, carvings and metal art pop up unexpectedly, part of a rotating outdoor sculpture exhibition in the city’s public spaces. For more information call the La Conner Chamber of Commerce at (360) 466-4778 or (888) 642-9284 or visit www.lovelaconner.com.
LA CONNER MARINA Your Premier Destination on the Swinomish Channel
Our full-service marina is walking distance from great dining and shopping in historic downtown La Conner, WA. Gift bags and courtesy shuttle for guests! The Swinomish Channel is your safe and comfortable route to the San Juan Islands. August 9, 2014 360-466-3118 • VHF 66A • www.portofskagit.com/la-conner-marina Years of Service
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Golf Courses Swinomish Golf Links
12518 Christiansen Road, Anacortes (360) 293-3444 The course was designed by Rod Turner and opened in 1945. It came under new ownership in 2013. The Morgan-Turner family sold more than 200 acres of historic reservation lands to the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, including the course property. The tribe plans to maintain and improve course operations and link it to its nearby Swinomish Casino & Lodge operations and RV park. Public course: 18 holes with 6,177 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 72. Rated: 68.4 with a slope of 110.
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Green fees: $17 to $28 weekdays, $21 to $32 weekends in the summer. Amenities: Driving range, clubhouse, pro shop, snack bar, instruction and cart rentals.
Lopez Island Golf Club 589 Airport Road (360) 468-2679 www.lopezislandgolf.com This unique golf experience offers plenty for all levels of golfers. The nine-hole course offers different tee boxes and pins for the front and back nine, with no tee times and very little wait, if any. Semi-private course, open to the
public: 9 holes with 2,711 yards from the longest tees for a par of 35. Rated: 33 with a slope of 110. Green fees: $20 to $35. Amenities: Clubhouse, golf wear, snacks, club and cart rentals.
San Juan Golf & Country Club 806 Golf Course Road, Friday Harbor (360) 378-2254 sanjuangolfandcountryclub.com Golfers have a chance to take in beautiful views of Griffin Bay while using every club in their bags.
· Unlimited Casino Action
· Swinomish Golf Links – 18 Hole Par 72 Course
· Smoke-Free Luxury Lodge – AAA Three Diamond Hotel Rating
· Swinomish Callaway Performance Center
· 13moons – Fine Dining Restaurant
· RV Park overlooking Padilla Bay
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· Convention and Meeting Space
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SwinomishCasinoandLodge.com
1.888.288.8883 EXPLORE our Rewards!
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Sidney, British Columbia Semi-private, open to public: 9 holes with 3,314 yards from the longest tees for a par of 35. Rated: 36 with a slope of 127. Green fees: $30 to $45 in the summer with a twilight discount after 3 p.m. Amenities: Motorized carts, hand cart and club rentals, PGA instruction, grass tee practice areas, pro shop, clubhouse with full bar and grill, tennis courts.
Orcas Island Golf Course 2171 Orcas Road, Eastsound (360) 376-4400 www.orcasgolf.com The Orcas Island Golf Course was created in 1961. Previously, it was a mustard farm. Ten years later, a practice tee was added and the course was redesigned in 2009. The design takes advantage of the rolling hills and natural water hazards to create a challenging course. Public course: 9 holes with 3,010 yards from the longest tees for a par of 35. Rated: 34/36.6 with a slope of 115 men and 129 women. Green fees: $30 to $45 in the summer, with a twilight discount after 5 p.m. Amenities: Power and pull cart rentals, driving range, practice area, clubhouse.
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idney, British Columbia, is a picturesque town situated in the Gulf Islands with Mount Baker in the distance. This waterfront town of about 11,000 is just a ferry ride away. Check the Washington State Ferries Web site at www.wsdot. wa.gov/ferries for travel options from Anacortes and customs information. You can take the car or just walk on. The ferry terminal is just blocks away from Sidney’s pedestrianfriendly downtown, which offers an excellent variety of stores and specialty shops. Sidney is known as Booktown. You can spend many enjoyable hours browsing through new and used books in a large number of bookstores. Skagit Publishing LLC
Every Thursday evening during the summer Beacon Avenue comes alive with the Sidney Street Market. Other attractions include Mineral World and Scratch Patch, Port Sidney Marina and Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre. If you‘e looking for a site to please the eye and delight the senses, visit nearby Butchart Gardens. The 55acre landscape lets visitors explore flowers, shrubs, trees, expansive lawns and other horticultural delights. Butchart Gardens is 14 miles north of Victoria on Vancouver Island in Brentwood Bay. Call the Sannich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce at (250) 656-3616 for tourist information or visit www. peninsulachamber.ca.
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Center for health & wellness for West Skagit & the San Juan Islands! Island Hospital is one of the most innovative and recognized small hospitals in the U.S. Island offers a Level III Emergency Department, state-of-the-art Diagnostic Imaging and a full range of high-quality services from the Birth Center to Home Healthcare.
• Aesthetic, Reconstructive & Hand Surgery
FREE CAB RIDES FOR ISLAND PATIENTS!
(360) 588-2081
• Birth Center
(360) 299-1331
• Physical, Occupational & Speech Therapy
(360) 299-1328
• Psychiatry & Behavioral Health
Free round-trip transport is available from the Anacortes Ferry Terminal for San Juan County residents who are using Island Hospital or IH clinics. For info visit islandhospital.org; for reservations call:
• Cancer Care Center
(360) 299-4200
• Diagnostic Services, including Mammography, DEXA
(360) 708-6358
(360) 299-1315
• Home Health Services
(360) 299-4297
• Sleep Wellness Center
(360) 299-8676
• Wound Care & Hyperbaric Medicine
(360) 899-4600
Main Switchboard (855) 440-4200
(360) 299-1302
Call main toll-free and ask for connection to any department
• Island Surgeons
(360) 293-5142
• Outpatient & Inpatient Surgery Center
(360) 299-1300
OUR PROMISE
Your best healthcare experience begins at Island Hospital. We always place your emotional and medical needs first and foremost.
1211 24th Street / Anacortes • islandhospital.org
Lopez Island Medical Clinic
High-Quality, Comprehensive Healthcare
(360) 468-2245
Located in Lopez Island Village
Mon – Fri • 8:30am – 5pm
Family Care Clinic of Island Hospital Supported by Catherine Washburn Medical Assn
Working Together with Island Hospital for Quality Medical Care on Orcas Island
(360) 376-2561
7 Deye Lane, Eastsound Mon - Fri • 8:30am – 5pm
Doctor on call 24/7 • www.orcasmedicalcenter.com