Trumpeter Inn

Trumpeter Inn is a Bed & Breakfast, located 2 miles inland from Friday Harbor.

The inn has 6 rooms. I had the Chamomile Inn with a queen bed. There is no refrigerator in the room but there is one in the kitchen that is shared by the other guests. The room has no TVs but there is free wifi.

The bathroom is beautiful. There are robes in the room to use during your stay.

Sitting area.

Free homemade cookies and snacks. You can also help yourself to drinks in the refrigerator.

Breakfast is delicious. Goat cheese frittata one morning.

Puffy apple pancake on another.

The inn is very quiet and peaceful.

There are alpacas onsite and they're adorable.

There are also goats on the property.

Grab a chair and unwind.

2019 07 02

Lime Kiln Point

I came to San Juan Island to look for orcas. I had heard one of the best places to see them is at Lime Kiln Point on the western edge of the island.

It's a state park and you need a Discovery Pass. If you don't have one, you can buy a day pass for $10 or buy an annual pass for $30 at the little store near the lighthouse.

The whales can be seen from May to September. In 2019, the whales didn't return until mid August. Apparently, they're very picky eaters and eat only Chinook salmon. The salmon population has really decreased in recent years and the whales have taken longer to return.

The lighthouse is staffed with rangers who can tell you about the whales. You can also ask them where you can see whales. They use shipfinder.com and track the whale watching boats. When the boats cluster in an area, it's a good sign the whales are there.

2019 07 02

American Camp & English Camp

San Juan Island is the site of the Pig War, a dispute in the 1850s between the US & Great Britain over ownership of the island. They were able to settle it with peaceful arbitration.

The American Camp is located at the southern end of the island. There is a Visitor Center where you can get details of the Pig War. 

Just outside the Visitor Center is an eagle's nest with 2 juvenile bald eagles.

You can take a leisurely hike to view what remains of the camp.

You can even walk down to the water's edge.

Or drive to the end of the road and see the lighthouse.

The English camp is located at the north end of the island, just south of Roche Harbor.

The English Camp is much more elaborate, complete with formal garden but there is no visitor's center.

There is an old lime kiln in English Camp.

2019 07 02 & 03

Market Cafe

Market Cafe was recommended and I stopped there for lunch, It's located at 225 A Street.

Cup of the soup of the day--Sockeye Salmon Chowder--$6 and 1/2 Roast Beef & Rocket sandwich--$6.50. The chowder had good flavor but it had way too many veges in it. The sandwich was tasty but could have used a little horseradish.

2019 07 02

Friday Harbor

Friday Harbor is the main town on San Juan Island.

Coming by ferry, you arrive at the ferry terminal in the northeast of the island.

The Washington State ferry in dock.

There are also leisure boats in the harbor.

Memorial Park in the center of town. It was first set aside as a park in 1890 and dedicated in 1921 to the US Army & Navy servicemen who fought in WWI.

The Whale Museum is located at 62 First Street. Admission is $9 for adults, $6 for seniors over 65 yo and $4 for kids 5-18 and for college students.

There's a pig at the site of the old Friday Harbor Brick & Tile Company.

The San Juan Island National Park office is located at 165 First Street. They don't have much information there.

Just a few doors down is the San Juan Island Visitor's Center. Go upstairs and you'll find someone who can give you some information about the island.

The town came out for the 4th of July parade. 

2019 07 02

Washington State Ferries

I left Seattle at 6 am for the 1 1/2 hour drive to Anacortes to catch a Washington State Ferry to Friday Harbor.

Cars line up well before the scheduled departure time.

There is a waiting area for foot passengers, a small cafe and a gift shop.

Cormorants on the pier.

The fee depends on the length of your vehicle. It's $53.50 roundtrip for the smallest car and the trip takes a little over an hour from Anacortes to Friday Harbor.

Seating area in the ferry. You can also find tables & chairs.

2019 07 02

Molly Moon's

For dessert, we went to Molly Moon's for ice cream.

There are several locations. We went to the one at 321 W. Galer St. 

I got the Cookie Dough (cinnamon ice cream and oatmeal cookies) and my husband got the Lavender Honey. Two cones were expensive at $10.99.

2019 07 01

List

List is my favorite Happy Hour in Seattle. It's located at 2226 First Street.

Grilled Octopus Salad with Citrus Emulsion--$8. One of my favorites.

Spicy Meatballs--$6. This was okay.

Handmade Gnocchi with Black Truffle Cream--$8. Loved the flavor.

Lettuce, Goat Cheese & Pear Salad--$5. I like the creamy cheese with the firm pear.

Grilled Chilean Sea Bass--$9. Another great dish.

I had a glass of their House White, which was a Pinot Gris--$5.50

2019 07 01

Mediterranean Inn

Our home for the night was the Mediterranean Inn in Seattle.

The Mediterranean Inn is located at 425 Queen Ann Avenue. You can pay for parking at the hotel or just park on the street.

Lobby of the hotel. You can get a free bike from the front desk.

The hotel has a rooftop area with great views of the Space Needle and Elliott Bay. The front desk will provide you with a corkscrew and wine glasses if you want to have a drink on the roof. There's a Safeway nearby.

The rooms come with a microwave and mini fridge.

2019 07 01

Nutty Narrows, Longview, OR

We made a detour in Longview to see the squirrel bridge. I had read about this wacky bridge many years ago but couldn't remember where it was exactly. I typed "Squirrel Bridge" in Google Maps and it actually found it.

The squirrel bridge, named Nutty Narrows, connects trees across a busy road, providing a safe route for the squirrels. Originally built in 1963, it has been moved and refurbished several times. It's the "World's Narrowest Bridge." 

2019 07 01