Roche Harbor (San Juan Island, WA)

We just recently returned from a weeks vacation in one of our most favorite places, Roche Harbor in the San Juan Islands. Did I mention we were treated to some of the finest weather the PNW has to offer? Seriously sublime. From Seattle it's about a two hour drive, followed by an hour-ish ferry ride, followed by a 15 minute drive to paradise. The U.S./Canadian border runs right through this archipelago of islands, which has a fascinating history with it's British and American camps that you can read about here. It's the kind of place where you take a step back in time and learn how to relax and enjoy your family all over again.  

We've stayed here many times before during the low season and in the summer on our boat in the marina (I've even posted about flying here for date night with my husband before) but this time we we took a deep breath and decided on a once in a lifetime land trip during the summer high season and jumped in, head first (well, in this case it was heart first). Budget wise (at least in the high season) it is like taking a trip to Hawaii.... but just like Hawaii, there are some places that are worth working to save for. The resort sits on the site of the old lime kilns/quarries and has been restored as much as possible to it's era.  Even new buildings must be built to historical standards - it's stunning. Note - a day trip here is always free (except the ferry fees) and there are camping facilities on the island as well as surrounding islands that have daily ferry service to San Juan.  There are lots of options for all budgets! ❈

We rented a two bedroom historical cottage on the lawn overlooking the marina.  It was cozy an suited us just fine. 

If you are a history buff, click on the photo above to enlarge for a description of the original bank of cottages. 

Sadly, the crabbing season opened the day we left.  Next time though!

Every night we walked into the village for ice cream.  This was a "single" scoop of wild huckleberry. The peanut butter fudge (with peanut butter cups) ended up being my flavor of choice by the end of the week. ❈

We brought our kayaks with us so we were able to get out on the water every day.  I had forgotten how  relaxing it is and how happy it makes me.....  This is my little white bird, the Avocet. 

While we were there we did all kinds of resort-y type things like "playing" tennis, bocce ball and swimming in the pool. All right on the bay...

There were shrimp nets and crabs and fish and temporary aquariums...

Just down the path from the cottages are the church and dining rooms...

And behind them sits the old hotel with it's English gardens...  Behind the hotel are new homes and carriage houses build to historical standards.... you feel like you are walking in another time...

There was hiking on the lime -quarry trail...

With gorgeous views of Westcott Bay on the other side of Roche Harbor...

And tucked into the woods is this lovely outdoor theatre. They were doing sunset performances of A Midsummer Night's Dream while we were there... (Excuse the tarping, there was a spectacular thunder and lighting storm the night before, luckily no rain!)

We had bonfires and snuggles and general silliness in spades...

And kayak trips to nearby tiny, wooded islands that are part of the National Parks system...

Right behind our cottage sits the San Juan Museum of Art, a sculpture park...

A great opportunity for more shenanigans...

These two goofballs.... sure love them....

There was walking on the docks every day, dreaming of boats, and working on schemes and plans to get another one...

And of course, there was this...

This...

This...

And this...

On another day, a short stroll through the woods nearby brought us to the McMillin Mausoleum...  

A memorial of quietly epic proportions...

Each chair at the table inscribed and representing a family member...

This is the "Company Store", another restored building.  It sits at the head of the marina...

That would be this marina, in case you've forgotten...

And at the end of every day, at 9 p.m. sharp, was the Roche Harbor colors ceremony.  If you can imagine: Sunset, and every night they play the Canadian National Anthem and My Country Tis of Thee while lowering the Canadian and British flags.  Then they shoot off a canon which is followed by Taps while they lower the American flag. (If you haven't heard Taps played on a bay full of boats, on a beautiful island, at sunset I can tell you that it almost brings tears to your eyes).  Then there is a long moment of silence.  Then out of the quiet comes the high and low cadence of different horns from all the boats in the bay celebrating the end of another day in Roche Harbor.  It's something to take in, I'm telling you....something that soaks into your soul and stays there. 

But wait! There's more!  I haven't told you about:

Our afternoon at South Beach,

Zip lining with Zip San Juan,

Our day with the moped and scoot car rentals

or

the day we went Charter Fishing.

More posts to come!

❈ You can see more posts from this trip under the "trips" link in my side bar.