South Beach (San Juan Island)

I'd heard South Beach, which is part of the American Camp in the San Juan National Historic Park, was pretty fantastic so we definitely made sure it was on our list.  I had no idea... I mean really.  There are certain places that people will tell you you MUST go. So you go and it's great.  But then there are places where people tell you should go and you go..... and just.... wow....  you're left almost speechless.

If the way I felt when we turned down this little road that lead to the sea was any indication, I knew it was going to be a pretty fabulous afternoon.  The colors here, I can't even tell you.... the reds, golds and greens in the dunes set against the blues of the pacific set against the afternoon sky...  

Pulling in we were greeted with a giant log jam of driftwood, which of course made the fort builders in the family pretty happy. 

This masterpiece was already present upon our arrival but the boys worked on some "improvements". 

And this one got straight to work on her own piece of rustic landscape. 

It was a half-dome complete with game area.  Very nicely done!

But wait, what's that?  Oh yes, the water... 

The pebble/sand beach ran all the way down this side...

So of course we had to horse around there for a while...

And spend some time searching for the perfect stones to bring home for souvenirs...

And maybe rig up some playground equipment along the way... 

Heading the other way down the beach, just across this rocky outcrop in the dunes, was the rocky side of the beach. 

Admittedly none of us could resist the draw of wondering what was beyond the first set of rocks...

Or the thrill of crossing the driftwood "bridge" across the very deep 20 ft. wide crevice...

We explored until our hearts were content...

And filled up on adventure...

We played along the shore from there to here and back again...

Hunger eventually lured us back to the car, but it was hard to leave...

Until we meet again South Beach...

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