The enchanting Orcas Island

This is our last day amongst the San Juan Islands. We decided to take full advantage of the ferry and went to the second island of our choice, Orcas Island, but just for a day. It is very pretty, open, and natural here with some breathtaking views. Surprise, surprise, we decided to sample the island…

Always “sleepless in Seattle”…

I love this city and wish we could have spent more time here. After our first 2 days in Washington, I have decided this is one of my top 5 favorite states. The first Starbucks! Admiring the cool retro style Starbucks circa 1971 The Pike Brewing Company- Cyrus knows this place quite well…The majestic towering…

San Juan Winery and a foxy sunset at Southbeach

The creepiest looking foxes I have ever seen!   Have you ever seen a black fox (not to mention the white tipped tail?!)?

Pelindaba Lavender Farm-Friday Harbor

In heaven…bumblebees honeybees I challenged Ru’s photography skills, so he declared a photo shootSoo fun…Love this smell…may be slightly obsessed with Lavender?? “I do”

The Woods Coffee

We love this coffee shop right on the ocean! The barista made the perfect latte for me complete with micro-foam AND rosetta leaf design–my favorite.

Rasar State Park

This is our new home for a few days…where rainforest meets the highlands A snack of strawberries and cream while relaxing in the hammock tucked in the trees Green toes and matching pitcher Hemmed in trail with swampy looking tree ferns We were more than impressed with this campground  Just check out the secret beach…

Bellingham Boundary Bay Brewing Co., Village Books, and Mallard Ice Cream!!!

Here are the two new books I added to my list today: This is one of my favorite childhood books I read every time we visited Grandma Jo: Cyrus with his new “San Juan Islands” book happily preparing for our weekend to the beautiful archipelago This is what we came home to–after jumping the closed…

Cascadian Farms!!

They make organic ice cream here from their home grown berries-a perfect treat after a long day of hiking.  We got some raspberry chocolate chip ice cream, a pint of blueberries, tomatoes, and salsa.

Cascade Pass hike to Doubtful Lake and up to the glaciers

For the first 3.2 miles of the out-and-back trail, we zigzagged up the switchbacks taking in the soaring mountain vistas across the valley to the mountain pass. We heard a rumble at one point and looked over towards a glacier to witness a truck-sized piece of glacier crack off the main piece tumbling a thousand…

Diablo Lake and the gorge on Gorge Lake

Diablo Lake gets it’s emerald color from the fine sediment of glacial run offs…we stayed here in Colonial Creek Campground right on this beautiful lake!