I’m in the parking lot of the Orcas Island Library, which offers free WiFi access. It turns out the neighbor’s WiFi that I’d been, um, security auditing the past few days disappeared yesterday afternoon, so we’ve been offline for a while. The library’s network doesn’t seem to like picture uploads, either, so you won’t see much until I can solve that particular problem. Shame, too, as its absolutely gorgeous here.
What makes me a bit ticked is evidence that the house we’re renting has DSL. It’s got network jacks in the wall and DSL filters hanging from the phone jacks, just no equipment. I don’t know why the owner simply didn’t leave it for his guests to use, since it wouldn’t cost him anything to do it, but who knows. I’ll look for a wired rental next time, simply for the convenience of using the Internet to find interesting things to go and do. The house is smack in the middle of a residential area and all the outside fun is a car ride away, which complicates things a bit.
I wasn’t sure we’d get out the door yesterday. I found out soon afterward that I wasn’t completely ready to go hiking far away from any restrooms. A little Imodium later, however, and I felt confident enough to go on the hike.
We drove up to Mount Constitution around 9 AM and took in the impressive view. After marching around the top of the mountain, we drove over to see Cascade Falls. The kids did beautifully marching around the trails. We got a lot of good pictures of us in the woods.
After a wonderful lunch at Olga’s Cafe, where the kids made some new friends; and naps, we took the kids out to a shore-side park, in front of the Landmark Inn downtown. The kids played a “concert” on the driftwood, attracting some smiles from the fellow tourists. The kids in their group seemed to bond with Hallie and Travis, and soon they were chasing each other all over the grass. I swear Kelly and I must have said “we’ve got to go get dinner” for an hour before we finally did drag ourselves away! The kids wanted to keep in touch, so we traded email addresses. As we were leaving, their father said his youngest daughter told him she wanted to marry Travis! Nice, but he’s got a little time for that!
Everyone was wiped at 9 PM, so we all went to bed. A good night’s sleep followed.
The kids woke up just shy of 6 AM again. Rather than shush them to sleep again, I got up and showered, thinking there is no real use in getting off East Coast time. The gorgeous sunrise promised an even nicer day today than yesterday. Turns out it was right!
After breakfast, we again drove straight to Moran State Park, this time to Cascade Lake. The kids tore around the playground while I opted to return to the house to fetch warmer clothes. When I returned, we hiked through the woods, halfway around the lake and back. The kids got a bit whiny at midpoint but rallied nicely when they were given rides on their parents’ shoulders. It was their usual naptime so I can’t blame them for being a bit grouchy. They did manage to walk out of the woods on their own, which made us all happy.
The kids are napping now. Kelly’s likely reading Harry Potter on the back porch, glass of Two Buck Chuck in her hand. The house’s windows are all open, with a cool breeze keeping things around 72 degrees. There is not a cloud in the sky. Mount Ranier is clearly visible from the back porch.
After the kids wake, we plan to head back to the top of Mount Constitution for an even better view than the other day. Then we might find some more trails to hike or something.
Seeing all the sailboats here makes me crave getting out on the water. I don’t know if there are marinas here that rent the kind of sailboats we’d need, nor if anyone else is up for that kind of fun. Maybe next time.
There is a fly in happening at the Orcas Island Airport this weekend, which promises to be fun. Lots of planes to see, food, and fun. I’m hoping the biplane rides that are offered at the airport will be available at a special rate. I’ve had a biplane ride before over Falls Lake and can tell you they’re quite a thrill. The tourist rides here cost over 200 bucks, though. Ain’t happening.
Tomorrow we hope to catch an early ferry and explore the other large island here, San Juan Island. The best ferry leaves at 7:45, which means we have to be ready to go a bit early. With our latest wakeups, that shouldn’t be a problem, I’m guessing.
I’ll finish this post before heading back. I’ll probably take some pictures around Eastsound first, too, since its such a gorgeous day.
Found a reference to your blog on desticam.com. Desticam has webcams on three of the islands (though the Orcas one seems to be down right now.) I like to check the weather on the island and sometimes just sit and imagine I’m back there.
We love the island so much that we’ve bought land up on Buck Mountain and are going to build our retirement home there. On our last trip (2nd week in June) we took my stepson and his girlfriend to see the property. She’s an architect and has volunteered to help us with the design and get us started.
We made the same day trip to San Juan. To our eyes it is nowhere near as pretty as Orcas but the whale museum is fun and there is always a chance you will see some whales over on the west side of the island at Lime Kiln park. (Gas is also $0.25 per gal cheaper there.)
Have you taken the kids to the Funhouse Discovery Center (30 Peapatch Lane)? Something to do if it rains or if you are not feeling up to a hike. Also the museum, upstairs at Rosario is interesting. Just park in front of the hotel and go in the lobby. To the right of the desk clerk are stairs up to the museum area. No charge. They have kept it mostly like it was when Moran lived there. Also Madrona Point park is nice and close to downtown. From downtown Eastsound, head south on Haven Road. Madrona Point is at the end.
We liked the Protofino Pizzeria (upstairs next to the movie theater). You can sit outside on the patio under the umbrellas and it’s quite pleasant (no smoking!).
There is also a little Mexican restaurant named Chimaya (hidden inside Our House Mall, North Beach Road) that we liked. Our real estate agent
We can also recommend The Kitchen if you like Asian food.
Rose’s is also OK but a bit pricier.
In a previous life I lived for 10 years in Burlington NC. My youngest daughter just graduated from NC State (for the 3rd time) so I am very familiar with Raleigh. (How did you hear about Orcas? From the article in the News and Observer?) Currently working in Sussex, NJ tho we live in Melbourne Beach, FL.
Ron
PS. I’m thinking you are probably seeing Mt. Baker rather than Mt. Rainier. If you drive east on Mt. Baker road you usually can see Mt. Baker in front of you.
Hi Ron!
Thanks for stopping by! I assume Desticam simply grabs blog feeds and that’s what led you to me, but I’m glad you visited all the same.
Yes, you’re correct, that is Mount Baker, which I learned last night. I’ll correct that in my afternoon post.
Thanks for the sightseeing tips too, especially about the Rosario museum. The more I read about Robert Moran, the more fascinated I am about his life. Kelly didn’t have much inclination to see Rosario but the museum may be the thing that convinces her.
Glad to hear you raised your daughter right, too. Go Pack! 🙂
Robert was a neat guy. When you get to Rosario, turn around and look to the right. You should see two houses that are almost identical. They were built by Robert for his sons. Seems their wives were into one-upping each other and Robert got tired of it and built both houses exactly alike. They been modified slightly since then by later owners but you can see they are the same plan.
Robert was told he had 6 months to live when he lived in Seattle. He moved to Orcas to spend his remaining years and actually lived about 40 more years. Shows what a good place the island is!
Obstruction Pass park and Turtleback Mountain are two other places that are not well known. We haven’t been to either yet but there is supposed to be a nice beach (for exploring – not bathing) at Obstruction Park but you probably have to hike in 1/2 mile or so. (Make the turn at the Olga Cafe like you were going to Doe Bay but before you get there take a right turn where the road makes a Y. Go about a mile and on your right is a small sign. It’s a dirt road several miles long but in good condition which takes you to a parking lot. You have to hike in from there. Ask the locals about hiking trails and distances. (We went Kayaking at Spring Bay Inn on the same road on our last trip. Unfortunately the wind was up so it was more work than pleasure. $30/ person but I don’t know if your kids are old enough. They use two-passenger kayaks so they wouldn’t really have to paddle. http://www.springbayinn.com/director.php?content=kayaktours.)
Turtleback was on your left as you came from the ferry. It was just recently saved from development and turned into a park by a fund-raising campaign. Gary Larson (of the FarSide cartoon) lives on Orcas and in support of the fund-raising drew a special cartoon that was put on T-shirts and given to donors of $150 or more. Wish I’d known about it at the time.
http://www.sjpt.org/turtleback.php
Supposedly there are two trails open on Turtleback. Old logging roads mostly. One is supposed to have a nice view but it will probably have to wait until your kids are bigger. Again you would have to ask the locals.
I can offer you a really nice picnic spot with what we think is the best view on the island. Email me directly
rkinner
AT
gmail
DOT
com
and I’ll tell you how to get there. It’s our 5 acres up on Buck Mountain. It’s on a private road but if I invite you then it’s OK.
Ron
What? Gary Larson lives here? One of my cartoonist heroes?!?
Wow! Just when I thought this place couldn’t get any better!
Thanks for the picnic offer, Ron, and the advice! You should go into the travel business! 🙂
Oh, and check out the Hallie and Travis page for my wife’s take on the visit.