IT'S FIVE OCLOCK SOMEWHERE

No I'm not talking about happy hour and that Jimmy Buffett tune.  That's what time we got up yesterday.  While I realize that many of you get up every morning at that time or earlier, I am not what you would call a morning person unless there is a very good reason.

We had planned a day trip to the San Juan Islands and with the need to catch 2 different ferries, and the need to have reservations on one of the ferries, we had to be in Port Townsend at 6:00am to catch the 6:30am ferry to Coupeville on Whidbey Island.  Our ferry left on time and we were in Coupeville, off the ferry at 7am, and were treated to a beautiful sunrise as we headed north.  We crossed over the beautiful bridge at Deception Pass and arrived at the Anacortes ferry docks in time to catch the 8:30 ferry to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island.

After leaving the ferry we headed out to visit the San Juan National Historic Pa which commemorates the "12 year pig war" between the Americans and the British.  If you are a history buff you would enjoy visiting this area and learning about the disputed territory.  Our first stop was the American camp on the south end of the island.  The visitor center was open and we met a delightful couple who were there volunteering for a couple of months.  They had also volunteered at Petrified Forest where our friends, Bob and Linda, have volunteered.

Since this may be in our future plans, we love meeting volunteers and hearing about their adventures.  After our visit at the American camp we headed north along the coast to visit the British camp. 

There are still formal gardens there and a few remaining buildings.  It's fun to stand and imagine what it must have been like for the soldiers on both sides.

We then turned southeast and headed back towards Friday Harbor stopping at San Juan Vineyards. 

We of course did a wine tasting and left with a couple of bottles.  We had lunch in Friday Harbor at the Market Chef  and then had time to visit a few shops including Concepia, a photographic gallery.  I had a nice visit and 'talked shop'  with the gallery owner for a few minutes.   We then got our car back in line for the return trip to Anacortes.  Of course there was still time to check out a few boats in the harbor.  Guess which one I like best?  If you guessed the old converted tug, you guessed right. She looks like something you could take to Alaska.

 

We retraced our route, leaving the ferry in Anacortes, driving south to Coupeville, and boarded the 7:30pm ferry back to Port Townsend.  It was a very long day but well worth it.

Until later.