Getting Floors -- Friday, 9/13/2013 -- Day 126

Our day begins with breakfast in Joe and Pearl's condo on The Hill, Rosario Resort on Orcas Island, and a session of Internet -- are we playing on Facebook, checking stocks, or buying apps?  Maybe they are talking to each other.

With the rental car available to us we take a trip farther up the hill to Mt. Constitution, the highest point in the San Juan Islands, and visit Moran State Park east of East Sound.  We thought of telling our friends we walked, getting many, many Fitbit steps and floors, but knew no one would believe us.  

Moran State Park covers 5,200 acres, and was opened in 1921 after Seattle Mayor Robert Moran donated over 2,700 acres to the State of Washington.  There are camping sites available, as well as trails, picnic tables, and interpretative panels to explain the history.

We are drawn to the lookout tower (how many floors would that get us?) which overlooks a spectacular view of the land, the trees, and the sea.

A zoom in shows someone who did climb to the top as he points to something of interest.

Is Joe 'checking in' to Facebook?

We continue our trip with a drive toward West Sound to Orcas Village and the Ferry Dock, where the largest grocery store is located.  It is here that we learn of the ferry running over a sailboat.  We overhear a van driver talking loud and excitedly to someone who is asked to come transport children who were to board the ferry. He explains to us what happened.  Click the link above for TV coverage.

 With provisions for tonight's dinner we now drive back north to a service station to refuel the rental car for returning it tomorrow.  We enjoy seeing all the native trees, and later learn there is a bookstore at Eastsound Village that would describe them.  (Maybe next year.)

Back to the condo for a wonderful evening, we try not to be sad about the week's coming to a close.

Willie of Willie's Tug,

   and of Walldog, Willie and Jake

   Friday, September 13, 2013

The Hill -- Thursday, 9/12/2013 -- Day 125

After breakfast we take another look at the changing leaves as we bring Joe and Pearl's luggage to Willie's Tug for an overnight at Orcas Island.

Rosario, here we come.  A bit different from other marinas in the San Juans, so it is a must-see for the Segars.  As we leave Cap Sante Boat Haven, we cruise past the Discovery from Juneau, at the end of C-Dock, and wonder about her stories.

Just as we clear the breakwater, we turn for a view behind us and are glad we could be leaving the fog here.

Could be.

However, it appears we will run right into it after we pass Guemes Island.  We hear many vessels calling for visibility checks, but we never to catch up the fog. 

 As we near the intersection of the shipping lanes in Rosario Strait, Herb calls Traffic to learn a tug is going southbound at 8 knots, then slows to 4 knots to allow her to pass ahead of us.  Suddenly, Joe and Pearl both call out that they see a log ahead -- good eyes -- great crew on board!

We leave the log where we find it.

When the tug goes by, Herb increases speed to 8 knots to clear the lanes, then settles into a cruising speed of 7.2.  We finally get into some fog with visibility of less than .2 miles as we approach Obstruction Pass.  We see white caps, swells and rolls, as well as tide rips.

Yea!  Now the fog clears as we enter East Sound of Orcas Island, and we can see The Mansion far in the distance.  We have arrived.

It is only a slight incline to walk from the marina up to The Mansion to register for the Segars' condo, but when they are given their keys and directions, we all are in for a big surprise.  I had assumed their vacation accommodations would be the cute cabins next to The Mansion, which carry the names of different San Juan Islands.  Assumed.  

When Joe made the reservation, they told him the condo building would be up the hill.  Hill?  Where is the hill?  We just came up a hill.

We see the hill, and we are not happy!  The situation gets complicated, but the staff calls a car to take us and the luggage 'up the hill.'  What a nightmare!  Our driver will be available until 9P, so at that witching hour we need to be where we should be for the night!

Thinking heads learn car rentals are available, and the arrival of a PT Cruiser makes the rest of the stay very enjoyable.

The condo with its view helps to reduce our shock and change the mood!  

From the Balcony

The Manion Far Below

More Guests Arrive

Residents Graze

Shortly before 4P we head down to the Mansion for the Organ Concert presented by Christopher Peacock, accomplished musician, author and historian. After his performance, he shows photos from over the lifetime of the Moran family, who settled the Rosario Estate from Seattle.   He concludes with a silent movie of "The Phantom of the Opera."  

A pleasant end to our evening is Happy Hour and dinner prepared by Herb and Pearl at the condo.

We sleep well, looking forward to a day of wonderment tomorrow.

Willie of Willie's Tug,
   and of Walldog, Willie and Jake
   Thursday, September 12, 2013

Showing Off Anacortes -- Wednesday 9/11/2013 -- Day 124

Part of the charm of our summer vacation in the Pacific Northwest is our 'home town' of Anacortes, and we could spend a week showing Joe and Pearl only its interests and attractions, but we hit some highlights today.  

One of the first things you notice here are the colorful murals on the walls of downtown buildings and the cut-outs placed about town.  A favorite of ours is by Cap Sante marina.  We regularly see tourists being photographed with this group, "The Divine Divas of the Deep," painted by lifetime resident Bill Mitchell.

Joe enjoys it, too.

Pearl loves the flowers, which contribute to the attractiveness of residential areas and downtown streets.  This pink lovely hangs by the entrance to their hotel.

We continue our walk north to Pier 1 at the Port of Anacortes, where Dakota Creek Industries is building two new ships.  This one is R/V Neil Armstrong, an oceanographic research vessel, named for the first man to walk on the moon.  She is in the second of the third year of building, and will have berths for 24 scientists and crew of 20.  With a length of 238 ft., she will cruise at 12 knots and a range of 11,500 nautical miles, or 40 days.

The attraction along Q Avenue as we turn south is leaves beginning to change from the forest green to orange, wine and red.  How many photographs did we take?

We decide we have walked enough for now, as the next part of our tour is up, up the hill to Cap Sante Lookout bluff, where we can see our marina (Cap Sante Boat Haven), as well as Anacortes Marina,  a bit of Guemes Channel and a tiny bit of Guemes Island far into the background of the photos -- so we climb into our truck for the drive.

What a view! Guemes Channel and Guemes Island behind it are seen at the right of the photo.

Herb and Joe find some equipment they must inspect 'to determine if it is set up correctly and functioning properly.'  I suppose it is, since they move on.

Looking to the southwest we see Anacortes Marina.












Pearl reads the Interpretive Panel to learn about the fishing and logging history of the town, then finds an interesting tree, the madrona, one of my favorites with its peeling and papery bark.

The next stop is back to The Majestic Hotel for Happy Hour and dinner.

Pearl Relaxes in the Madrona Tree

Willie of Willie's Tug,
   and of Walldog, Willie and Jake
   Wednesday, September 11, 2013