OK. This wasn't a "glamping" trip, but a good old fashion regular car camping trip. Not quite the "dig your own outhouse" kind of camping, but rather a loaded car with every conceivable piece of REI gear. It took me two days to gather all the stuff together, pack and ready the food. The trade off for all this effort is a little gem of a camp ground called San Juan County Park on San Juan Island's west side.
A 1.5 hour drive from Seattle to Anacortes, and an hour ferry ride, dropped us in Friday Harbor with our fully loaded swagger wagon and roof harnessed kayak. We've been coming to this camp site for nearly 15 years, and although once seemingly unknown, it has been discovered. Reservations now need to be made 90 days in advance, and still it is a typing race at midnight to submit an on-line reservation. I'd never go through all this if it wasn't worth it.
Setting up camp took us about 1.5 hours. This is a stark contrast to the 10-15 min. with "glamping". But once we were done, I happily grabbed my beach chair and book and walked 50 yards to a grassy bluff overlooking the Puget Sound & Vancouver Island. It's a muli-million dollar view.
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| Sunset View from San Juan Camp Ground |
Wildlife is spectacular there. We spotted foxes, dear, multiple bald eagles, oyster catchers, seals, river otters and the majestic orca whale. From our camp site, we can literally see orca swimming by about 100-150 yards off shore. However, 2 miles south at Lime Kiln Light House, the orca usually come within 20 yards of shore and can be seen closer than from a boat! (current laws forbid any boats or whale watching cruises to get within 200 yards of the orca)
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| Photo of ocra I took just off Lime Kiln point |
This trip didn't disappoint. We were very lucky to see 6-8 orca, including a new baby, feeding just of Lime Kiln's point within 10-15 yards of the land. We could actually see them swimming under the water. Here's a video clip.
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| Nate sunset paddle |
The following day, I was lucky again and was kayaking when a pod of orca came through. Although I tried to stay the legal distance away and was fairly close to the shore line, one female circled around and came within 12' of my kayak swimming parallel to me. I was able to watch her swim under water and surface again a few feet away. I'm kicking myself for not bringing the camera.
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| Cole at sunset |
Beautiful sunsets, great weather, spectacular views, camping with friends, and amazing wildlife encounters made this a fantastic camping trip. Yes... there was a lot of work involved. But the work paid off in spades.
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| Sam & Madeline |
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| Olivia & Annalise |
