The Writer’s Journal: Orcas Island Flashback

It was a magical week in July 2017 with my boyfriend’s (now husband, Joe) family. We traveled over 2,000 miles to Orcas Island, Washington. We flew out from Dulles International Airport and landed in Seattle, Washington 6.5 hours later.

I had never been further than West Virginia before and I was in love. The weather, the views! Most of all, I loved not being jet lagged and actually enjoyed the difference in the time zone. I would sleep and wake refreshed-but that could have also been the vacation vibes.

The plan was for all of us to stay a night at a hotel in Seattle before embarking on the drive towards the islands. With time to kill, we went to the Novel Tree, which specializes in medical and recreational marijuana. Most of us in the group who went out had never been to a “pot shop” before, so it was more of a teaching moment than anything. The staff were extremely organized, knowledgeable and helpful in explaining their different products.

As the evening quickly approached, we went to dinner in Bellveaue at this gorgeous restaurant called Lot No. 3. They had a candied bacon appetizer dubbed the Plate O’ Bacon, which were a huge hit for the table. We were still waiting on one of Joe’s siblings to arrive with her husband and children, so it was only the seven of us at dinner that night. We enjoyed craft drinks & delicious entrees until we couldn’t possibly eat anymore.

The next day we embarked on the drive towards the islands. A few hours later, thankfully for my motion sickness, we made it to the docking point of the main ferries. From there we loaded on and set course to Orcas Island where we would be staying. It was about a thirty minute ride, but every second was breath taking. The islands and nature sites all around us were beautiful. You could see seals sunning themselves on beach shores, large estates boasting grandiose docks on private islands. Standing on the deck, you could smell the fresh water and feel the cool, refreshing breeze.

The house on Orcas Island was stunning. It sat right on the water, looking out towards Canada. I hadn’t realized we would be that close to the boarder until we sat on the porch and looked over at the other side. (So much for going prepared). The house was large enough to fit us all (12 people in all, 3 children under the age of 10) comfortably without feeling overbearing.

As a kid, whenever I thought of an island, I always pictured a cartoon where you could step one foot on one side and another on the other. Reality is much different. It took awhile to drive from one side to another, but I lost track of time often as I got swept up in the beauty surrounding us. From talking to locals, it wasn’t a cheap investment to live there, bouncing around island to island or especially to the mainland and back regularly, unless you had your own boat.

The local town on Orcas was within walking distance of the house and it was so quaint and welcoming. They had this large coffee shop bakery (Brown Bear Bakery) that always sold out fast, with lines out the door. Local artists setup shops all throughout the downtown area. Everything from paintings, jewelry, to clothing and custom made furniture. Our favorite restaurant happened to be inside what might as well have been a shed, called The Barnacle. They had the freshest cheese board I have ever had with a fig jam spread that was mouth watering-I wanted to bottle it all up and take it home with me.

We were having a blast exploring every bit of the islands that we could. We bounced between the Pudgent Sound on ferries, hiked through miles of forest and explored different island towns as much as we could.

At Friday Harbor we shared huge, deliciously sweet cones of ice cream and almost missed our ferry home. We went sight seeing by Lime Kiln Point Sate Park, including hiking out to the Light House. We read about the Lime Kiln significance in the island history and visited museums where we discovered details about the orca pods who travel in the area.

It was a beautiful place, peaceful and relaxing. The West Coast lifestyles, and especially the island life, were dazzling.

I remember the breeze gliding over my skin as I walked hand and hand with Joe towards town. We were going to pick out post cards. -PAUSE-

-REWIND- The entire family had hiked to the top of Mount Constitution, sans me and Joe’s mother, she drove us both to the top. The entire group of us had gone on a hike the day before, which was only supposed to go two miles, which turned into five. To say the least, I was every bit of over the idea of hiking the mountain. Mount Constitution reaches the highest point of the San Juan Islands, sitting 2,409 feet high, with breathtaking views of the surrounding Cascade mountains, and views of both Canadian and U.S. cities.

As Joe’s mom and I waited for the group to arrive, I studied the Mountain’s old observation tower that was built in 1936. It was being repaired at the time. It’s beautiful sandstone walls were being carefully cleaned and fixed in areas that had taken obvious wear and tear over the years.

Once everyone made it to the top, it became a quick photo op for all. As we prepared to pose for an epic couple’s photo of the Cascade Mountains behind us - Joe got on one knee, and I heard the excited shouts of his mother over him — he hadn’t told anyone, including his brother in law who was caught with a full memory disk in his camera, missing every photo opportunity available of Joe on one knee! I began frantically talking over Joe, telling him, “how could you not have told your mother?” Until he just looked at me, on one knee, ring box in his hands. I grabbed his hands, the box, said yes, then helped him up.

Later that night we all celebrated with dancing, and champagne.

-CONTINUE- The next day, Joe and I walked hand in hand to go buy post cards so I could mail them to my best friends, spilling the news of the engagement. We continued to explore the town, and discuss our wedding ideas for the rest of the trip.

It was truly an unforgettable vacation…and oh, how we both wish we could go back to Washington! The West Coast stole our hearts.

Until next time,

M.E.

Mount Constitution, Washington