For the last five years, we have gone on vacation at the beginning of May. In the beginning it was because that time heralded the end of school. Now, it is because it heralds the end of Richard's busy season at work and ushers in what I like to call "Rachael's month-o-fun" (anniversary, mother's day, and birthday). So this year, we decided to explore the San Juan islands for a week (the San Juan Islands are a group of Islands that are just Northwest of Seattle-- 90 minute car drive followed by a 40 minute ferry ride). And thanks to my stellar shopping skills, 80% of our trip was subsidized by Groupon and LivingSocial.
We all needed this vacation so badly. Richard said he felt like he had not lived for four months and was now only able to breathe again. He worked up until the moment we got into our car at which point he immediately began growing a beard (which he still sports today). Anna could tell we were going on vacation to! She demanded her froggy backpack and packed her closest friend (aka "sheep" the lamb)
On the ferry ride to Orcas Island, Anna could not stop looking out at the big water.
Richard and I were just happy get as far away from work and life as possible-- one last trip before our little guy makes his appearance.
Anna wanted to steer the boat
"North Miss Testmocker...due North!"
And the first thing we had to do when we got there was roll up our pants and test the water.
Anna should be a soggy bottom girl
"Seaweed mom!"
We were lucky to find a great deal on a suite. Anna had to jump on everything to initiate our vacation experience.
the double jacuzzi tub was a particular favorite feature for all of us.
sharing a snack of Poptarts and sparkly apple juice to begin our stay
Orcas Island was indeed our favorite part of our trip. It was gorgeous there, with so many beautiful mountain and forest features so close together and close to where we were staying.
Anna was often much more excited about finding sticks than she was about amazing waterfalls like these.
with said stick...
this was the view from our balcony
We loved the super serene evenings. After putting Anna to bed, we would come out on the balcony with some cookies and we would just talk or look at the stars.
these deer were just in our backyard there. We could watch everything from our balcony.
the view from Mount Constitution at Moran State Park (a mere mile away from where we were staying)
there is a 360 degree panorama of the San Juan Islands from this point. No picture can do it justice.
but we sure tried...and tried...and tried.
we went whale watching on our second day. Anna loved the binoculars.
okay, we all loved the binoculars.
but who wouldn't, when you get to see things like this:
It was apparently perfect whale watching conditions. The pod of whales were just off the coast of the island, so we saw them within minutes and got to watch them for almost the entirety of our boat trip.
they just kept surfacing again and again.
My heart still flutters when I see these pictures. I think we all fell in love with Orca whales on this trip.
We had to visit Mount Constitution again before we left.
I loved catching this strange rainbow in the sky on a sunny day. This tower gives you the best views of the island.
Goodbye Orcas Island, we will come again soon and often!!
1 comment:
What a fun trip Rachael! I LOVE Orcas Island! Sounds like a much deserved trip :)
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