Orcas Island

I went to summer camp at Four Winds for seven years here, and I just went back last year as a staff member … the island is a truly magical place.

on a day that couldn’t decide to be rainy or sunny, during a brief bit of bright sunlight, my fiance and I decided to drive up to Orcas Pottery. We followed the signs and pulled onto the turnoff.

The dense trees cast us in shadows almost immediately. I admired the thick tufts of fern, the fallen logs and damp rocks with bright green moss growing on them. As we got further and further up the road, the area was getting darker and darker. It was like being in a dark, scary, enchanted forest. At any moment, we thought we would be on the set of a real life horror movie.

We decided NOT to get out of the car, and as we headed past what looked like quick-sand in the parking lot, or at least a very giant muddy puddle, I started teasing my fiance by saying “I’ll grind your bones to make my pottery” and laughing like a storybook evil witch.

It was awesome! ;)

Stayed on Orcas Island during a road trip in August 2006. Car camping in Moran State Park is the way to go. Tons of campsites are right next to stunning, perfect lakes.

Went here when I went to Camp Orkila…it was fun:)

Like any place in the San Juans, Orcas benefits from having time to explore and making sure you prepare for the exploring beforehand. It’s big, but forget the car—hike or bike. Take advantage of the Orcas Island Transit services to get around bigger distances, but keep in mind they don’t run at night. Only spent part of a day here but it was worth more time than I could provide—will make up for that next time!

My first “nude in public” experience with my (then) future wife.

Doe Bay is a cool little resort with Yurts and camping and a Clothing Optional (everyone opts not to) beach and hot tub area.

there are lots of other thing sto do on Orcas as well. The ferry ride to get there is worth the trip by itself.

stayed at the Inn…..plus, Matty lives here!

I live here!

matty

Spent an entire day (9 hours) waiting for whales at the spot on earth that has the highest chance of seeing Orcas, Killer Whales. Nothing.

Then, at the west side campground, I met a woman who threw me in the kayak with her, and we paddled out under the full moon light and the northern lights were cranking even in the moonlight, and there was the bioluminescent water, and J pod breaching and screaching in the moonlight. Breathtaking.

My friend was a stranger just moments before all this happpened.

Then the next day we watched Orcas playing with Harbor Seals, and by ‘playing with’ I mean, terrorizing. The would throw them up in the air, they would push them on their noses and then let them go, only to catch them and tenderize them. Weird. Amazing.

The whales screamed and played and came within 10 feet of my kayak. They are huge.

Thank you Krista! You are alive!

see pix at www.mikeacrossamerica.com

Unfortunately, I visited Orcas when it was raining. It was not that fun. Pretty, though.