Monday 2004-03-29 Seattle to Orcas Island
Today we're on the road again. We leave Seattle and have breakfast at Mt Vernon. Then we go to the ferry terminal at Anacortes and catch the ferry to Orcas Island. We only do 92 miles today; it's nice to have a break from driving.
Today we're on the road again. We leave Seattle and have breakfast at Mt Vernon. Then we go to the ferry terminal at Anacortes and catch the ferry to Orcas Island. We only do 92 miles today; it's nice to have a break from driving.
Monday 2004-03-29 Seattle to Orcas Island
We leave Kelly's place at 8'ish but we 're much too early for the 12:00 service, so we stop at Mt Vernon for breakfast. We're on our way to see Caroline who lives on Orcas Island, one of the islands of the San Juan Group.
We leave Kelly's place at 8'ish but we 're much too early for the 12:00 service, so we stop at Mt Vernon for breakfast. We're on our way to see Caroline who lives on Orcas Island, one of the islands of the San Juan Group.
Monday 2004-03-29 Seattle to Orcas Island
We arrive at the Anacortes ferry terminal with 1½ hours to wait. From here we catch a Washington State Ferry to Orcas Island.
We arrive at the Anacortes ferry terminal with 1½ hours to wait. From here we catch a Washington State Ferry to Orcas Island.
Monday 2004-03-29 Seattle to Orcas Island
Our ferry appears. Its the MV Yakima, a Super Class ferry. Each ferry of this class can carry 160 cars and 2500 passengers, with a maximum of 30 commercial vehicles.
Our ferry appears. Its the MV Yakima, a Super Class ferry. Each ferry of this class can carry 160 cars and 2500 passengers, with a maximum of 30 commercial vehicles.
Monday 2004-03-29 Seattle to Orcas Island
The number of vehicles waiting for the ferry continues to grow and I'm sure they can't all possibly fit on.
The number of vehicles waiting for the ferry continues to grow and I'm sure they can't all possibly fit on.
Monday 2004-03-29 Seattle to Orcas Island
The Super Class ferries were built in 1967 to supplement the Evergreen State Class ferry. Ferries of the Super Class class include: Elwha, Hyak, Kaleetan and the Yakima. The ferries are powered by four Diesel-Electric engines, each producing 2000 BHP.
The Super Class ferries were built in 1967 to supplement the Evergreen State Class ferry. Ferries of the Super Class class include: Elwha, Hyak, Kaleetan and the Yakima. The ferries are powered by four Diesel-Electric engines, each producing 2000 BHP.
Monday 2004-03-29 Seattle to Orcas Island
The seating arrangements are very good. This is just as well because for much of the time, it's too cold to travel outside. The ride cost us $31.80 for a car and two passengers.
The seating arrangements are very good. This is just as well because for much of the time, it's too cold to travel outside. The ride cost us $31.80 for a car and two passengers.
Monday 2004-03-29 Seattle to Orcas Island
The San Juan Islands are a part of the San Juan Archipelago which is split into two groups of islands based on national sovereignty. San Juan Islands are part of the U.S. state of Washington, while the Gulf Islands are part of the Canadian province of British Columbia.
The San Juan Islands are a part of the San Juan Archipelago which is split into two groups of islands based on national sovereignty. San Juan Islands are part of the U.S. state of Washington, while the Gulf Islands are part of the Canadian province of British Columbia.
Monday 2004-03-29 Seattle to Orcas Island
There are over 450 islands in the entire archipelago at high tide, but fewer than one-sixth are permanently inhabited. Lopez Island ahead is such an island and is our first stop.
There are over 450 islands in the entire archipelago at high tide, but fewer than one-sixth are permanently inhabited. Lopez Island ahead is such an island and is our first stop.
Monday 2004-03-29 Seattle to Orcas Island
Lopez Island is the third largest of the San Juan Islands, and the first stop of four on the Washington State Ferries' San Juan Islands run.
Lopez Island is the third largest of the San Juan Islands, and the first stop of four on the Washington State Ferries' San Juan Islands run.
Monday 2004-03-29 Seattle to Orcas Island
A normal sailing takes about 40 minutes from Anacortes to Lopez. There is a small airstrip on the island with daily commercial flights, and charter floatplanes sometimes land in Fisherman Bay. The 2000 census population was 2,177.
A normal sailing takes about 40 minutes from Anacortes to Lopez. There is a small airstrip on the island with daily commercial flights, and charter floatplanes sometimes land in Fisherman Bay. The 2000 census population was 2,177.
Monday 2004-03-29 Seattle to Orcas Island
In the background to the south are the mountains of the Olympic Range on the Olympic peninsular. Our next stop is Shaw Island.
In the background to the south are the mountains of the Olympic Range on the Olympic peninsular. Our next stop is Shaw Island.
Monday 2004-03-29 Seattle to Orcas Island
Shaw Island is the smallest of the San Juan Islands served by the ferry system but not all of the system's San Juan runs stop here.
Shaw Island is the smallest of the San Juan Islands served by the ferry system but not all of the system's San Juan runs stop here.
Monday 2004-03-29 Seattle to Orcas Island
The island has a land area of 20 km² and a small year-round population of 235 (2000 census), with only a slight increase during tourist season. The Wilkes Expedition, in 1841, named the island after John Shaw, a naval officer.
The island has a land area of 20 km² and a small year-round population of 235 (2000 census), with only a slight increase during tourist season. The Wilkes Expedition, in 1841, named the island after John Shaw, a naval officer.
Monday 2004-03-29 Seattle to Orcas Island
Shaw is unique among the larger islands in having virtually no commercial or tourist-oriented facilities other than two smallish parks. Most of the island is privately owned by people who like their privacy.
Shaw is unique among the larger islands in having virtually no commercial or tourist-oriented facilities other than two smallish parks. Most of the island is privately owned by people who like their privacy.
Monday 2004-03-29 Seattle to Orcas Island
Our destination of Orcas Island is the next stop. It takes between ¾ hour and 1¼ hours between here and Anacortes depending on the number of stops the ferry makes
Our destination of Orcas Island is the next stop. It takes between ¾ hour and 1¼ hours between here and Anacortes depending on the number of stops the ferry makes
Monday 2004-03-29 Seattle to Orcas Island
We get ready to disembark at the East Sound (two words) ferry terminal.
We get ready to disembark at the East Sound (two words) ferry terminal.
Monday 2004-03-29 Seattle to Orcas Island
Orcas is shaped like a pair of saddlebags, separated by fjord-like East Sound, with Massacre Bay on the south side, and tiny Skull Island just off the coast.
Orcas is shaped like a pair of saddlebags, separated by fjord-like East Sound, with Massacre Bay on the south side, and tiny Skull Island just off the coast.
Monday 2004-03-29 Seattle to Orcas Island
With a land area of 148 km² and a population of 4,453 (2000 census), Orcas Island is slightly larger, but less populous, than neighboring San Juan Island.
With a land area of 148 km² and a population of 4,453 (2000 census), Orcas Island is slightly larger, but less populous, than neighboring San Juan Island.
Monday 2004-03-29 Orcas Island
At the northern end of the island is the village of Eastsound (one word), the largest town on Orcas and the second largest in San Juan County. It's where Caroline lives and this is her house.
At the northern end of the island is the village of Eastsound (one word), the largest town on Orcas and the second largest in San Juan County. It's where Caroline lives and this is her house.
Orcas Island