We had our vacation on Orcas Island this year. On the journey up there we visited Point Defiance Park in Tacoma. The weather was beautiful and we had fun around a pond that had ducks, turtles and huge goldfish. Our grandson had a great time riding his push bike around the pond and through the rose garden. We then enjoyed dinner at a restaurant on Puget Sound.
One of grandma's favorite activities: taking pictures of grandchildren.
Grandson enjoying park.
The next day we caught the ferry in Anacortes WA and after arriving on the Island we found the house we will spend the next few days with our family. The speed limit on the Island is 45 mph and the island has many rolling hills full of tall grass, cattle, sheep, llamas and goats. We also saw many deer and most of the gardens have tall fences around them to keep deer from eating their vegetables.
The house we rented was a five bedroom two bath home that came with two kayaks, a fire pit for our evening fires, a picnic table, tree swing, fully equipped kitchen.
We enjoyed great meals together as a family with an awesome view of the Sound. It was especially enjoyable in the morning with my cup of coffee and devotions. It is so awesome and "epic" to have my family around for a few days to just have fun, enjoy each other, and experience new things.
Great place to have my morning cup of coffee and devotions.
One of the things many of us had never done before was kayaking. There was a beautiful shoreline to kayak along and we could, and some did, kayak until they were exhausted. Some saw seals while kayaking. Others just enjoyed paddling along the shore. This was a new experience for me. It is not something that is hard. I was pleased that sitting was quite comfortable. It is also very peaceful and quiet. When I went out I was alone and floated along the shore taking in the tranquil existence on the water.
Another new experience for many in our family was going sailing. We rented a 27 foot sailboat and took some sailing lessons from a good teacher who gave up teaching middle school and moved to the island and became a sailboat guide, certified captain and instructor for others who want to become certified sailing captains. We took lessons in the morning and had use of the boat all afternoon. It was really "amazing" that in the morning the boat went everywhere we wanted to go (under the instructor) but when we were alone in the afternoon it was really a challenge. It also only took us three tries to dock it, and we did it without any scratches or dents.
Everyone got an opportunity to do all the positions on the boat. Here you see my granddaughter steering the sailboat.
The wind in our hair, the sails are up and we are sailing. What was it in "What about Bob" "I am sailing, I am sailing, I am sailing!"
Orcas Island also has the highest point in in the San Juan Islands, with a tower built by the CCC during the Depression. From here you could see lakes, boats, Cascade and Olympic mountains and many of the Islands.
Other activities included fishing (no fish), hiking to waterfalls, evening fires in the fire pit with marshmallows and smores, the game Scattargories, community markets, historical society museum and some great memory makers for our lives.
Trying to hide from the camera.
Daughter pushing mom on the swing trying to touch the branch.
We saw deer walking through the yard during the week and along the roads.
Mt. Baker hid behind the clouds most of the week, but we finally got a look as she pushed her way about the clouds.
All in all we had a great time. Thank you family for such an awesome and "epic" week.
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