POST 672: 07/08/12: LOPEZ ISLAND, WASHINGTON

My trip to Lopez Island, Washington, began early Saturday morning with this shrouded view of our local volcano, Mt. Baker in the Eastern Sky. At 12,251 feet, she towers over her subjects.




Drove the MPV to the ferry terminal at Anacortes, Washington, parked in the upper parking lot ($10.00 for 24 hours), and walked aboard.


Fisherman Bay, my destination, is on the left inside the peninsula.

The "golf ball" sitting on the extreme bottom right of Lopez Island is the recent purchased property of Paul Allen (Microsoft).


Lopez is the crescent shaped island at 6:00 o'clock in the above image - taken from the Lopez Museum with my camera.



San Juan Islands...deeded to the United States as the result of arbitration by Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany to settle the "Pig War" between the British and the United States.

172 islands, cold (53 F.) clear waters washing their shores. A boat at anchor in any one of the many hundreds of small harbors and inlets would most likely be the ONLY boat present.

During the past 25 years or so, I have had the privilege to stick the nose of my yacht(s) into nearly every harbor of the San Juan Islands.



Our Ferry Boat is passing the northern-most shore of Lopez Island.


The forward observation deck of our Ferry Boat is totally enclosed with glass to afford magnificent view of the San Juan Islands, while inside away from the cold wind created by the forward motion of our boat. With water temperature at 53 F year 'round, the wind is always cold.

Do NOT fall into these waters. Without life protecting immersion clothing, hypothermia sets in in about 5 minutes...death follows shortly after.


Please say HELLO to Joanne, a fellow passenger for Lopez Island. Joanne invited me to her home for dinner this evening. Alas, my prior commitment with the Squalicum Yacht Club means I must take a rain check.


Please say HELLO to Isaac Berg, also a passenger debarking at Lopez Island.

Isaac is on "The World Race", an 11-month Ministry to 11 countries around the world. Isaac may be reached at Isaacberg.theworldrace.org and on facebook.com/isaacsworldrace.


Unloading the Washington State Ferry at Lopez Island.



Vehicles in line, waiting to board our ferry boat for the trip back to Anacortes or, perhaps on to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island.






Apologize I do not know this bicyclist' name. His beautiful Husky is tethered to his bike, pulling bike and rider up the steep hill from the ferry landing.

A moment later, his wife and daughter - about 8 years old or so - arrived, also on bikes.

Biking Lopez is a favorite to tour the island. A number of bike-rental businesses are available.



I poster announced that this park, Odlin Park, had just received a 50-year lease on their property. Another sign informed visitors that the campground was full.




Hailed the local Sheriff, George, who stopped to chat with me for a bit.

It is 5 miles from the ferry landing to Fisherman Bay Marina, which I walked, passing by the following...























...while being followed most of the way by these three (four with the baby). For the life of me, I cannot bring their names into my thick head. I do know the center gal is Kristin with her brother and his wife.

They invited me to join them this evening in the tent campground area at Fisherman Bay Marina, which I did...around the campfire.


Lopez Island Fire Department.


Lopez Village Museum, located a mile North of Fisherman Bay.

The following images were taken from displays in the Museum.


This passenger boat called at many cities throughout the Puget Sound - Salish Sea.

Historic Note: During my recent walk through Montana, walked past the Salish Indian Reservation. Should have mentioned that fact earlier.




Please click click the above - and below - photographs, both taken over 110 years ago.

The clothing is nearly exactly that which I and my brothers wore during the Depression (1930s and 1940s)


Please also note: I could find nary a single smile on anyone in the above two images.

A sign of the times, I guess.

The fourth young man seated from the left looks suspiciously like yours truly at that age.




Pedal Organ.


Desk exactly as I used at DeMoines, Washington Grade School from 1940 - 1945. I started first grade at 5 years old...actually 5 years and 2 months.



Duplicate of our phone - when we finally got one back in 1940 - on the Stump Ranch. We had a 5-party line, featuring ability of any and all to listen in to the other's conversations.



Close up picture of the design and construction of spoke connection on wagon wheels.



Please say HELLO to Harland Eastwood.

Harland was one of the first Curators of Lopez Museum. Harland and I worked together from 1962 through 1976 and were close friends...we had plans to go into business together at one time supplying hard-to-find spare parts for the U.S. Navy Shipyard Cranes throughout the world, for which Harland had engineering drawings, and hand made the wood molds for metal castings.

Harland also built his own motor yacht - by hand; maintained a collection of dozens of antiques clocks which he repaired; built his own home on Lopez Island Fisherman Bay - I helped him set in place the center roof girder cut from one his own trees -; and numerous other accomplishments such as playing on the San Francisco professional football team and, as a Forest Ranger, was a guide for Congressional visitors to Mt. Rainier when it was made a National Park...

...all without the benefit of his right arm, which he lost in a hunting accident.




A painting depicting Captain Vancouver sailing the San Juan Islands, accompanied by Lummi Indians in dugout canoe. The mountain in the distance is our own active volcano, Mt. Baker.



Saturday is Farmers Market day at Lopez Village.


In the center of Lopez Village is the above public restrooms...a welcome site for the many visitors to Lopez Island.



San Juan Island and "American Camp" in the far distance as seen from Lopez Village.


Please say HELLO to Ann.

Offering Wine Tasting, Ann kept the glass full as I sampled wines vinted on Lopez Island.

I actually purchased the bottle Ann is holding, sharing it with SYC Cruise members during our evening potluck down on the marina docks.


Fisherman Bay at low tide. Sailboats with deep keels must be VERY cautions entering Fisherman Bay at low tide as the entrance is shallow and constantly shifting because of the tidal action.







PUFFIN is Steve and Joyce' yacht. Steve and Joyce were Cruise Captains for the cruise to Fisherman Bay, Lopez, Island.




PUFFIN...


PUFFIN...


French design Beneteau yacht.


a 14 foot tide is normal for Fisherman Bay and surrounding waters.




Bicycles for rent.






In all, about 10 SYC yachts attended the Fisherman Bay Cruise this year.





Seaplane transportation is available from downtown Seattle to the various resorts in the San Juan Islands.










SYC members during our Potluck dinner.


Nearing Sun Down on Fisherman Bay.








I brought my sleeping bag, sleeping on the grass next to this picnic table last night.


Campground bonfire... sitting on logs toasting marshmellows and hot dogs on a stick.








Kyacks for rent.























Going Home.









Please say HELLO to Winston and Gwen.

Visiting the San Juan Islands from Placerville, California, we enjoyed a few minute chat before docking at Anacortes.


Our Washington State Ferry sister ship...leaving Anacortes as we are arriving.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my overnight to Lopez...an island I have been visiting Harland since 1962. Harland passed away about 10 years ago.

Back in Bellingham, I have been sitting at my computer editing photographs and this blog for the past 7 hours...it is now 11:15 pm.

Many more walks such as to Lopez Island will be made during the next many weeks. We have only scratched the surface of the places we will visit.