Double Birthday Week

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Sunset at Hope Island


If you read our last post, you know that our plans to splash Amy Marie in the Pacific Northwest were delayed for 10 days due to a wheel bearing on the trailer that decided it had worked too hard for too long,  and quit.  Thank goodness we got it fixed and were able to launch Amy Marie in Kingston Washington.  Great little town.  Many people know it as a stop on the Washington State Ferry System.  It is a shortcut to the Kitsap Peninsula for people living on the Seattle side of Puget Sound.  We love it for it's variety of restaurants, the town green near both the marina and the ferry terminal.  Events and markets are hostedall summer long on the green.  We also have extended family who live there.


Miss Bones welcomes you for a slice of Kingston Pizza



It was important to be in the water and moving so we could join a week long celebration of two family birthdays.  Consequently,  we were unable to linger in Kingston.  My daughter and my grandson have back to back birthdays.  Celebrations were to begin with us picking up the Birthday Kids in Anacortes and transporting them to Snug Harbor Resort on San Juan Island.  We were scheduled to spend 3 days exploring and experiencing the San Juan Islands and then return to Anacortes for a car ride to Mazama, in the northern Cascade mountains for 4 days of mountain fun.  It was very much a sea to sky birthday celebration.


Sea Scout Ship - SS Propeller


Less than half an hour after departing Kingston, we encountered the Sea Scout vessel, SS Propeller, returning to its home port from a two week cruise to Princess Louisa Inlet.   This was significant as our birthday grandson is bosun of this ship.  We contacted them via VHF radio, exchanged greetings, and then continued north to La Conner, while the Propeller and crew returned to their slip on Lake Union.


Eating Thanksgiving Pie


La Conner is a small maritime town on the Swinomish Channel.  My Daughter knows I like new culinary experiences so for my birthday.  She gifted me a certificate to the Pie Dive Bar!  Yes, this is a real place.  It is a small, highly rated comfort food cafe/bar known for meat and fruit pies and a relaxed vibe.  What did we get?  We had their Thanksgiving Pie, which is dressing, potatoes, turkey, cranberries, onions, and celery.  It is all combined in a full size pie shell and then baked.  Yummmm!  For dessert, we shared a piece of Humble Crumble Pie.  This contains granny smith apples, marionberries, strawberries, raspberries and streusel.  So good!  we will definitely return.


Eating Humble Crumble Pie with Vanilla Ice Cream


The next morning we were off to Anacortes to meet family for the birthday celebration.  Four family members joined us onboard Amy Marie for the crossing to San Juan Island and two took the car full of gear on the ferry.

Snug Harbor is a very cute resort on the western shore of San Juan Island.  It is just south of Roche Harbor.  It is a perfect location for accessing the many activities the island has to offer.  It is quiet and laid back compared to either Roche or Friday Harbor.


Snug Harbor Resort at Sunset


We find the Pacific Northwest much to our liking.  Its maritime vibe and charm is very strong.  We enjoy the rhythm of the sea, it's peacefulness, and tranquility.  Of course this can be interrupted by various meteorological events, but as long as we are in port - they serve merely to remind us that Mother Nature is in charge no matter what us mortals think.




Time to explore the cove



Another grandkid gets her first skipper lesson.  Way to go!


Our family enjoys playing games, hiking, adventures, time together, and good food.  These were the elements of our stay.  The first highlight was a whale watching trip on the Salish Sea that took us into Canada to see killer whales, eagles, and seals.  The second was giving the grandkids a chance to build their boating skills by allowing them to skipper the dinghy while visiting a 19th century British fort on San Juan Island.


Lunch in Roche Harbor



Saw Killer Whales



Saw seals


After three days we moved venue to the Northern Cascade Mountains to a small town called Mazama.  It is an outdoor recreation mecca.  In the summer it offers river rafting, hiking and biking.  In the winter it offers cross country skiing and snow sports.  


Game night


The general store is the center of action and there is a restaurant called the Public House which serves very tender tri-tip.  The General Store had the best sausage and egg  on a bagel breakfast sandwich I've ever had.  Additionally, there was a fine selection of breakfast pastries from which to select.  Yes, great place to visit!  Again we enjoyed hikes to mountain lakes, games, time together, good food while celebrating the back to back birthdays.


We hiked to Lake Ann


Too soon, it was time to return to civilization.  We reluctantly packed up the car and headed home.  We enjoyed a wonderful week together, visited new spots, and wore ourselves out.  Just the type of experience we desired.  The only downside was how fast time seemed to fly.  We are already planning our next family adventure!



See you next time!


Location: Snug Harbor, WA 98363, USA

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