We had a really great hike to Cascade Lake on Orcas Island on Saturday. We went all the way around the lake, about 7 miles. It was beautiful! There were several people swimming and we wished we’d brought our suits. I don’t think I’ve mentioned this, but the sea water here is about 55 degrees, so we haven’t been tempted to swim. However, apparently, the lake was warmer.
Our friends came in to the marina at Rosario on Saturday and it was fun to see them (Ron is a former partner of mine from KPFF, from the Seattle office). Ron and Trung have a 42′ Catalina sailboat and they brought along their three children as well as another family of four. The kids had fun swimming in the resort pools and running around. On Sunday they fed us two meals! What a treat. It was great to be among friends and hang out. We hope to get together with them again soon.
On Monday we headed out of Cascade Bay to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. After leaving the east sound of Orcas Island, there is an intersection where several channels cross – boy, is that busy! All kinds of boats, passenger ferries, etc. We heard some testy exchanges on the VHF radio, but we stayed out of trouble.
We were able to sail a little on the way to Friday Harbor, but mostly the wind was on the nose. When we arrived, there was a lot of action happening here. Friday Harbor is the government and commercial center of the San Juan Islands as well as a customs port of entry, so there is a lot going on here. We decided to anchor in a cove away from the marina, and I’m glad we did. It’s very peaceful here. We had a good, calm night last night. This morning we took the dinghy to the marina dinghy dock and had a productive day in town. We took care of some business, took a long walk during which we picked blackberries, got groceries and ice for the ice box. We almost made it back to the boat before the heavy rain started! We didn’t get too wet. It was our first real Washington rain – thunder and lightening and everything. We were comfy and warm inside the boat and the storm didn’t last long.
Tomorrow we are planning to head to Stuart Island State Park. Here is a little video that we took last week, if you are interested.
Pausing during our hike for a snap
Rainbow at Friday Harbor
Toga in the rain
Friday Harbor
Sunset in Cascade Bay
Closest I’ve come to bald eagles are these models on someone’s porch
Cascade lagoon
Cascade Lake trail
Cascade Lake, Orcas Island
Beautiful Cascade Lake
Area map of where we’ve been lately – zoom in to the red circle
triciajohnsblog 
By chance was the cove you went to from Friday Harbor around on the east side of the island with a large tank setting near the north shore of the cove? If so, I almost bought property 3 or 4 parcels south of the north end. It had a dock with two documented slips and a pond with the area for building a home toward the road from the pond. It had a beautiful view of Mt. Baker across the sound to the east. More memories! Enjoy every moment. Barbara
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