We just finished up a full week in Orcas Island (a part of the San Juan Islands) with my family. It was a super fun filled week of hiking, biking, swimming in lakes, swimming in the ocean, swimming in the pool, roasting marshmallows, and breathing in the super fresh air. Orcas Island is an incredibly hilly island (made my runs extremely challenging….) but with ridiculous beautiful views and scenery. I can’t wait to return again and hope to make it an annual trip. Enjoy the pictures!
We rented a house in Rosario, one mile away from Moran State Park. This meant great access to hikes, trails, lakes, and views. At the top of Mount Constitution, there were breathtaking views of the other San Juan Islands, the Cascade Mountains, and all the lush greenery. HEAVEN, truly heaven.
Dungeness crab. Better than lobster.
The clams! AMAZING.
My brother’s kids are not #NYCCityKids, and therefore are much more adventuresome, risk taking, and outdoorsy. We learned a lot from them this trip, including how to jump off of bridges and cliffs into lakes, and how to be fast hikers. My kids will give their cousins their first fake IDs, and these cousins will give them outdoors lessons. Fair trade.
The cliff that Cruzzie jumped off of. I was so super duper proud of him for taking the risk and doing it. Don’t worry, it was safe.
As expected, the seafood was incredible. This little quaint fish store was located in a town (Olga) with nothing other than a post office. The fish store carried super fresh and delicious seafood.
Smoked salmon, smoked cod, and smoked black cod. I could eat this whole thing in one sitting.
Nights were spent making fires and eating lots of smores. Smores never get old.
Me and my oldest niece, Alagna, hanging out at Cascade Lake. This girl has NO fear and can swim in freezing cold water, jump off any cliff, and mountain bike like no other. I hope she rubs off on my kids….
Outside our house, we had a big shuffleboard court so one day we had a shuffleboard tournament. My team made it (shockingly) to the finals, but lost (to Ken and Tusia).
Green and blue. Truly Pacific Northwest.
The cousins and the ocean.
Happy girl with smore
We went whale watching one afternoon, and the pods of orcas were beautiful. But even more beautiful were the little girls together.
We also played a lot of tetherball, which was right outside our house. Couldn’t have asked for a better set up.
To get to Orcas Island, we drove 2 hours and then took a ferry. But on the return, I decided to take the two boys (Cruzzie and Axel) on the sea plane. It literally picked us up right at Rosario Resort and dropped us off at Lake Union in Seattle.
The trip door to door took an hour and ten minutes. So worth it and a great experience.
We landed in Seattle, which of course, is beautiful on a sunny summery day!
If you are interested in coming to the Pacific Northwest, I would definitely put Orcas Island (or any of the San Juan Islands) on your bucket list.
Absolutely breathtaking views! Looks like you had a great time with your family.
How fun! Between the s’mores, hiking, swimming and games, it looks like Orcas Island is a great place for kids! Would love to plan a trip there.