San Juan Islands...Part 1

I am going to have to split the San Juan's blog into two parts since I still don't have the other pics.  So, here is part 1. 

Looking at these pictures makes me want to go back.  We had such a great time at Beachhaven on the San Juan Islands that it just might have been my favorite vacation ever.  It started with barely making it onto the ferry in Anacordes, Washington.  We were literally the last 4 cars allowed on and we made it in the nick of time (true Bushnell style).

 

After we drove down Enchanted Way to find Beachhaven, I was like "are you serious?  We get to stay here?"  The tranquility was almost palpable:).  And I loved that there was nothing fancy schmancy about it.  It was built back in the late 30's and not a whole lot has changed since then.  We were incredibly lucky to get to stay here since the same families reserve it for the same week every summer and most have been coming for like 20 years.  This year though, because of the new Philomath High School being built, school started a week late for us, so there were 3 cabins open because most of the world was back in school.

The cabins were soooo cute and perfectly rustic.  The arm chair was so comfortable that Carlos wanted to take it home with us and declared it "the most comfortable chair ever".

The first day we arrived we went to Moran state park and drove to the top of Mt. Constitution where you could see forever......a beautiful view of a snow capped mountain range in Canada.

The next morning Carlos got up and took the kids out in a row boat to fish.

With Carlos and 5 kids in the boat, they didn't actually fish much, but had a good time on the smooth water.

Tyler put on his dry suit and wanted to take a swim in the cold waters, but since his head wasn't covered he just got a cold headache every time he tried to swim.

Important fish hook safety lesson :)

Later that day we all took our bikes on the ferry and went to Shaw island to bike around.  There are only about 200 people that live on Shaw and we saw maybe 5 cars the whole time.

Jellyfish.  I remember it was the most perfect temperature and conditions imaginable on this beach where we stopped to eat lunch.  I wanted to just stay and lay in the sand but alas, we had to leave to catch the ferry back.

Waiting for the ferry back to Orcas island.  CD loved his new bike and rode the 8 miles like a champ.

We were quite the biking brigade.  There were 15 of us on bikes with one bike seat and 3 bike trailers carrying little ones.

This was the playground at Beachhaven right behind our cabins.  Um....very cool.

Relaxing after a day of adventure

Carlos was our grill man for the BBQ night.  Cabin #8 was the best.

Sunset was my favorite time.  Everything was so quiet and still and warm.  The boys always had their fishing poles out at night.

Mornings were just chilly enough to give me an excuse to build a fire in the woodburning stove.  It put the kids into a trance.  

The menfolk and Alissa left early the next morning to kayak all the way around Shaw island, so the rest of the girls and kids had a day to explore Orcas island more.  We took the kids on a hike to this viewpoint....

...and played for a loooonnnngg time at this shallow water spot right near the cute town.

Check out how clear the water is.  The water was up to her knees here but you can still see every single rock.

The kids even found some starfish.  

Just another shot to show the clear, clear water over the beautiful smooth stones.

 Back at Beachhaven

Success!!!  CD finally caught 2 fish.  Something he and everyone were very excited about.  

 Staring at their catch swimming around the bucket

up early the next morning ready to fish again.

The Beachhaven Nature Trail started kind of right out the back doors of the cabins.  It was such a cool trail - felt like I was in "Lord of the Rings" or something.  The kids (and adults) had so much fun exploring it. 

Rivers and Madison kept trying to "surf" on driftwood.  I don't think these two stopped giggling and goofing off for the entire 6 days.

One night we gathered small pieces of flat driftwood and put tea lights on them, lit the candles and set them out to sea.  It put us all kind of in a trance as we watched them float out.  Very serene and peaceful night.



Rivers taking Madison for a little ride on the paddle board.  These things are fun.  We rented one for the week and it was in constant use.  

Rivers getting her skills down. 

The coldness of the water didn't keep the kids out. 

No cold headaches for CD!



Love this shot of CD jumping into the cold water from the boat.  Look out Bushnell boys, you might have someone join you in your water adventures soon.  Speaking of water adventures, one night after the getting the kids to sleep, Whitney and I decided we were going to go for a night dive in the water because there is this glowing algae in the water that is the craziest, coolest thing!!!  At night if you throw rocks in or run a paddle through the water, it lights up like it's electric.  It is hard to explain, but the water literally lights up whereever it is disturbed.  One night I took the kayak out and paddled around in the glowing water and as we paddled it made fish dart occasionally and you would see a streak of light.  CRAZY COOL!  Anyway, Whit and I decided we wanted to swim in the glowing water and look like mermaids.  The boys and Alissa got back from their kayak trip just as we were about to jump in, so Tanner and Alissa joined us and we each took turns diving into the freezing water to watch the glow it made.  Cold but fun late night adventure, then right to the hot showers.

Me, taking a peaceful paddle through the clear waters.  It was fun to be able to see so clearly everything in the water.

Dads and their baby boys born the same week.

Dreyton showing his, "no, I am not leaving" face.  That's how we all felt when the week was up.