Washinton San Juan Island Tour

With Knotts now in the rearview mirror, I would like to suggest a tour of Washington's spectacular San Juan Islands for the first weekend of August.The San Juans are about 100 miles northwest of Seattle and are reached be ferry from Anacortes.The roads are narrow,winding and hilly with great great water views.Getting on and off the Islands can be a bit of a hassle,however travel between the three main islands Orcas,San juan and Lopez is pretty easy.There are many great places to stay, but they will start to book up shortly.For more info, do a search on the San Juan Islands.There are several great sites to get you oriented.If there is enough interest we should make some more definate plans.Brooks

Brooks,

Now you're talking! The time and place are DNP,
wife and I were up there over Labor day some years ago. Left Anacortes on the morning ferry and hit all the stops on the San Juans.
Continued on to Syndney but wished we had disembarked on the Islands.
Probably the most memorable trip we ever had!
Make me a tentitive yes!

Bruce

My wife and I spent a week on Orcas a couple of years ago and the only way it could have been better is with a speedster. Great place and wonderful people
Troy

Brooks, I appreciate your concept and location. Finally, something reasonably close to home! The weekend of the 6-7 is out due to business. The weekend before is fine. That weekend also offers a holiday Monday (for us Canuks) which is a bonus, other than Canada to US travel volume at the border crossings. If the date is not fixed, we may be in.
Rick

Sounds like great fun! I'll try to make that work.
Ron

I think the last weekend in July would be great.I didn't know that it was a long weekend for Canada.With that in mind, let's go for July 29-31.Brooks

I expect we would be ready to do the 2nd or 3rd annual San Juan event, as I anticipate we will have completed relocation to Gig Harbor by then. Gig is just a few short miles to the San Juans.

Brooks, the first Monday is August is a holiday for B.C. plus some other provinces but not a national holiday. If you can make that weekend work we're on. I'll mark it out right now. If I can be of any assistance let me know off line.
Rick

Hi Brooks,

I can't make this tour due to a prior committment in California. Please do keep me in mind for any other events you might plan this summer, if you don't mind a 550 Spyder from Bellevue joining your Speedster group. By the way, you guys made a great showing at Knott's and it was great meeting some of you. Some GREAT cars!

I grew up on Orcas, and my parents are still there. We just purchased property near Olga and will be moving back there in the next few years. The roads on Orcas are a blast to drive, and the drive up Mt Constituiton is something not to miss, though parking at the top might be hard.

We have been going up to Orcas lots recently when we were looking at properties, and the key is to go up on Friday morning, and come back on Monday. Friday afternoon and Saturday morning are hell, and trying to come back on Sunday means either getting up REALLY early, or waiting in line all day. Once you get on an island, going between them is not that bad and usually not overloaded.

The last weekend in July might be a little tough, as it is my daughters 3rd birthday which we will probably have in Seattle, but other than that I'm probably in.

So, about what dates for this Island hop?

Hey Dale,

The dates will most likely be July 29th-Aug 1st.Henry and the Canadian guys have a long weekend so it works well for them.It would be great if you and Bill could make it.

I agree with Chris, It would be ideal to leave early Friday and return on Sun. or Mon.I would plan on two nights at Friday Harbor on San Juan Island.Resevations could get a little tight so I would suggest if you are interested check out one several good web sites on the San Juan Islands.Hope to see you there!Brooks

Shocking. I mentioned it in shallow converstation yesterday and Michele said that sounds like fun! I told her she could fly up to Seattle and I'd pick her up. She wants to ride up, but we have to put the top up some of the time. I think I'll make her take the plane! Brooks, if we can get a couple of days off, we will be there. Still shocked in Dixon.

Cool!Try to drag Bill along too.

Brooks, sounding mighty good. In fact it rather sounds like an extended scenic drive from my region, hoping to avoid the I-5 hassle as much as possible. Looking at the map, it looks like the 101 part of the way and then catching the ferry from Pt Townsend. Hopefully doing this before the weekend and doing the same on the way home. Dale, how does that look to you? Be fun if you and Bill and maybe others make the journey. I will guarantee the San Juans is a primo touring and scenic area. Not surpased by anything I've seen, well maybe Alaska!

Have you contacted any hotels, motels on the Islands, know they get busy in the summer!

Bruce

Bruce,the ferry from Port Townsend goes to Whidbey Island.It is a neat drive from there to Anacortes across the Deception Pass Bridge.I would recomend the drive to Anacotes via Whidbey coming from Seattle also.Good Plan Bruce.Brooks

If you think you might be interested in making this trip please let me know ASAP so I can see what our lodging options are.The plan would be to an take an early ferry to Orcas on July 29 th.Spend the the day driving around Orcas.Catch a late afternoon ferry to San Juan Island Spend the night in Friday Harbor and spend Sat. driving around SanJuan.Sat.night would also be in Friday Harbor.Sunday we could catch an early ferry to Lopez Island.There is a mid afternoon ferry from Lopez wich you can almost always catch back to the mainland.For those interested in staying over on Lopez I would be happy to host a BBQ at my humble water view log cabin!Lodging will be somewhat limited if we wait too long.Most places require a two night min. stay, hence the two nights in Friday Harbor.Brooks

Brooks,

Pencil me in, things may pop up but this sounds like a can't miss deal. I'm in!

Bruce

I cant wait for the 2nd or 3rd annual event.

UC Dale (soon 2 B GH Dale)
GH = Gig Harbor, Wa

Hi Brooks: The San Juan tour sounds great and close to home too[Victoria].Like Rick says let us know if you need anything. Cheers Dave& Linda-Victoria.

All I need at the moment is a tentative head count.

Gail and I are in, Brooks. Hi Dave!

Hi guys,I just checked out a few places in Friday Harbor and rooms are already booking up.The Friday Harbor Inn still has rooms available 800 793 4756.The Friday Harbor Chamber of Commerce web site has a good list of options.I would try to make reservations this week, even if you are just thinking of going,you can always cancel.

Pencil me in.
Ron

Brooks,

The Friday Harbor Inn for two nights, I assume that is Friday and Saturday night, correct? I assume everyone will be staying there or is there other acommedations near by if the Inn is full! That has a certain familar ring to it! Let me know if I have the nights correct so I can call!

Bruce

The nights are Friday July 29th and Saturday the 30th.

Reservations made, Brooks. How'd the car pickup go? Let's get those pictures up.

Scott,

Henry delivered my car last night,thankfully before it started to rain.I drove about 35 miles last night without plates.I was getting so much attention I decided to park it before I got a huge ticket!!!Should get car registered today and then the real fun will begin.Look forward to seeing you at the end of July.Brooks

Brooks:
THanks for arranging this tour. I have booked my room. My wife will co-pilot which will be nice for a change.
Bruce, when will you be passing thru Eugene. Let's hook up.

Hi Brooks: We've got our room booked for the San Juan experience,looking forward to meeting you and seeing the other fellas again.Thanks for all the work you are putting into this. Hi Scott see you there. Cheers -Dave

I'll be there. Probably only be able to drive around Orcas though.

Dave,
It apears that we are all on our own regarding housing for the Campout. I am in the Best Western. Red Lion is full.

Brooks, our room is booked for Fri & Sat. Plan to return Monday so will be available for Orcas on Sunday.
Rick

Correction, make that Lopez on Sunday.
R.

Great Rick,Looking forward to seeing you.I hope the crabing is as good as usual, so we can have a crab feed and BBQ.I normally can catch more than we can eat, so I will spend the day on Sunday cooking the crab and chillin the the beer,my favorite Summer pastime,aside from driving my new Speedy of course!!

Bruce,Sorry you can't make it.

I Just got the Summer ferry schedule for the San Juan's.I would suggest the 10 a.m. ferry from Anacortes to Orcas on Friday July 29th.We should be in line by 8 a.m. to be on the safe side.Later in the day we would take the ferry from Orcas to Friday Harbor on San Juan.There is a 4:35p.m. ferry which should give us enough time for a cruise around Orcas and dinner on San Juan.Roche Harbor would be a fantastic spot for dinner, drinks and a unbelievable sunset.

Brooks

Geez Brooks, I hate to wish away the next 7 1/2 weeks but we can hardly wait! If this event doesn't bring out N.W.area Speedster / Spyder / Roadster owners they are either out of touch or out of luck!

Hi Brooks,

Will you be taking your car to the Kirkland Car Show on July 24th. I would love to see it in person. The show is right downtown.

www.kirklanddowntown.org/festivals.htm

I live just up in Bridle Trails and will be in the show.

Chris

I will be out of town from June 23rd.to July 13 th.Here are few updates before I leave.For those interested in the BBQ/crab feed at my place on Lopez Sunday July 31st here are a few options for lodging on Lopez Sunday night.The MacKaye Harbor is a B&B on the Beach across the street from our cabin.They may have a few openings.They are good friends.Be sure to mention my name and they will probably charge you twice as much!!! Phone # 360 468 2253.Also try the Islander Resort in Lopez Village 360 468 2233.

One other opportunity I should mention is Orca Whale watching Cruises out of Friday Harbor.IF you have never seen Orca's up close and personal this is your chance.There should be plenty of time on Saturday.You will need to do a search to see what company's are operating and the schedules.

I could use a head count on who is going to be at the BBQ at my place.

Brooks