For those who don't like swimming in cold water, the best way to get to the San Juan Islands is by Ferry Boat. The Washington State Ferries are an intregal part of our State Highway system and the only public access to the San Juans.
The Ferry dock is in Anacortes WA, about 1.5 hours from Seattle. You can learn more abou the ferry system and check the schedule at http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/
I recently took a day trip out to San Juan Island, the biggest island in this chain and the site of the Pig War in 1859, (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pig_War) one of the last boundary issues to be resolved between British and American forces. After joint occupation of the island for 12 years, a resolution was finally reached in 1872 when it was decided that the islands would belong to the United States. The Union Jack still flies above the "British Camp", being raised and lowered daily by park rangers, making it one of the very few places without diplomatic status where US government employees regularly hoist the flag of another country.
Once on San Juan Island we drove over to Lime Kiln State Park, this is one of the best places to try and see some of my family (Orca Whales) from land. J and K pods pass by here regularly. There is some good hiking and lots of places to picnic. Many people use this as a stop off point when out on Kayak trips as well.
Before heading home we wandered around Friday Harbor a bit. Friday Harbor is the main town on San Juan Island and is where the ferry docks. There are lots of fun stores and places to eat and I made a new friend who looks a lot like me!
Well, thats all for now, gotta swim......Lets be careful out there!
Ollie
