July 9 - San Juan Islands

We decided to explore the San Juan Islands since we were this far north. Who knows if we will ever get back here. 

Up early to drive to the ferry to catch the 9:05. We were on the water for about 1 hour 15 minutes. Arrived at Friday Harbor. 

Decided that we would take the Hop On, Hop Off Trolley around the island to explore. 

First stop was the English Camp National Park. The history is interesting. 

When Great Britain and the United States in 1859 agreed to jointly occupy San Juan Island until their water boundary was settled, they decided their camps should be on opposite ends of the island.  The island is only 15 miles long so they weren’t too far apart. 

The crisis came on June 15, 1859, when Lyman Cutlar, an American, shot and killed a company pig rooting in his garden.  A joint military occupation was agreed upon. San Juan Island remained under joint military occupation for the next 12 years.  On November 25, 1872, the Royal Marines withdrew from English Camp. By July 1874, the last of the U.S. troops had left American Camp. Peace had finally come to the 49th parallel, and San Juan Island would be long remembered for the "war" in which the only casualty was a pig.

The lighthouse stop - 






The Lavender Farm Stop - 

Then back to Friday Harbor for Smoked Salmon chowder. Very yummy. 

Banjo is tuckered out. 

Lenny stayed awake just to make sure we were going the right way. 

And last picture before we land of Mount Ranier where we will go next. 

Back to the campground around 6 pm. Long day but you can see we had beautiful blue skies and smooth sailing.