San Juan Islands

He didn't even need to put on his lights. The policeman had caught me speeding, and I knew it. I pulled off of the highway, hating myself for not ever completing the tasks on my list that said, "print out proof of insurance" and "call PA for another copy of my registration". These are two extremely important pieces of information which are floating around my old bedroom in my parents house in Indiana somewhere. That's hardly a valid excuse when you're violating traffic laws in CA and WA. 

He looked to be about in his 50s and gave me the same expression people always do when I try to explain that, "I'm a traveling nurse from PA. I work in California, but am visiting family in WA in between assignments. I'm going on a trip up North for a few days by myself though" 

For some reason, even though that statement totally makes sense to me, I'm often on the receiving end of a, "wait, what?" kind of question, or an incredulous, "what is a traveling nurse?"

I explained to the officer my occupation and answered his thorough questioning about where my assignment would be next. He also asked some questions about Kaiser facilities.  Even though I knew the papers weren't in my car, I searched furiously for them, sweating under the judgmental gaze of the policeman. He walked away, then returned with a "verbal warning". 

THAT WAS CLOSE.

Still shaking and with stomach growling, I stopped for lunch in Anacortes, WA.

This is a really cute area and the port for ferries to the San Juan Islands.

After walking around and purchasing a few items, I parked my car for the evening and waited for the ferry.

During the Summer, ferries run from the US islands to Canadian islands.

The ferry boarded at sunset and provided a beautiful view.

Just a lil' video of the ride..

When the ferry docked on the island, I thought I would wait for awhile to get off, just so I wasn't standing, crammed into a stairwell with a bunch of people filing off of the the boat.  But then suddenly I looked up and realized it was totally empty. I was the only one left. I quickly walked toward an exit sign and followed it downstairs to a stench of exhaust and a line of cars.  There wasn't an exit or even a way for someone to walk out. People sitting in a car saw my lost expression, rolled down the window, and told me I would have to go back upstairs, walk the length of the ferry, and descend the stairs at the opposite end. I did this quite briskly, and opened the door onto traffic exiting the ferry. A man in a bright yellow vest yelled," Whoa!" and stuck his hand out to make me stop before I walked right into a line of cars. He told me that I would have to wait until all of the cars got off of the boat before I could leave.  This would take awhile, but he was friendly and talked to me, well yelled, above the roar of cars and trucks.

It started snowing during our ride over to Friday Harbor, which is the island with the biggest area for staying overnight, shopping, and eating.  The other islands are more for natural exploration, and not very busy during the winter. 

This was the B&B I stayed in.  It's run by an awkward inn keeper from York, PA and his wife, who is also a nurse. Their entire family lives in closed off portions of the old house. Because I was the only guest Monday night, they "upgraded" me to the cottage in the back, instead of the  room I had reserved in the house.

I was fine with that change in plans. 

It was about 745p when I checked in, and I hadn't yet eat dinner.  The inn keeper told me I was out of luck, as most places close at 8 or 830p on the island.  He had this capability of making me second guess my decision to come to the island, almost making me feel guilty.  He just kept saying, "this really ins't the best time to visit. Summer is when you really see the island" Luckily there was a plate of chocolate chip cookies waiting for me in the cottage. Dinner..

I woke up early and walked to the harbor for the sunrise. 

The snow clouds were vibrant and full of precipitation.

The clouds caught up to me and started snowing over Friday Harbor.

The night before the inn keeper had told me breakfast would be available by 830.  I foolishly thought this was a "arrive as you want" type of breakfast, but after walking in to the house at 850, I saw that was not the case. The large table had one place setting, flowers, and hot coffee waiting in a carafe.  The inn keeper came out of the kitchen when he heard me walk in.  After giving me a speech about being late to breakfast, he asked me to have a seat and he would bring me my food.  The bitter taste of his reprimand didn't affect the taste of the food luckily. I enjoyed a homemade muffin, yogurt with orange pieces and real coconut, and a delicious "crust-less quiche". During my breakfast, various members of the household stumbled into the dining room, clearly having just woken up.  One particular child seemed confused at my presence and just stared at me, then entered the kitchen where I heard the entire family talk about me. They all ate their breakfast in the kitchen, while I sat just outside the door at a huge table by myself.  Periodically, the inn keeper, his wife, or one of their tenants would come out to get some coffee.  They would make small talk, then go back into the kitchen. 

There was an old dog that watched me eat, and oddly enough I think he's the only one who didn't make me feel uncomfortable. 

I walked back down to the harbor to explore the area and do some shopping. 

I waited in a small cafe on the harbor for an early afternoon ferry.  The ride is even longer leaving the island because we stopped at another one to pick up more people on the way back to the coast. 

Despite the awkward moments and various businesses being closed for the season, I disagree with the inn keeper. Winter is a fine time to visit the islands. I thoroughly enjoyed my brief stay there.

It's hard to see, but among the clouds is the snowy peak of what I believe is either Mt Baker or Mt Olympus.

Lopez Island^

Next up, Vancouver, B.C.