“I’m going to buy an island and take you there. A ship will come once a month with supplies. The rest of the time it will be just the two of us, wearing leaves and eating exotic fruit and making love on the beach . .”  -Lisa Kleypas

I suspect most of know that’s not exactly how island life is in the northwest, well, except maybe for that ship thing….

What this island community does possess, is a deep respect for the fragility of our natural world and our responsibility to insure that it remains a haven from the relentless pace of development.  People who live full time on these islands, cannot imagine themselves living anywhere else.  It’s the beauty, the connection to nature, and the deep commitment to making their island a special place to live for themselves, friends, family, visitors and the animals whom we watch with joy and wonder.

If you are looking for a special place, a quiet place, one that tugs at your emotions as you stop to watch the setting sun across a calm inlet, then maybe living on an island, even if it’s part time, is right for you.

“A dog is one of the remaining reasons why some people can be persuaded to go for a walk.”  -Orlando Aloysius Battista

If you own a dog you are likely wondering about where to take a walk in the San Juan Islands.

There are many parks in the San Juan Islands, which means there are walking trails galore.  We live close to American Camp on the southeast end of San Juan Island.  American Camp is part of the San Juan Island National Historic Park, which includes both American Camp and English Camp, which is located on the northeast side of the island.  There are many hiking trails, open prairie, wooded paths, beach walks, and interesting historic military buildings at both Camps.  Our dog, Mocha, has a preference for the hike up Mt. Finlayson at American Camp since there are many smells and intriguing encounters with other 4 legged friends while we love the panoramic mountain and water views visible along the entire trail.

Add to that are numerous State and County parks, located throughout the county, with the most notable being Moran State Park on Orcas and Lime Kiln State Park (the Orca Whale Park) on San Juan Island.  Here’s a link to some Hiking Maps that will help you find the many hiking trails in the San Juans.  And if you are a boater, don’t miss the many State Marine Parks that provide quiet anchorage and special opportunities to enjoy the natural wonders of the Salish Sea.

So just go for a hike, enjoy the day, and rest assured, your dog (and you) will be happy you did.