On on up to Orcas!!!

This was the big one. The beeg summer trip.



We hit the open road and headed North. All the way to Anacortes, which any Northwesterner knows is the jumping off spot for the San Juan Islands.



The girls are getting so big now, no car seats are needed anymore. We set sail up Interstate 5 and pretty much drove the entire 5 and a half hours to Anacortes.. stopping only for gas and potty breaks.



Michele had the hard job, holding Chippy most of the way.

I had it much easier, just concentrating on the road and trying to look cool.



Once we got settled in our motel.. (before the early morning ferry ride) we stopped in a micro brewery in town that was packed. But it had a great IPA on tap.





Then it was back to the motel to meet up with Tom and Judiann and eat some candy and drink a little vino.



The next morning we boarded the ferry to Orcas Island and wow.. we got to sit right up front!



If you've never been to the San Juans, really, honestly, the ferry rides to and from are probably the best part. They are relatively inexpensive and are not just a ride to an island, but an experience. On our way there it was overcast and cool, but also the air was fresh and it was nice on deck.











When we got to our campsite (#60) at Moran State Park, wouldn't you know, it was drizzling. No one was stirring and it was frankly a bit depressing. Pretty, but who wants to camp in mud and set up a tent in rain. So after Michele and I sent the kids to explore little East Sound (the main town on Orcas) with their grandparents, we decided to forge ahead. I set up our VW circus tent as some call it and halfway through setting it up, the rain stopped, it got warmer and by sunset we saw the sun. Beautiful. The rest of the week on Orcas brought us warm, sunny weather as we ate, swam and had a blast in the park.





This is the view of Cascade Lake from our campsite.



I even broke out the bus plates and silverware.





Of course no campout is complete without the roasting of the Marshmallows.





Much of our time was spent swimming just down the road at Cascade Lake.. it wasn't exactly freezing but not really warm either.







We had lots of great food. Mostly simple food. Spaghetti the first night, some Tri tip the second.. Sandwiches one night and the best might have been the canned Chili with freshly baked cornbread.

But the best meal of the trip to me was the breakfast I made of pancakes, bacon and eggs and good coffee.



The Party Pickle made for a nice home and this was one of the longer trips we've taken.



All in all it was a great trip with no mechanical problems and darn good gas mileage, though I was running a tad warm on the CHT temps.. up near 380 and into the 400s occasionally.




The return trip on the ferry was nice and sunny and warm. Wow.



Chippy was safe and secure in her Sherpa Bag and even she had a good time I think.



What a nice time we had, just relaxing and getting to know each other again. AND.. Lani beat me for the first time in chess. But I beat Michele twice! Sorry hun!



And of course we couldn't leave you without the shot of Wilson... ((Thanks Mike))




Until next time!