San Juan Islands

The San Juan Islands were at the top of my list of places to visit while living in the Pacific Northwest. It was like a less touristy and more scenic Door County, so I quickly fell in love. We stayed on Orcas Island and getting there was half the fun! The ferry ride from Anacortes was a little over an hour. We decided to leave our car in Anacortes and just take our bikes across to the island. Ambitious considering the hills on Orcas, but we weren't interested in waiting for hours at the ferry landing. Bikes can board immediately, while cars wait in line for hours on a holiday weekend.

Away we go!

1.5 hour ride from Anacortes, WA to Orcas Island.

Our hotel.

The view from our balcony.

Deer Harbor

Saturday was the first day of the Tour de France, so in honor we thought we would climb a mountain on our bikes. I kid you not. We summited Mt. Constitution on our bikes. That's a whopping 2400 ft climb! I think I deserve the polka dot jersey after my effort.

Quick stop to enjoy the view halfway up. Still plenty to climb, but we've heard the top is the best view from the island. So onward and UPward we go.

THIS is the view from the top?? I guess that's what happens when you bike above the clouds. :)

We did it! It was especially fun to get passed on a nasty switchback by the cars with their nice road bikes attached to the rack while I was going 4mph. Wimps.

It was FREEZING at the top. Enjoying the complimentary hot chocolate before heading back down.

Back beneath the clouds, so pit stop for a picture.

Pony.

Ferry

I loved the deck at our hotel. Enjoying a quick breakfast before taking the ferry back to the mainland.

Goodbye Orcas Island.