Orcas Island Cozy

Is this a glorious skyline or what? The view you are looking at is from the summit of Mount Constitution on Orcas Island which is in the San Juan Island chain between Washington and Canada.

Geography lesson over, now lets get on to the fun stuff!

Marc’s family who live in Zurich, Switzerland decided to do a pre-Christmas visit to us in early November. They would be coming for 2 weeks and would be staying at this great neighborhood hotel called the Mar Queen. The only complication was that there was a big wedding that first weekend which they would have to give up their rooms for and stay somewhere else. What to do?

How about hop on a ferry and head on over to Orcas Island for the weekend!!! What a GREAT excuse for a getaway!

I’d been wanting to get back to Orcas Island ever since we relocated to Seattle in July but with all the settling down the timing never seemed right. Now, this weekend away seemed not only like the perfect opportunity but the perfect solution too! Time to check the ferry schedule!

Marc and I set about doing some hotel research and came up on a bed and breakfast called Turtleback Farm Inn. This place sounded gorgeous and was even mentioned in Patricia Schultz’s book 1000 Places to Visit before you Die. Wow! A few phone calls later and our rooms, rain or shine, were reserved. Unfortunately, weather forecast was not looking optimistic but we’d have to take our chances. If it rained, what on earth would we do?

The morning of departure the sky was cloudy but clear. The sun threatened to come out but only in bits and pieces. We enjoyed the hour and a half drive to Anacortes where you catch the ferry and even arrived early enough to take a detour to show them Deception Pass.

I love riding these ferries and especially being on the deck with the wind and the sea air – so invigorating! The ferry ride to Orcas from Anacortes is about 45 minutes long.

We arrived at the Inn just as the sun was setting but at least that gave us time for a quick look at our beautiful surroundings.

Turtleback Farm Inn sits on 80 acres with the main original farmhouse having 7 bedrooms and then there is the additional Orchard house with an another 4 large bedrooms. The grounds are beautiful with roaming meadows and we immediately caught a deer sighting as we pulled into the parking lot.

It soon got dark but that made the whole inn even cozier! Especially when we discovered the decanter full of sherry and the crackling fire! Maybe we out to take our time before we head out to dinner in the neighboring village of Eastsound!

We had a delicious dinner at the New Leaf Cafe which is part of the Outlook Inn. Marc and I shared oysters as a starter which we knew would be super fresh and delicious as they come right from the local waters. We were right, they were amazing! Marc’s family also seemed to be equally inspired by the nearby ocean ordering lots of salmon, halibut and mussels!

We would have had a longer after -dinner walk but the wind was blowing like crazy and really whipping up the waves and we still had to navigate our way home along the tiny unmarked roads of the island. I have to say my new best friend that night was Marc’s ipad with a very reliable GPS. We would probably still be lost had it not been that this! Boy, was it dark and boy were those roads unmarked!

When we woke up the next morning, this was the view from our bedroom window. It was serene and gorgeous! Best of all, it smelled amazing. One of my favorite smells in fact, a wood burning fireplace early in the morning. Beyond cozy!!!!

The Turtleback Farm is known to have a fabulous breakfast but I have to say we were underwhelmed. Yes, they have crystal and yes they serve it on china but somehow the luxury they promised just didn’t translate. Still, what the place lacked on the inside, it made up for on the outside. Which we were just about to find out!
Could it be? Were we really going to have a sunny day????? But they’d been saying rain for days and just look at that blue sky!!!! Marc’s brother Urs and I are very happy!

Although I’ve never been to Ireland, I felt like I could have been there! Leprechaun sighting anyone?

The long and winding road – this one leads to a beautiful pond!

We did see an old canoe which was tempting…maybe next time!

I guess we didn’t really need to wear the rubber boots they had lined up at the front door but you know what they say, when in Rome….

Booty call: Orcas Island fashionistas!

After we all took a leisurely walk around the grounds it was time to be on our way. Today’s program included a drive up to the top of Mount Constitution in Moran State Park. We had to go back through Eastsound to get to the park. A very charming little town!

Mount Constitution is the highest point in all the San Juan Islands (elevation 2400 ft.) and we couldn’t have picked a more perfect day!

The fire lookout tower built in 1930 gives you an even better view!

Talk about being in the clouds – that’s a long way down!

What an amazing sight – the San Juan islands!

The day continued to be glorious as we headed back into Eastound for lunch and a stroll around the town. Next time we’ll try the new restaurant Allium and also I could have done some major damage at the really cute bookstore! During the summer months there is also a great farmer’s market.

Time to head home! We definitely showed the Baumann family a side to visiting Seattle they never knew existed!

Good to the last drop. Even the ride home was something to cherish.

Next stop on our list, Lummi Island, the little brother to Orcas. Stay tuned!