From the Mountains to the Sound
DAY
1 -With school out the day before, we packed up our Eurovan and headed
north for a two week early summer trip before the other schools got out. Our
first stop was an overnight camping trip to Leavenworth, WA. We found a nice
campsite at Icicle Creek Campground. Although the sites on the creek were
taken, we found a nice spot near it where we could here the creek. The town
itself is in a beautiful, mountainous setting with a Bavarian theme. The next
day we stopped and had some German food and listened to Bavarian music. It
was a bit touristy, but fun for the kids.
DAY 2- Drove to Winthrop, WA. Another beautiful town in a
great setting. Small, old west themed town of pop. 349. Nice art galleries
and restaurants. Played some miniature golf in the downtown and had dinner
before we went further northwest and camped about 20 miles out of town at
the Klipchuck Campground. The Nothern Cascades are spectacular here. Camping
is cheap- $8.
DAY 3- Spectacular drive to Anacortes through the Cascades.
Amazing mountains we passed through. Stayed at an okay hotel in Anacortes
while waiting for the ferry the next morning. Nothing too amazing about Anacortes
but had a nice dinner in a cute town of La Conner just minutes south of there.
DAY
4 - We took an auto ferry to Orcas Island. Beautiful drive, stopped
at an art gallery and checked out the Rosario Resort. A historic mansion,
now hotel. Go upstairs to see some of the original bedrooms restored and a
bit of the family history. Camped at Moran State Park. Beautiful but cold.
No swimming this time of year!
DAY 5- Checked out Doe Bay on the other side of Orcas after
driving to the top of Moran State Park to the look out tower. 360 degree views
of the islands. But cloudy that day and no view. Doe Bay would be a cute place
to rent a cabin. Great, private beach and the kids can hunt for crabs. Then
took auto ferry to San Juan Island. Camped two nights at the Lakedale Resort.
The camping wasn't rustic enough, a bit KOA like, but no one was there because
it was early enough in the season. Went to
DAY 6- We toured English Camp built in the 1860's and watched
a historical video on the place. Interesting history. Also went to Roche Harbor
Village for lunch. Very quaint little harbor town. Took a walk along a deserted
beach where we skipped rocks and saw a fox and Bald Eagles. And went to Lime
Kiln state park to look for Orcas. Very informative stop.
DAY 7- Took another auto ferry to Sidney Harbor, B.C. and then drove to
Victoria where we stayed at the Best Western. Checked out the Bug Museum near
the Empress Hotel. Went swimming and did laundry.
DAY
8- Visited Buchart Gardens near Victoria and the Butterfly Gardens
a few miles away. An 
amazing
experience. Even my 6 year old enjoyed following the map to the different
gardens and seeing all the beautiful flowers. A must see!
DAY 9- We went to the miniature museum in the Empress Hotel.
Kids loved it. Historical dioramas set up in miniature of various times in
world history. Then took ferry to Olympia, Washington. We camped about an
hour's drive west of Olympia. No problem finding camping sites.
DAY 10 - The next day drove down the southern tip of the
park and stopped at Ruby Beach. A short hike down to the beach but really
worth it. Gorgeous rock formations and a river running into the ocean. Then
headed to Lake Quinalt Lodge www.visitlakequinault.com where we had reservations
for two nights. Once there my husband and I sat out on the adriondack chairs
on the huge lawn overlooking the lake while the kids played horseshoes. Went
indoor swimming in a heated pool, played ping pong and walked the shoreline.
Ate dinner in the hotel restaurant while watching the sunset over the lake.
Played board games available in the lounge while having some wine and watching
the huge wood fire in the rustic old fireplace. Really nice new rooms on the
added wing of the lodge. The lodge itself had Theodore Roosevelt visit when
he had the Olympic Park created.
DAY 11- Rented a canoe, took a walk across the street through
the rain forest. Short little loop. Perfect for little kids. Swam again and
visited the largest Spruce tree a few miles up the road. That night ordered
take out pizza from the market across the street and ate in the lodge lounge
while looking at the lake. Used internet to do some work too.
DAY 12 - after playing a few board games in the morning,
reluctantly left for home. A wonderful way to end the trip.