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July 12, 2002
Enjoy a slow-paced vacation
History and beauty are among the highlights of the San Juan Islands.
KYLE BERGER REPORTER
Folks from eastern Canada often claim that those who live on the
West Coast have a more laid-back, easy-going lifestyle.
Meanwhile, people from the West Coast look at the folks living on
Vancouver Island and say they live an even more relaxed lifestyle.
In that case, since the people from Vancouver Island often look
to the smaller islands around them to take their vacation, you can
probably count on that being the most peaceful, stress-free way
of life that exists in Canada.
If that's what you're looking for this summer, hop on a ferry or
a float plane and spend a few days on one of the smaller islands
around the Pacific Northwest.
While many British Columbians are familiar with the more popular
Gulf Islands like Salt Spring or Gabriola, where Camp Miriam is
located, just a quick ferry ride from either Victoria or Anacortes,
Wash., takes you to any one of the magical San Juan Islands, just
south of the 49th parallel.
The San Juan Islands are made up of four distinct land masses, each
with a unique flavor and one common theme: natural beauty.
The smallest of the islands, Shaw, boasts only a tiny grocery store
and a small county park to serve the 233 people who live there.
Covering an area of only 7.7 square miles, Shaw Island's ferry landing
has been operated by a local order of nuns every day for 20 years.
The next largest of the main islands, Lopez, maintains a friendly
flavor as residents often wave at each passing car. Lopez Village
is the commercial centre of the island located at the north end
of Fisherman's Bay. The island also has several public parks, a
handful of restaurants and three overnight camping facilities.
Orcas Island is one of the more popular of the group because of
its wide variety of island art, small restaurants and espresso stands
featuring locally brewed coffee.
The largest and hilliest of all the San Juan Islands, Orcas features
Mount Constitution, from which the view can extend as far away as
Mount Rainier, Wash.
San Juan Island, the county's main attraction, is the most northerly
island of the bunch. Arrival by ferry leaves you at Friday Harbor,
a bustling tourist village filled with restaurants, bike, scooter
and kayak rentals, as well as a long line of whale watching tours.
There are many quality bed and breakfasts to choose from for an
authentic San Juan Island overnight experience, including the States
Inn, so named for its 10 rooms, each themed after a different American
state.
Bed and breakfast-style amenities include complimentary beverages
available throughout the day, three separate social areas, menus
from most of the island's restaurants, a huge cabinet filled with
board games and a large dining room for breakfast. The States Inn
is located on a farm that features horseback riding, sheep, chickens
and alpacas. Information about the inn can be found online at www.statesinn.com.
History buffs can also take a tour of the American and British camps
at San Juan Island National Historic Park and learn about the famous
Pig War. In the mid-1800s, there was a controversy over where the
exact border between the United States and British-controlled Canada
was set and both nations claimed control of San Juan Island.
Tensions erupted when an American farmer shot a British-owned pig.
This eventually led to the U.S. army and the Royal Canadian Navy
on the verge of exchanging fire until both sides agreed to a joint
military occupation of the island. Eventually, a German arbitrator
awarded San Juan Island to the United States. The event became known
as the military confrontation in which the only casualty was a pig.
For more information about the San Juan Islands, go online to www.guidetosanjuans.com
or call the San Juan Islands visitor information service at 360-468-3663
or 888-468-3701.
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