Island Hopping: Complete. Happy 4th!

I always enjoy a night in the woods. At 8 am, I was on the road headed back to Friday Harbor, and easily found parking. This completes the entire loop, scenic  drive, around San Juan Island that I started yesterday.

For some reason I thought that the 4th of July parade started at 9 am, but it didn't start till 10:30. Just enough time for a relaxing morning as I found space on a park bench and met Ally from Texas, and Ilsa, originally from Berlin, Germany. These two ladies 82, and 79, were quite friendly, and we had a nice long conversation right before the parade. They stayed in a youth hostel for a night, before moving to a quieter hotel. I have to give them credit for staying at a hostel, as I only did that once in my life when I was a teenager.

The parade featured local groups and businesses, and a lot of emphasis on the beloved Orca whales. Someone asked me earlier if Jo Jo would be in the parade, and I just laughed, however I think they were serious, as community members could chip in and walk their dogs in the parade. Jo Jo missed an opportunity to seek fame and fortune!

I took a few hours and walked up and down the shops in the area, visiting several galleries and talked to a painter who paints animals in a whimsical surealistic portrait style. Jayne was very sweet, and we talked about our orange cats.

I also met Bill and Barb, who mentioned leaving their little dog at home, and who had to get a "doggie fix" petting Jo Jo. Barb is sad about leaving her dog, and I did mention challenges traveling with a pet, as an alterated routine. Before I knew it, Bill stepped back, lost his balance and somehow slowly started to sit down on top of a bush, like sitting in a chair, eventually rolling all the way back with his legs sticking up in the air. I had to really control myself from laughing, as it looked like he intentionally planned to do this, and was so graceful. He never lost his smile. He was in good shape, so other than grabbing the hand of a passerby, he got up with just a slight scrape. From there we talked about joint replacements, and it's funny how conversations segway. I am still smiling, no...laughing, over this one.

I am on the ferry back to Anacortes, on Fidalgo. So this completes my amazing tour of the San Juan Islands, including Whidbey, and Orcas. Yes, I have been on several ferries, island hopping! This is the farthest north west region on my current road trip, and just like Maine, last year, my journey now slowly heads back home. 

I was shocked to hear that the ferry ride is FREE from San Juan to Anacortes. It's like getting a bonus in my budget, as I just made the assumption that there would be a fare. Whaaaaa! I am on the back of the ferry, and it's comfortably wind-free, as I enjoy watching the churning waters looking like waves of green calcite, with views of the islands all around. 









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