We caught the crowded Saturday afternoon ferry to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. This is the most populated island, and it’s a popular weekend spot for folks who live in Seattle. But the word “crowd” is relative – San Juan Island is still a pretty tranquil getaway compared to Seattle’s traffic and tourist crowds.
View of Puget Sound and Mt. Rainier from San Juan Island
We were surprised to find a National Parks site on the island – the San Juan Island National Historic Park. I guess in the late 1800’s, the U.S. and Britain got into a dispute over who owned the island. Both sides set up military installations, and a cold war-like stalemate ensued that lasted 12 years. (The dispute was eventually settled via arbitration, and the British gave up their claim.) Apparently, the British made their camp quite homey, with a formal garden, fruit trees, and permanent structures. In contrast, the American camp was kind of a desolate place – it was on the drier side of the island, and the men lived in tents with only a few wooden structures. Both the American and British camps have been preserved.
Where would you rather set up camp?
Although it was somewhat interesting, I certainly wouldn’t recommend taking a special trip to San Juan just to see the historical park – it’s no Fort Sumter or anything. I think the main part of San Juan Island’s allure is just hanging out at one of the pubs or cafes in Friday Harbor, watching the boats go by.
No comments:
Post a Comment