Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
near Deer Harbor and has a steep 1.3-mile trail that leads to Ship's Peak and a view that
rivals the one from Mt Constitution.
Horseback trail riding on the mountain is run out of nearby
Turtlehead Farm
(
www.turtleheadfarm.com
;
231 Lime Quarry Rd;
)
for $60 an hour.
DOWN ON ORCAS
Eddie Bauer, he of the sporting-goods empire, was born on Orcas Island in 1899.
As a young man working in an outdoors store he earned a reputation for stringing
tennis rackets, even winning a tournament for speed. On a fishing trip on the
Olympic Peninsula in 1934, Bauer nearly died of exposure when he took off his
wet woolen jacket. Two years later, in Seattle, he invented the down parka. The
Skyliner, the quilted down jacket he patented in 1936, became a popular item in
the Eddie Bauer store.
Lopez Island
SPENCER SPIT STATE PARK
PARK
This is one of only four state parks on the San Juan archipelago. Here two sand spits
have formed a marshy lagoon that is a prime spot for various species of waterfowl. It's
a good place to kayak, fish, beachcomb and enjoy the unique and stunning scenery. If
you've got gear and a shellfish license it's also a popular spot to forage for mollusks.
WATMOUGH HEAD
BEACHES
This scenic area at the island's southeastern extremity holds three trails, the best being
the less-than-quarter-mile stroll to Watmaugh Bay, a stunning arc of pebbly sand
framed by a sheer rock cliff on its northern side. Young seals may pop their heads up at
you from the water as you wander the shore.
LOPEZ ISLAND VINEYARDS
WINE TASTING
(
www.lopezislandvineyards.com
;
Lopez Village; tastings from $5; noon-5pm Fri & Sat May-Sep)
This producer has been making wines from grapes grown organically on the island
since 1987. Napa Valley it ain't, but you can drop into the Lopez Village tasting room
to sample its Madeleine Angevine and Siegerrebe varieties.
