Notes from The Coop
Mt. Finlayson Hike

Due to some strong suggestions from the office staff, I find myself at South Beach, a spot usually not discovered while sea kayaking in the San Juan Islands, hiking with Clark’s dog Celeste up Mt. Finlayson. This end of the island is a favorite for many locals, and I can see why. The trail to the top of Mt. Finlayson is bordered by tall yellow grass where deer meander until they catch sight of my presence and then bound off into the woods. To my right, I look out over the ocean to miles and miles of cerulean water and waves that silently crash onto the shore below. In the distance, the Olympic Mountains appear to jut out of the water. Their white, snow-dusted peaks are covered with a shroud of misty clouds. I feel like I am caught in the middle of colliding worlds; sky, forest, ocean, and mountains surround me.

Celeste and I pause at the top of Mt. Finlayson to look around and then follow the trail down towards the beach. South Beach, like most of the beaches here on the island, is marked by bleached white logs and driftwood that have washed up on the shore throughout the years. These driftwood remnants contrast starkly with the dark pebbly shore and also serve as makeshift benches where I can sit and watch the waves roll in.

I throw a stick for Celeste for awhile and then we head back up towards the car. I’m sure that I will come back here again sometime soon. It’s the perfect spot to get a little exercise, relax, or eat a picnic lunch, all while basking in the picturesque beauty of San Juan Island.

Notes from The Coop
Staff Training 2008

Our staff training trip replicated the three day “Eagles and Orcas” sea kayaking trip in the San Juan Islands in which we all played the part of the guide—shopping for the food, packing the dishes and gear, loading the boats, checking the currents and tides, etc. Our group made for some interesting dynamics and fun memories. Magda is an experienced sea and white water kayaker who earned the nick-name “Hot Magma” on the trip due to her expert kayak moves. Frewin Hermer used to work for Outward Bound before hopping aboard with Outdoor Odysseys. His best friend Jonathon Herzog who is familiar with paddling around the islands also came along for the ride. In addition to this goofy pair, Laura Caldwell also joined us as a first year guide. In the off-season she works as a nurse in Seattle. Finally, we had Kaitlin Lorino, office staff and part-time guide, Tom Murphy, our seasoned 4th year guide and trainer, and me!

Our first paddle day was chilly and damp, but once we started moving I immediately warmed up. Of all the necessities needed on the kayak, a frisbee was the most important. Fortunately, the currents were not that strong and we were able to have a little game in the middle of Spieden Channel.

Past Spieden, the opening to Reid Harbor on Stuart Island became visible. We passed Gossip and Cemetery, two micro-islands that stand like sentries guarding the mouth of the harbor, and paddled slowly into our destination. An osprey nest was perched at the top of a bare tree, and as we landed, the osprey took off and slowly circled in the air above us like a white and brown speckled kite. We set up camp along a ridge overlooking the harbor below. The sun set languidly, casting a pinkish glow on the water as we exchanged stories and laughter over bowls of Mediterranean Smoked Salmon pasta courtesy of guide/trainer, Tom Murphy, Outdoor Odysseys fourth year guide.

That night, while sleeping, Frewin discovered that the deer on Stuart Island have a sweet tooth. Apparently he had not managed to clean all of the whipped cream off his face from dessert that night, and he was rudely awakened by a deer licking his cheek with relish. Frewin did not appreciate the deer’s effort to clean his face for him and screamed. The deer scampered into the forest and Frewin scampered into a tent where he remained the next night.

The next day we circum- navigated Stuart Island, which provided us with intimate views of marine wildlife including river otters, purple sea stars, porpoises, bald eagles, harbor seals, and pigeon guillemots. We were tired by the time we got back to camp, but we still had enough energy to hike up to Lover’s Leap, a spot overlooking Turn Point and stunning views of the Canadian Gulf Islands.

The next morning we woke up early, packed up camp, and headed back for San Juan Island. It was a gorgeous, sunny day and we made good time across Spieden Channel and into Roche Harbor. After a leisurely lunch, we headed back for The Coop where we would then unload and clean up after an hilarious and adventurous trip.

Notes from the Coop
Lopez Island

My first day off happened to be gray and drizzly but the damp weather wasn’t about to douse my sense of adventure. I had already made up my mind to visit Lopez Island, another hotspot for sea kayaking in the San Juan Islands and also the island considered best for cycling since it is relatively flat. I left on board the 11:40 ferry with my bike and a backpack loaded up with camping gear.

A steep hill greeted me as I disembarked the ferry which was quite the obstacle to ride up while wearing a giant backpack. But once up the hill, it was smooth sailing down to Odlin State Park, my campsite for the night. The site where I pitched my tent was nice, a lush green hideaway surrounded by tall firs with an opening that overlooked the seas below. There was no way I would be able to build a fire because it was still raining and by now the fire pit was thoroughly damp. Oh well. I forgot to bring matches anyway. I loaded up a small backpack with some necessary items, and hopped on my bike.

As I got out on the road, the countryside was undeniably beautiful. Rolling grassy hills dotted with aging farmhouses. Horses, cows, and the occasional sheep roamed the countryside and growing along the ditches that lined the road were purple lupines and a wild yellow flowering shrub. I rode into Lopez Village on the west side of the island. The little town consisted of one main road with some tiny shops, bakeries, and restaurants. Two people had recommended that I try Holly B’s Bakery so I did. The oatmeal raisin cookie and the slice of pizza that I devoured were amazing. Next time I’m there I will be sure to try the carmelized onion brie bread (Kaitlin’s favorite).

After lunch and a short tour around Lopez Village, I headed towards Spencer Spit State Park. I passed some open pastures with a great view overlooking the water. The clouds even began to part and I saw the sun. Almost immediately I was filled with a sense of optimism and excitement….Spencer Spit State Park! I parked my bike and walked down a wooded trail to the beach. The spit was shaped like a triangle with a marsh in the middle of it. The sand deposited by currents coming from the north and south gave it a symmetrical shape. At this point, the sun was really shining through the clouds at this point and my mood was lifted by the beauty of the area. Bleached logs lined the gravelly beach and I sat on one and watched the waves rolling in. It was low tide and it smelled like it too. The pungent salty odor was refreshing.

By the time I returned to Odlin State Park, the sun was beginning to set over the water. I sat on a bleached log and watched the ocean turn a rosy hue. My first time on Lopez Island had been an enjoyable one.

Notes From the Coop
San Juan Island Marathon and Half Marathon

Today was race day on San Juan Island! The annual San Juan Island Marathon and Half Marathon began at the fairgrounds in Friday Harbor and I decided to join the pack. I thought the half little exercise. The gun sounded at 8:30 am, and everyone took off down Argyle Street into downtown Friday Harbor. We must have been quite the spectacle for curious tourists who were just stepping outside to grab some breakfast. The runners included hardcore, muscled marathoners, joggers dressed in Hawaiian hula skirts and everyone in between. I qualified as an in-betweener, just ready to have fun and use the beautiful scenery as a way to distract myself from the pain that was sure to develop in my legs. 

The first five miles followed San Juan road, a quiet road surrounded by miles of open pastoral land. A faint scent of manure floated in the air as I ran by a pasture with some grazing cows. On an up-hill leg, I noticed a quaint blue house with alpacas in the front yard! This was quite a different experience than my last race that took place on the city streets of Denver. As we turned onto Wold Road, thickly wooded forests enclosed around us. Every couple of miles, families that had camped out to cheer on the runners offered us water, Gatorade, and the occasional slice of orange.

After a killer uphill on mile six, we reached Pelindaba Lavendar Farm. Fields of lavender sprawled out before us. Although the lavender hadn’t bloomed yet, I made a mental note to stop by here later in the summer when a sea of purple was sure to emerge. Around mile 8, the marathoners split off to the right, following a route that would lead them to the west side of the island, the spot where Outdoor Odysseys goes sea kayaking in the San Juan Islands. I was curious to know if the marathonerswould end up seeing Orca whales along the coast, but the downhill prospect of Bailer Hill Road was, at the moment, more appealing than having to run 13 extra miles.

The finish line in front of the San Juan County Fairgrounds

Finally, I passed the island’s small airport, turned onto Argyle, and used my last ounces of energy to run up the steep hill that led to the finish line. Yes! Not only did I achieve a personal best in the race, but I also got a tour of some of the gorgeous countryside of San Juan Island. Maybe next year I’ll even run the full marathon. Maybe…