Last weekend (Mother's Day) was fabulous weather, 72 degrees and bright sunshine - a few puffy white clouds in the sky - so after a Mother's Day breakfast at a nice local cafe in Bellingham we headed for the Guemes Island ferry. It is a small island, only 7.96 square miles in size, and the highest point is 560 feet
Bellingham is where are the sparkly stars are - Guemes Island is marked by the "A" . It sits right off the coast from Anacortes which is an hour's drive from our house. The big group of islands to the left (west) is the San Juan Islands - a different ferry ride would take us there. The solid black line marks the boundary between the US and Canada.
This is the same map - I just love maps so thought I'd show this version too. You can see Mt. Baker in the far upper right corner - about and hour and a half drive from our house.
If you'd like to read about the Guemes Island Ferries through the years - Passage to Guemes
This is the ferry we rode on - it hold 16 cars - or 24 Mini Coopers (in case you were wondering)
On the trip to Guemes Island we were in the position of the white car at the front left - on the way back we were the last car in the right row
This may be one of the most popular photos of the Guemes Ferry - the life ring right beside our car.
Our view from the front of the ferry - Guemes Island - straight ahead. The ride is only about 3 minutes and cost 8.50 for two passengers and a car.
Landing at the dock
We start out along the beach - the view is of Anacortes just back across the channel
The views from anywhere on the island are spectacular
The roads criss-crossing the island are just as spectacular
Flowers are blooming everywhere - lilacs, daffodils and poppies in the yards - English daisies in the lawns and parks - Golden Chain trees in hedges and Fringe Cups on the sides of the road
I'm not sure what this flower is - I thought at first it was Elderberry but the leaves are quite different and it is a low growing plant and not a shrub like Elderberry would be.
A Dandelion wish caught on the flower.
Fringe Cup - a wild flower all along the roadsides - along with ferns and the big leaves of Thimbleberries
The biggest grove of Golden Chain trees I'd ever seen - they were plentiful on the island
One of my favorite view - a vast lawn, Golden Chain Tree and the bay with islands in the distance
There are many charming houses on the island
One of my favorites
I'd not seen a house painted all one color before - it is so very pretty
The upstairs window has a sailboat
The nearby barn is left unpainted except for the window trim
Lovely trees and a log cabin
A very old, well kept log cabin
A little fishing cottage
With the sea captain on deck
One woodshed had a wooden quilt
I suspect that a quilter lives here.
There was so much more to explore on Guemes Island - it is a small island, but big on charm. I'll be back next time with more about Guemes Island
What a beautiful place to visit, JoAnn. I will add it to the list for the day when we finally get on the Anacortes Ferry and make the trip over. It's something I've always wanted to do. I love that old barn with the painted windows - another idea to file away!
ReplyDeleteWe rarely explore around Bellingham. When we get to town it is a mad dash to get things done like doctor and dentist appointments. Plus there's shopping for things we need to take home to the cabin. Looks like this would be a fun, relaxing spot to visit. - Margy
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun little island to explore. Like Pondside I will add this to our places to visit one day. Perhaps in our boat. I do love all the charming homes you showed us.
ReplyDeleteThis is like a little piece of heaven on earth! It is beautiful! What a fun adventure! Being so small, I didn't expect it to have much of a population. Clearly people love that little paradise and take great care of their charming homes. I do like the yellow one, but that solid color salt box is my favorite! Thanks for the fun visit!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely place to visit, it looks so lush and green.
ReplyDeleteWow! It's a really gorgeous little island & the houses you've shown are beautiful! I wish it were just a tad closer to our neck of the woods. I think I've seen that mystery flower, too. (I can't name it but it's definitely not an elderberry.)That ferry is so small! I rode on one like that once, on Vancouver Island. The ride wasn't much longer than yours.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful part of the world you live in! Thanks for the visit!
ReplyDeleteOh, JoAnn, I love riding on the ferries. What a beautiful island. I want to live there in that little red house. One of these days we will be making the trip up to your area again. It's been a few years and I just love it up there..Happy Weekend..Judy
ReplyDeleteGuemes Island is quite the place. We were there in April--at a low tide just to Agate hunt. It is also famous for it's agates. We got plenty. It is a very charming Island. I am glad you show cased it. MB
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