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Post by Scott on Dec 9, 2006 0:14:50 GMT -8
I'm not planning a trip to either in the near future, but I thought this might make an interesting ongoing discussion. Having never been to the San Juans, I'm interested in hearing from those who have, and especially those who have been to both the San Juans and the Gulf Islands. But how do they compare socially and economically? I suppose comparisions would have to be made island to island, since even amoung the Canadian islands, there are major differences. PS. The American's can thank Kaiser Wilhelm I of Germany that the San Juans aren't Canadian:) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pig_War - a very interesting read:) |
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Post by Low Light Mike on Dec 9, 2006 9:54:51 GMT -8
re the subtle differences between islands:
- on board the Tachek ferry, a lady explained to me that Denman Island is an "Island of Introspection" and that Hornby Island is an "Island of Transformation". Or perhaps this was the other way around?
I suspect that the US San Juans have a similar difference in "energies" from island to island?
I try to visit a different Gulf Island each year, and while they all do initially feel the same (narrow winding road with lots of artisan signs), I do end up noticing some cultural/social distinctions sometimes.
I suspect that the US San Juans also a mix of some islands being more commercial and more easily-reachable, and other islands being more remote and quieter ?
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Post by Barnacle on Dec 9, 2006 10:38:23 GMT -8
Yes, they more or less do. Lopez is reportedly where all the hippies and ex-hippies hang out; Shaw is rather hermitous; San Juan has gone all yuppie, forcing out the long-timers; and Orcas is where the long-timers forced off San Juan end up (as well as some rather established families of their own). Orcas also seems to have a quieter, more reserved population from what I've seen. Needless to say, any of the kids growing up on these rocks can't wait to get the he.. off them. ;D
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Dec 10, 2006 16:35:48 GMT -8
I've never been to the San Juans, and I'd like to know more about them as well. I imagine they're dealing with the same pressures of development that many of our islands are- soaring property values that are pushing out families who rent in favour of vacationers. On Hornby, families are gradually disappearing; the elementary school has lost more than half it's kids in recent years. Are the San Juans facing similar changes in demographics? I don't think their ferry costs have soared as much as ours, though.
FlugelHorn's introduction of this topic got me thinking about the possibility of doing the San Juans and Gulf Islands in one day. Has anyone on this forum tried that yet? I was thinking of doing it once the days get a bit longer.
It would involve getting up very early on a Sunday in order to get down to Anacortes for the 7:45 ferry. Stops at Orcas and San Juan, and arrives Sidney at 10:45. Sightseeing on the Saanich peninsula, and then the Mayne Queen (I think) at 2:40, stopping at Pender and Mayne, and arriving at Sturdies Bay at 4:30. Then the 'Nanaimo to Tsawwassen, leaving at 5:05. Reservations would probably be in order.
Might not get a lot of insight into the differences between the island groups, but it would be a neat trip.
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Post by Political Incorrectness on Dec 10, 2006 17:58:35 GMT -8
Let me guess, next trip is going to be San Juans for Spring.
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Post by Mike C on Dec 10, 2006 20:43:42 GMT -8
Let me guess, next trip is going to be San Juans for Spring. Hey I know!! Let's do a San Juan Island trip! And we'll do it next spring!! Of course, all the credit to me for thinking up the idea.  |
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Koastal Karl
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Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
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Post by Koastal Karl on Dec 13, 2006 10:09:52 GMT -8
Do an San Juan trip while the MV Chelan is on the run. I havent actually been on the San Juan Islands but I have been into Friday Harbour on the ferry that is it. San Juan Island I think it is the biggest out of all the islands there. Orcas would probably be second then either Shaw or Lopez. Out of those two which are smaller??
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Post by Barnacle on Dec 13, 2006 12:54:08 GMT -8
I wouldn't swear to Orcas or San Juan being the largest... I'd have to look it up. Of the remaining two receiving regular service, Shaw is the smaller with about 180-200 people living upon it. That's about one ferry stop for every twenty people, every day... I'm sure they wouldn't enjoy quite such good service if the Orcas dock weren't just across the proverbial street. ;D
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Post by BrianWilliams on Jan 22, 2007 22:22:40 GMT -8
Orcas Island is just bigger (57 sq mi) than San Juan (55). Orcas seems even larger, because it sprawls like our Gambier Island. Very steep in the north, and cut by two deep bays on the south side.
Most Vancouver folks have been looking at Orcas all their lives without knowing it. 2600' Mount Constitution is the highest island peak in the Georgia/Puget basin.
Vancouver kids of the pre-cable, rabbit ears TV generation owe a dubious debt to Orcas Island. Our little minds were fascinated by Hopalong Cassidy, Kit Carson, Roy Rogers and 1950's USA game shows from KVOS ... whose transmitter is still on top of Mt Constitution.
Orcas is my favourite San Juan Island, though. In spite of inevitable gentrification, much of Orcas is too steep to support development. Large Moran State Park preserves some of the uplands, but the steep terrain keeps much more private and state land undeveloped.
Sturdy hikers will find a complex rainshadow forest on Orcas' corrugated north side. Arbutus, garry oaks, shore pines and grassy windswept meadows on one slope; then giant Douglas Firs and hemlock jungle in the next gully. Marvellous.
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FNS
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The Empire Builder train of yesteryear in HO scale
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Post by FNS on Jan 22, 2007 23:01:59 GMT -8
Greetings, all! I was on Orcas myself in June of last year. I went to an all-age weekend camp at YMCA's Camp Orkila. Took a float plane there, which lets me off on the beach.  Beautiful island. Full of Bambi's best friends (drive very carefully on that island). A pipe organ awaits to entertain you at Rosario. The mountain and the views she gives you is spectacular. I suggest all of you to enjoy a family camp at Orkila this September. Great camp. Great fellowship. Great people. Great historical site. Fun activities. Delicious food in a rustic lodge with a view of Saturna. Great entertainment as well as edutainment.  Beautiful morning shadows are on this island. Enjoy beautiful Orcas wisely and leave her the way she was when you arrive. -ferrynutseattle |
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Koastal Karl
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Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
Posts: 7,747
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Post by Koastal Karl on Jan 23, 2007 9:46:50 GMT -8
Have you ever been to San Jaun Island??? Those are the only two islands I wouldent mind seeing. San Jaun and Orcas Island.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jan 23, 2007 9:51:39 GMT -8
"U" before "A"......just like in this thread's title. Juan.
Wahn
Wann
Wonne
Juan singular sensation
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FNS
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The Empire Builder train of yesteryear in HO scale
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Post by FNS on Jan 23, 2007 13:29:53 GMT -8
Have you ever been to San Jaun Island??? Those are the only two islands I wouldent mind seeing. San Jaun and Orcas Island. I have been on San Juan Island. Only once. 1976. I was with grandparents on an activity at Anacortes and we took a day trip by foot to Friday Harbor. We did some looking in shops there and ate in the Mariner Restaurant (might be a new name these days). The town is what you may expect of a typical "small town USA". Took the KALEETAN over (she was the international ferry then) and used Upright Channel. Coming back, we took the NISQUALLY and the passage through Wasp Passage was beautiful. The other two ferries assigned there until 1978 was the EVERGREEN STATE and KLICKITAT. The VASHON replaced the NISQUALLY in 1978, which went to Kingston and the ILLAHEE went to Whidbey. |
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D'Elete BC in NJ
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Post by D'Elete BC in NJ on Jan 23, 2007 13:46:42 GMT -8
The thing I remember about Friday Harbor is the pub that is on the right at the first corner after you get off the ferry. And after that I don't remember much! ;D
All kidding aside, they had some of the best beer I've had in a long time, and they served it in one litre mugs. They also had a fortified beer that was 18% alcohol...wouldn't serve that in the one litre mugs for some reason, no matter how much we begged.
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Post by kylefossett on Jan 23, 2007 16:49:38 GMT -8
The thing I remember about Friday Harbor is the pub that is on the right at the first corner after you get off the ferry. And after that I don't remember much! ;D All kidding aside, they had some of the best beer I've had in a long time, and they served it in one litre mugs. They also had a fortified beer that was 18% alcohol...wouldn't serve that in the one litre mugs for some reason, no matter how much we begged. that is a pretty decent little pub. we have taken the boat down from ganges harbour on a couple of nice summer evenings. |
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Post by ruddernut on Feb 14, 2007 5:03:35 GMT -8
Mount Constitution, Orcas Island FTW.
No better lookout anywhere else on the Islands.
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