Last month, I got to switch coasts from my last trip in PEI, Canada to the far west coast - braving the rich waters of The San Juan Islands in Washington state. It was an incredible trip - made better by meeting new friends, plenty of characters, and of course cooking and eating great food. If you've never been - I highly suggest going. But to do it right, you need to get on a boat. Perusing each island on your own schedule, charting your own course - and destiny - is the way this beautiful paradise is meant to be discovered.
The San Juan Islands are an archipelago chain just off the mainland, about a 90 minute drive from Seattle, accessible by ferry, plane, and personal/chartered water crafts.
Each and every island posses its own character - from wild life sanctuaries to islander townies to quaint villages boasting an array of lively restaurants and bars.
You can check out Discover Boating's page for a full guide to The San Juan Islands on your next visit. Better yet? They've got you covered on some of the most unique travel/boating destinations in the country!
Getting down to food - you can check out my recipes, some of which are pictured below, in a recent feature from my trip over at The Art of Manliness. There's a wealth of info in the article, including where to stay, where to go, how to get there - by boat - and also the proper way to filet a big ole king salmon. Tip - you've got to catch one to filet it!
Anyways, here are some of the pictures and highlights from the trip. Unbelievable to think I took all these pictures, and I'm in NONE of them! The joys of being behind the camera I suppose.
Oh well . . . there's always next time.
Cheers!
MM
![](../-V8iYyxl5qwQ/UkOGdyuO2QI/AAAAAAAABxw/4C0j-3K-LU0/s640/IMG_0260.JPG) |
An Orca and pup in the distance |
![](../-JbckeW38h84/UkOGBo4aw-I/AAAAAAAABxo/XcDek23M-5A/s640/IMG_0198.JPG) |
America - Sunset view from the boat. |
![](../-N-ZNyIUGXsY/UkOFoWzeSQI/AAAAAAAABxI/qTRurJvGtHk/s640/IMG_0235.jpg) |
My Pal Kirk landing a Pinkie |
![](../-Zi4QrKpe0Po/UkOFZCiywGI/AAAAAAAABxA/LaUAyqQKH9k/s640/IMG_0309.JPG) |
Choose your own adventure - Ferry vs. Seaplane. |
![](../-SvcZxWxL9b0/UkOFH1Ue9HI/AAAAAAAABw4/sol5U1SzSVs/s640/IMG_0222.JPG) |
Dockside Dining |
![](../-05NP5WPIP2M/UkOESSE0rsI/AAAAAAAABws/V_esA9-mtdA/s640/IMG_0138.JPG) |
Seattle Sailing Series |
![](../-gyo6gspRCIY/UkOCV_3EntI/AAAAAAAABwI/olwQxtazOLU/s640/IMG_0283.JPG) |
Simply Seared Sockeye Salmon |
![](../-C5NmUpC1j1A/UkODywdKnmI/AAAAAAAABwk/YMh9SeoBNfI/s640/IMG_0077.JPG) |
Public Market - Seattle |
![](../-n2gfyFOTN0M/UkOC5AyBFEI/AAAAAAAABwQ/dMzalir1T-A/s640/IMG_0213.JPG) |
Dungeness Crab Pasta Salad |
![](../-PxX6iW0LojY/UkODNVx6xOI/AAAAAAAABwY/IQ4ONCK3GWY/s640/IMG_0220.jpg) |
Oysters on the Half Shell
|