San Juan Islands, Traveling Green
Eco-Tourists Can Leave a Small Footprint by Biking or Sea Kayaking
Jul 13, 2008
Described as the paradise of the Pacific Northwest, there are 172 named islands in the San Juan archipelago. Four major ones (San Juan Island, Shaw, Lopez and Orcas) can be reached regularly via the Washington State ferry from Anacortes. “Green” exploring eco-tourists can travel as foot passengers and bicyclists, eat locally grown produce, sample island wines and interact with nature, all the while impacting minimally on the environment.
By Bike
Leaving the car behind is the biggest reduction of carbon emissions. Using your own bike or renting on the 3 main islands (Shaw excepted) is easy. Lopez is the flattest island with 33 miles of biking roads and its own Tour de Lopez in April, while San Juan is "rolling", and Orcas has a five-mile ride to the top of 2,400 foot Mt. Constitution. Some routes are:
- On Lopez one end to the other from Ferry Landing to Agate Beach is approximately 20 miles.
- On San Juan, Friday Harbor to Roche Harbor at the north end is 10 miles or for a shorter 5 mile circuit, try Pear Point.
- On Orcas, from the Village to Obstruction Pass in a horseshoe route is 20 miles.
- On Shaw, you can circumnavigate the flat island’s 13 miles.
There are plenty of places to stop and catch your breath or have it taken away by fantastic views. Also island hopping is free by foot or bike.
By Sea Kayak
If you prefer paddle power over pedal power, there are multi-day guided tours and each of the major three islands rents kayaks. The eastern sides of the islands are more protected but adventures abound anywhere:
· Taking sunset paddles to marvel at silhouettes of Vancouver Island and the Olympic Mts.
· Sightings of harbor seal and river otters; blue heron and bald eagles, and black-tailed deer
· Exploring Roche Harbor and the shoreline by Henry Is. and Mitchell Bay along Haro Strait and viewing orca pods off Lime Kiln State Park on San Juan
A helpful web site is http://www.guidetosanjuans.com/ .
The Slow Food Movement:
The San Juans are a perfect venue to become acquainted with the International Slow Food Movement (http://www.slowfood.com/about_us/eng/mission), a green trend that states “...to showcase products of excellent gastronomic quality and to offer discerning consumers the opportunity to meet producers” . The islands have popular farmers markets and discrete local wares. For instance,
- Organic Lopez Is. Vineyard produces Madeleine Angevine and Seigerebe, as does San Juan Vineyard.
- Westcott Bay on San Juan has an aquaculture of oysters, clams and mussels supplied to local restaurants.
- Pelindaba Farm in central San Juan, "a vertically integrated model of sustainable agriculture", grows lavender .
- Lopez Farmer’s Market offers island-produced fruit and vegetables as well as jams, chutneys, and pickles plus seafood and grass fed meats.
They even had a 12-year occupation ending in 1872 when diplomats established that the islands were American, set the international border, and avoided a war over a slain pig.
Eco-tourist exploration, independent or guided, by bike or sea kayak is perfect on the San Juan Islands. How "green" is that!
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