Cascade Loop – Anacortes, WA (86)

We planned a trip to Utah with my in-laws and ended up in Washington state instead! Many times being flexible really works out for the best. My in-laws, Mike and Sandy, just returned from a three-week trip to Europe and were still getting over jet lag. When we suggested that we visit them instead of meeting in Utah they jumped at the offer. We had never taken an RV to Washington, so this was a good way to earn our Washington sticker. 🙂

Mike suggested we visit different sites around the Cascade Loop, which sounded great to us.

Over three weeks, we visited Anacortes, Leavenworth, and Concrete (which also included a visit to Mount Baker). Each place had a distinct charm about it, and the visit only made us want to return each year and explore even more of the state.

Our first destination was Anacortes, a beautiful little town on Fidalgo Island, and the gateway by ferry to the San Juan Islands. Mike and Sandy have lived there for years, and we’ve loved our many visits with them over the years. However, this was our first time in a motorhome, and they arranged for us to stay at a private campground located right on the water!

It was very peaceful there and we enjoyed watching the shallow bay “breathe” with the tides.

At high tide, the otters would play in the water, and at low tide, birds and sometimes people would venture out quite far into the bay to dig for clams.

Close to the campground was a bike trail converted from an old rail line, allowing us to ride into Anacortes each morning for coffee.

After enjoying the activities planned for the day, many evenings were spent with Mike and Sandy playing a card game or board game. We learned a game call Sequence, which is both a card and board game.

We loved our stay in Anacortes as each day brought something new.

Anacortes is known for the life-sized paintings of town people that are affixed to the various business in the area. They have over 100 of these scattered throughout the town, and its fun to see how many you can spot on your visit.

Here we are at a local favorite, the Brown Lantern, which has been here since 1933.

The marina in Anacortes is very beautiful. We enjoyed walking it and eating seafood on Anthony’s Cabana patio.

One morning I rode to the top of a bluff close to the marina, and was rewarded with this vista of the town and marina.

Each week, during the summer they have a farmers market, which was well done. We went twice during our visit to enjoy the baked goods, fresh vegetables and live music.

We were also there during the annual Art Festival. They close down their main street and line it with vendor tents, music and food We loved walking the festival as many local artists were displaying their craft. Along with the music and food, it made for a great day.

We also connected with a friend and his wife who moved here after retiring from the Lab a few months before me. Their home has an incredible view of the sound, including the Anacortes harbor, and they are walking distance to the ferry. They were wonderful hosts, and treated us to delicious crab cakes made from fresh crab they caught on their own boat the day before. We look forward to visiting with them again on our next trip to the area.

Deb’s brother and Sister-in-Law were on a sailing vacation in the sound and we visited them at the Deception Pass Marina and Friday Harbor. Deception Pass Marina was a very short drive from Anacortes. We brought dinner and we ate right on the pier while we caught up with each other. I can see why sailing also had its charms. 🙂

 

We met them again while they were at Friday Harbor. To get there, we took a ferry from Anacortes. Since they were right at the harbor, we walked on the ferry and met them at the dock. Visiting Friday Harbor is a great way to spend a day. Lots of places to eat and enjoy the sights and sounds of an Island in the sound.Â

In fact, a ferry ride is a great way to see the sound. You can walk off at several stops any enjoy the shops and restaurants unique to each island. On the water, you can take in the blue water vistas.

We enjoyed other nearby places, including La Connor and a stop for ice cream at Snowgoose Produce, but left other things, such as kayaking in Bowman Bay, for next time.

Too soon, however, it was time to leave for our next destination along the Cascade Loop. We left many things for next time, including kayaking in Bowman Bay, spending a day on the water. However, God willing, we’ll be back soon. On to Leavenworth!

Al & Deb