Judy’s guidebook

Judy
Judy’s guidebook

Local History and Scenic

The Rosario Resort and Spa is known around the world for its special place and services, including their food and the spa. Less well known, perhaps is that this is a center for going and coming to other parts of the San Juan Archipelago. In the summer months, Wildlife and Whale watching tours leave from this harbor. Kayak tours move through the waters of Rosario harbor. Boats of all kinds moor here, and you can book a day sailing adventure, or a trip to fish for the myriad of species that exist in the waters below. And in all seasons, you can come and leave by seaplane! Ask me how to book these services--I'd love to help your visit come alive.
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Rosario Resort & Spa
1400 Rosario Rd
25 broj lokalaca koji preporučuju
The Rosario Resort and Spa is known around the world for its special place and services, including their food and the spa. Less well known, perhaps is that this is a center for going and coming to other parts of the San Juan Archipelago. In the summer months, Wildlife and Whale watching tours leave from this harbor. Kayak tours move through the waters of Rosario harbor. Boats of all kinds moor here, and you can book a day sailing adventure, or a trip to fish for the myriad of species that exist in the waters below. And in all seasons, you can come and leave by seaplane! Ask me how to book these services--I'd love to help your visit come alive.

Hiking, Birding, and Sightseeing

Moran State Park is the largest state park in the Washington Parks system. Located on Orcas Island, it includes 26 miles of trails and many buildings (including the stone tower) that were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930's. Beautiful giant trees of Western Red Cedar, Western Hemlock, Douglas Fir, and Sitka Spruce can be found on the trails. Waterfalls are lovely to hike beside in cool weather, or to swim beneath in the summer. History notes at interpretive signs and in the tower and center at the top of the center are well done. There is also a fine gift shop at the top of the mountain called Mount Constitution. From the viewpoints at the tower, you can see Canada, Bellingham, many of the other San Juan and Gulf Islands, and Mount Baker. On a very clear day you can even see Mount Rainier. Picnicking, camping, swimming, boating, and hiking are some of the many activities possible at the park. There is a trail from behind my condominium that you can use to hike directly into the park.
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Moran State Park
3572 Olga Rd
69 broj lokalaca koji preporučuju
Moran State Park is the largest state park in the Washington Parks system. Located on Orcas Island, it includes 26 miles of trails and many buildings (including the stone tower) that were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930's. Beautiful giant trees of Western Red Cedar, Western Hemlock, Douglas Fir, and Sitka Spruce can be found on the trails. Waterfalls are lovely to hike beside in cool weather, or to swim beneath in the summer. History notes at interpretive signs and in the tower and center at the top of the center are well done. There is also a fine gift shop at the top of the mountain called Mount Constitution. From the viewpoints at the tower, you can see Canada, Bellingham, many of the other San Juan and Gulf Islands, and Mount Baker. On a very clear day you can even see Mount Rainier. Picnicking, camping, swimming, boating, and hiking are some of the many activities possible at the park. There is a trail from behind my condominium that you can use to hike directly into the park.

Holiday Happenings on Orcas Island

What to do to get away in the wintertime during the rainy and cold weather in the Pacific Northwest.
Throughout the fall and winter, the Mansion Food services staff offers a unique set of festivities. December is the month that Rosario Resort hosts the "Festival of Trees" in which 15-20 non-profit organizations decorate a tree for the mansion. Visitors can come just to view them (open to public and free), or they can vote for their favorites for a nominal fee, and all proceeds are donated to that individual cause. Such fun, and so artistic! Most years there are also Musical offerings-- The Chamber Music festival offers a special program in mid to late December. There are performances on many evenings in the lounge--truly lovely musicians come and perform--sax, piano, clarinet, trumpet and others perform classics and jazz. And there is always a special night on New Year's Eve--often with dance-able music!
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The Mansion Restaurant at Rosario Resort & Spa
1400 Rosario Road
8 broj lokalaca koji preporučuju
Throughout the fall and winter, the Mansion Food services staff offers a unique set of festivities. December is the month that Rosario Resort hosts the "Festival of Trees" in which 15-20 non-profit organizations decorate a tree for the mansion. Visitors can come just to view them (open to public and free), or they can vote for their favorites for a nominal fee, and all proceeds are donated to that individual cause. Such fun, and so artistic! Most years there are also Musical offerings-- The Chamber Music festival offers a special program in mid to late December. There are performances on many evenings in the lounge--truly lovely musicians come and perform--sax, piano, clarinet, trumpet and others perform classics and jazz. And there is always a special night on New Year's Eve--often with dance-able music!
Each New Year's Day, the local rowing team hosts the Polar Bear Plunge. Start the New Year's right, and take a quick DIP in the cold, clear waters of Cascade Lake with 1-200 of your new (slightly crazy) friends! Scheduled in the morning on New Year's Day, do something a little different this year :) A lovely spot any time of the year, and great for swimming and boating during the summer.
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Cascade Lake
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Each New Year's Day, the local rowing team hosts the Polar Bear Plunge. Start the New Year's right, and take a quick DIP in the cold, clear waters of Cascade Lake with 1-200 of your new (slightly crazy) friends! Scheduled in the morning on New Year's Day, do something a little different this year :) A lovely spot any time of the year, and great for swimming and boating during the summer.

Arts and Musical Offerings

For two glorious weeks in the late summertime of August, the Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival brings world renowned artists to our lovely island to play a series of amazing concerts. Book early--if you need help, I would love to assist!.
Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival
For two glorious weeks in the late summertime of August, the Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival brings world renowned artists to our lovely island to play a series of amazing concerts. Book early--if you need help, I would love to assist!.
So you've seen folk art, and you think you've seen it all. But really, you haven't. This amazing cooperative of local folks that live and work on the island will show you things you've truly never seen before. Lovely work, done with care. Over 40 different artists. In addition, the artworks is hosted in an old Strawberry Canning Factory! Back in the early 1900's, before the railroads brought fruit by rail to Seattle, Orcas Island was the "fruitbasket" of Seattle. Apples, Pears, Plums, Prunes, Cherries, Apricots, and Strawberries were all grown commercially on this island. The artworks now occupies the building where the barrels of strawberries were made and packed, before being loaded on boats at the Olga Dock. In addition--when you visit-- do you like pie? Great little restaurant is on the premises.
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Orcas Island Artworks
11 Point Lawrence Rd
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So you've seen folk art, and you think you've seen it all. But really, you haven't. This amazing cooperative of local folks that live and work on the island will show you things you've truly never seen before. Lovely work, done with care. Over 40 different artists. In addition, the artworks is hosted in an old Strawberry Canning Factory! Back in the early 1900's, before the railroads brought fruit by rail to Seattle, Orcas Island was the "fruitbasket" of Seattle. Apples, Pears, Plums, Prunes, Cherries, Apricots, and Strawberries were all grown commercially on this island. The artworks now occupies the building where the barrels of strawberries were made and packed, before being loaded on boats at the Olga Dock. In addition--when you visit-- do you like pie? Great little restaurant is on the premises.
Who doesn't love live theatre (when done well) and music? There is not a bad seat in the house of this approximately 200 seat theatre. And their offerings are just plain great. You will not be disappointed.
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Orcas Center
917 Mt Baker Rd
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Who doesn't love live theatre (when done well) and music? There is not a bad seat in the house of this approximately 200 seat theatre. And their offerings are just plain great. You will not be disappointed.