Orcas Island » Just 5 More Minutes

A Hike to Remember

Hiking, Orcas Island, San Juan Islands 5 Responses »

Jul 262012

One of our first missions when visiting Orcas Island years ago was to discover the plethora of trails to hike here on the Island. Orcas is home to many, many incredible hiking trails including this waterfall hike located in Moran State Park that we are still talking about to this day.

We have heard about Turtleback Mountain for quite some time and today was the perfect day to go and experience it. As we spotted the trail head, I also spied this sweet little self serve farm stand nearby.

Of course we had to stop :)

~ B analyzing the trail map

~ Peek-a-boo sweeping views greet you around every switchback

~ Eagle Feather (can you see it?)

The freshly harvested greens that were for sale were even decorated with blue borage flowers, which are edible.

As we hiked on I couldn’t help but think how wonderful it was to know that this beautiful place where we were, would stay like this forever thanks to the San Juan County Land Bank and the San Juan Preservation Trust. Both of those special organizations have created security and peace of mind for everyone who lives on the Islands and beyond. Peace of mind in knowing that future generations will be able to come here and enjoy Turtleback Mountain as much as we were enjoying it today.

Close up view of an island outside of West Sound Marina. I believe it is a private island as there is a house there. But I could be wrong . . .

I couldn’t have said it better myself. The residents of the San Juan Islands do live in sweet abundance and how lucky they all are xoxo

I hope that if you ever come to visit Orcas Island you will take a nice hike on Turtleback Mountain. Here is a brochure/trail map for you if you would like.

A View of Turtleback Mountain on Google Maps (you may have to hit F5 if it reads an error, sorry about that)

View Larger Map

The Promise of Long Summer Days and a Kayak Tour with Shearwater Kayaks

Airstream Kitchen, Kayaking, Orcas Island, San Juan Islands, Sweet Treats 7 Responses »

Jul 232012

Warm air, sunny blue skies and long days. These are just a few of our favorite things about summer.

Our summer, so far has been spent in the San Juan Islands here in Washington State. Every weekend, we are here. Well, I should correct that — every weekend, I am here. Hubby and B are the lucky ones that can be here all of the time since school is out for summer. They call me while I am working away in busy corporate America telling me about the whales that are breaching off the coast of South Beach on San Juan Island while I am frantically fixing the copy machine that has flooded our work room with a sea of papers. Or they call me to tell me about the most delicious lunch they have just enjoyed while I glance down at my pitiful brown bag lunch now smashed because I unknowingly dropped it on the floor and proceeded to roll over it with my chair. *sigh* This is not all, I also receive pictures via my email that hubby snapped from his phone of certain events happening during their days such as dungeness crabs they have caught, views from the top of mountains they have climbed all while being co-mingled with urgent emails from fellow colleagues needing A.S.A.P. help with something.

But really, I am happy for them because I know they are having the time of their lives. Really!

What keeps me going? The fact that on Friday’s I have a one way ticket to paradise . . .

~ A Weekend Escape to Orcas Island from Corporate America

These weekends for me are filled with excitement because after five long days of not seeing my boys — there they are.

“Mommeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!” cries B as he runs to me, weaving in and out of the line of walk on passengers. He literally, runs faster than a speeding train and I must really brace myself to make sure we don’t fall over.

“Are we going to go kayaking now??” he asked.

“Yes! ” and with that came a big sigh of relief :)

Kayaking was on my mind all week and I could hardly wait. Our tour guide was Jeff with Shearwater Kayaks and on this evening we were able to tag along while he toured a lovely couple, Kathy and Robert on a sunset kayak tour. Not only does Jeff know these waters like no other but he teaches you quickly and easily the ropes of kayaking.

Finally, my weekend has begun . . .

In addition to exploring the islands and all of the outdoor activities they offer, I love going to the farmer’s market to pick up goodies like these. I was very excited to see currants there. Oh those currants, how I have missed them!

These are just some of the views you can expect to experience while on a sea kayak tour with Shearwater

Peaceful, quiet and beautiful . . .

Wildlife abounds in the San Juan Islands as seen this evening on our kayak tour . . .

Grilled and flattened sugared figs with a honey and ricotta. Another simple, yet elegant creation prepared in my Airstream kitchen with ingredients from the islands . . .

Thank you Jeff for allowing us to come along on your incredible kayak tour :) It will be a memory we will have forever and can hardly wait to come back again!!

Home sweet home :)

A Story about Buck Bay Shellfish Farm and a Clam Soup

Airstream Kitchen, Clamming & Crabbing, Dinner, Lunch, Orcas Island, San Juan Islands 9 Responses »

Jul 192012

“Monica, you should visit Toni out at Buck Bay Shellfish in Olga. You can pull live oysters, clams, local dungeness crab and island salmon straight from her tanks and coolers and if you wish, shuck them right there while looking out over the bay from where they came.” suggested my friend Jon Kobayashi, General Manager for The Outlook Inn and New Leaf Cafe.

I would like to say, I am very happy that he did because here at Buck Bay Shellfish Farm I had a life changing moment. You see, I would have never considered myself one to seek out oysters but rather “tolerate” them when the opportunity to experience them presented itself.

But now, things are different for me. I am obsessed with them. You can ask hubby. It’s a problem.

When we made our visit to Buck Bay Shellfish farm here on Orcas Island the concept that my mother taught me when I was little about cooking and keeping things simple and fresh, well, that concept rang very true here. Oysters pulled straight out of the clear blue waters of the Salish Sea arrived on my plate and only with a squeeze of lime. That is it.

Simplicity at its best.

In addition to steaming Buck Bay’s clams on the beach over an open fire, I also made a very delicious non fussy soup (I used my immersion blender). Once the soup was finished I took a medium sized sauce pan and added 1 tablespoon of butter over medium high heat and let it melt upon which time I tossed in one pound of clams with a sprinkling of garlic powder, covered the lid and in less than two minutes they were open. I then poured the clams and all of the wonderful juices into the soup. This was amazingly easy and very flavorful. The orange you see garnishing the soup is chili oil. If you don’t know about chili oil, it is very (very) hot.

There are Al and Mark digging for clams :) Mark is third generation here at Buck Bay and with Toni runs the farm. Here he is showing me a huge bucket full of fresh clams! From this bucket came my clams for the soup as well as the clams I used for dinner on the beach. Al is a great guy who really made me laugh :) He’s been helping Mark and Toni harvest shellfish for quite some time. He has lived in many different places but has settled on Orcas Island because, “It just felt right being here.”

That is a feeling I have come to know very well :)

Here is Toni and in the bottom left photo she is holding her prized possessions that I am finding very hard to live without. Farm fresh, organic hen eggs and duck eggs as well. In addition to your seafood you can pick up these beautiful eggs!! If you haven’t had the pleasure of enjoying a duck egg, Doe Bay Cafe on island does an amazing Duck Egg Poached in Olive Oil (scroll down for the picture in the link) atop Cheesy Grits for breakfast. It is to die for!!

Roasted spring garlic from the Orcas Island Farmer’s Market spread on toasted multi-grain bread and topped with cherry tomatoes. I should say not to forget your crunchy and flaky sea salt :) Those little black seeds are basil seeds. I love them. When they touch anything wet they form a membrane around themselves and they become interesting to chew on.

Baby clams :) So cute, wouldn’t you agree? Did you know it takes up to two to three years for these little babies to become full grown? Even then, it may take longer. These little babies arrive much smaller than this and they are called clam seeds. They are then buried in the muddy sand when the tide is out and the top of the clam bed is then covered with a long sheet of flexible netting. The netting helps keep all of the hungry seagulls and other wildlife away from them keeping them safe.

~ Mark securing the netting which covers the clam beds

Here a piece of wood from a harvested clam bed is being removed. The wood served its purpose as a barrier so the clams would not be able to escape by digging deep. Mark told me that once he put a handful of baby clams down on the muddy sand, walked away for a split second and when he returned, they were all gone!! Deep down in the thick muddy sand they went quickly burring themselves. “They are very, very fast Monica!” he told me as he laughed.

Become a master oyster shucker – Toni will teach you how :)

Thank you for the memories Buck Bay Shellfish Farm :) xoxo

The Inn at Ship Bay and an Evening of Culinary Delights on Orcas Island

Dinner, Great Restaurants, Orcas Island, Talented Chefs No Responses »

Jul 192012

{Chef Geddes Martin and his culinary team – Inn at Ship Bay, Orcas Island – Washington } Continue reading »

The Beauty of Turtleback Farm Inn

Airstream Kitchen, Hotels and B&B's, Lunch, Orcas Island, San Juan Islands 1 Response »

Jul 192012

Here on Orcas Island, down below Turtleback Mountain is where you will find Turtleback Farm Inn.

We felt very lucky to have been able to spend some time here as well as meeting Bill and Susan Fletcher who are the proud owners of this beautiful farm and charming Farm House and Orchard House. If peace, quiet and sweeping views are something you are after, this is the place to be.

On Island for over 20 years Bill and Susan take pride in creating an environment of complete tranquility for their lucky guests. Susan’s gourmet breakfasts are also quite amazing from her breakfast crepes to corn waffles and many savories as well.

Flipping through Susan’s cookbook I am completely inspired. She uses only the freshest local ingredients and the combinations of flavors that she develops, well, I could hardly wait to return to the Airstream to prepare some goodies. In her book the recipes are clear, concise and the pages are full of so many cooking tips and funny little anecdotes that made me smile. Deep history about Orcas Island also fills these pages and I can say that this book has a home in my handbag and I carry it everywhere.

How lucky we were to be able to be here.

“Can we go and see Chompers mommy?” B asked

On our way went to explore this magical place . . .

~ I prepared these ricotta tartines with inspiration from Susan’s cookbook

Easy peasy sweet roasted fruit:

The sweet roasted fruit was sprinkled with sugar and placed in a 400 degree oven for 1/2 an hour. Cut the rhubarb so it creates a bed for the other fruits to lay on top of. Take 2 cups of marscapone and a handful of chopped dried crystallized ginger and mix together in a separate bowl. The longer this mixture sits in the fridge, the better :) Once scooped onto the warm fruit it melts and turns this simple recipe into something amazing.

Bon appetit!

The Wonders of Yellow Island and a Wooden Sailboat Race

Airstream Kitchen, Lunch, Orcas Island, Sailing, San Juan Islands, Sweet Treats 11 Responses »

Jun 252012

“Did you know you would be spending over six hours on Yellow Island Monica?” asked Phil.

“Why yes!”

(he smiled and looked very surprised)

Who is Phil you ask?

Well, to me, he is one of the most incredible people I have ever met. Ever.

You see, Phil lives here on Yellow Island which is one of many islands here in the San Juan Islands. He lives in a cottage, by the sea, that looks like it came straight out of a fairytale. He has lived here for not one, not two – but 14 years and he helps take care of Yellow Island for the Nature Conservancy.

“It’s just the seals and I,” he tells me when I mention to him how wonderful it must be to live here.

Of course he has a boat to reach Orcas Island but just for a moment, try and imagine his life here as I take you through my day on Yellow Island.

Skipper Ward Fay of Northwest Classic Day Sailing brought me to Yellow Island so I could photograph the wooden sailboat race that had its course plotted around the island of which hubby and little B were participating in. Access here is via boat (there are no docks) or kayak.

Prior to the race, Skipper Ward took us on a beautiful cruise in the San Juan Islands aboard “Aura.” He showed us many breathtaking places and even let B take the helm. Oh the thrill B had knowing that “Aura’s” destination was completely in his little hands.

I spent my day on Yellow Island photographing the boats as they sailed by and taking in the stunning landscape of this magical island.

When my day was over and we arrived back at the Airstream I couldn’t stop thinking of all the beautiful colors of the wild flowers that surrounded me during my stay on Yellow Island. With inspiration from those colors I put together a colorful salad and baked a cherry clafoutis for dinner.

Classic Northwest Daysailing
~Skipper Ward and B

Aura
~ Aura and Skipper Ward well on their way . . .

~ Just one of many pathways to serenity you will find here on Yellow Island

Yellow Island, WA State

~beautiful wooden kayaks on the shore of Yellow Island

~ Kayakers paddling past Yellow Island

~ Phil’s Cabin

~ Fava beans from the Orcas Island farmer’s market

view of Yellow Island from the top of Turtleback Mtn, Orcas Island
~ Yellow Island as seen from the top of Turtleback Mtn., Orcas Island, WA

~ Yellow Island as seen from the water

~ Cherry Clafoutis fresh out of my Airstream oven

~Beautiful “Aura”

~ Phil waving good-bye :)

It was the perfect ending to a day that I am certain I will never forget.

Thank you Skipper Ward Fay for the incredible day! Not only did we enjoy viewing the islands through a different perspective, I was able to enjoy my day on Yellow Island.

You can find the Clafoutis recipe here and as for the salad? I used Tom Thumb lettuce that I grew in my home garden, watercress, quickly blanched fava beans, sliced red onions and grape tomatoes. The magic happens with the basil oil and a squeeze of lemon.

Basil oil is simple — just a handful of b
asil and 1/2 cup of olive oil and give it a whir in your blender. Don’t forget to add some salt and voila — you have a delicious oil you can use on anything from salads to soups or mix in with sour cream for a delicious dip.

Bon appetit!

The Outlook Inn and a Seafood Medley in the Islands

Dinner, Orcas Island, San Juan Islands 4 Responses »

Jan 062012

Could you guess how much we love the islands? Somehow we are always drawn back here. What a better place for us to ring in the New Year than to return back to peaceful Orcas Island which is the biggest of all the San Juan Islands here in Washington State. Peace, after all, is what we were after.

We mixed it up a bit this year, a few nights in our Airstream and a couple of nights at The Outlook Inn. On one of our many strolls through Eastsound, I would always remind hubby how much I would love to stay at The Outlook Inn. If the New Leaf Cafe (The Outlook Inn’s cafe) was amazing as it was, surely The Outlook Inn would be just as superb. Hubby knew that, so he and B surprised me. I was very excited!

Our room was completely charming, quiet and had the most incredible view from the balcony. A kitchenette, charming bathroom complete with jetted tub, heated floors and towel warmers. All of their personal care products come from New Zealand and contain Manuka Honey, my latest obsession. Coincidence?

Our New Years Eve Room at The Outlook Inn on Orcas Island

Upon waking the next morning and feeling very refreshed (the bed and fluffy duvet and pillows were so comfy), we took a trip to the beach where B could beachcomb and search for baby dungeness crabs (and gently set free of course) and hubby and I could enjoy a quiet and peaceful day. It was a chilly clear day with the most amazing crisp salt air. We felt so good. So refreshed!

Beachcombing on Orcas Island

Since the New Leaf Cafe is closed until February, we brought along our “Airstream Look-a-Like,” portable COBB grill to prepare our New Year’s Eve celebratory dinner. A simple feast of a seafood medley using just a few ingredients so the true flavors of the seafood would shine.

Catch and Release Crabs at Crescent Beach, Orcas Island

I knew that Kyle at Orcas Homegrown Market would have an incredible selection of seafood. Clams, oysters and endless varieties of salmon. We chose a beautiful fillet of king for our feast that evening. We picked up our seafood and headed back to the Inn. The holiday lights that adorned the shops and boutiques in town were sparkling so beautifully on this chilly night in town.

Fresh Seafood from the Orcas Island Home Grown Market

Back at The Outlook Inn, I brought all of our ingredients straight to the picnic table perched atop a grassy hill with the most peaceful view. As I began to prepare our dinner, hubby and B headed down to the seashore to explore but not before declaring “we are so hungry!” to me. No worries, this was such a quick and easy meal to prepare. We would be enjoying our meal in no time.

I could see B turning over rocks searching for his baby crabs as I went along preparing dinner . . .

Seafood Medley at the Outlook Inn, Orcas Island, WA

A seafood medley was in store for us.

Salmon fillets: with spinach, tomatoes, beans and Parmesan cheese baked “en papillote” style (fancy French term for baked in a pouch). Put your “en papillote’s,” on a hot grill, covered and cook for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, remove from your grill and set aside (they will continue cooking). You may choose to add salt, but we did not as the sauce (below) was an incredible accompaniment to the salmon.

Clams and oysters in a garlic, butter and white wine sauce: melt a stick of salted-butter in a shallow pan on your grill, add sliced garlic (to your taste) and then add your clams and drape your oysters along the edges of the pan. I used about two pounds of clams and six medium sized oysters. Cover and cook for 2 minutes — some clams will be open and some will not — add a splash of wine and continue cooking for another few minutes until clams are all open (discard the ones that don’t open). Use a butter knife to pry the oysters open (which will not be opened — stubborn they are!)

Sprinkle your clams and oysters with chopped parsley and serve with crusty bread (I forgot to buy bread — oh how heavenly it would have been to soak up all the juices).

Bon appetit :)

Bon Voyage and a Happy 2012 to you :)

Bon Voyage and a Happy 2012 to You!

The Deadliest Catch

Clamming & Crabbing, Orcas Island, San Juan Islands No Responses »

Dec 202011

The sweet taste and tender meat of the Dungeness crab when dined on no longer than a few days after being caught and steamed surpasses any seafood in the world. The Washington State Fisheries Department does an incredible job of managing our game and wildlife – our favorite being the “Deadliest Catch,” Dungeness crab.

This years crabbing season was extended until the end of December, giving J5MM the first time since we lost our 35′ Meridian yacht in 2006, to do some serious crabbing. Dock Crabbing.

Dock Crabbing on Orcas Island

Although not nearly as treacherous as our “Infinity II,” Blind Bay return to Burrows Bay fishing adventure, where an over sized male Dungeness crab clawed our wiring leading to a fiberglass inferno — winter dock crabbing can also be as dangerous as rewarding.

Infinity II Boat Fire, 2006 - Anacortes, WA

We were fortunate. This year we won — and the crabs lost.

Dungeness Crab Risotto, Infinity II Boat Fire Anacortes, WA 2006

Dungeness crab risotto garnished with flash fried sage leaves, was on the menu tonight.

Dungeness Crab Risotto garnished with Fried Sage Leaves

Crab Risotto was heavenly. Simply follow this recipe omitting the butternut squash and add your fresh crab, fried sage leaves (see super easy steps below) and add shaved Parmigiano Reggiano cheese (use a vegetable peeler for beautiful curls!). A (very) light drizzle of white truffle oil atop adds a deep earthy dimension to this dish.

Bon appetit and stay SAFE!

Flash fried sage leaves:

2 tablespoons of olive oil
10 nice size (large if you can) sage leaves

Heat the oil up in your pan, add the sage leaves and flash fry for 3 seconds each side. Remove from pan and add crunchy sea salt (we like Maldon’s sea salt for finishing — very nice crunch and big flakes).

Serve as an appetizer as is — or crumble on top of the risotto. B could not stop eating these :)

Message in a Bottle: FOUND

Orcas Island, San Juan Islands No Responses »

Dec 012011

How exciting! B received this beautiful postcard in the mail from a couple who had found his bottle. If you don’t recall the story of his message in a bottle, you can read about it here.

The letter reads:

“Dear Bradley,

How exciting for us to find your bottle and wonderful note (fabulous drawing!) on the beach on Orcas Island!! We made ourselves wait two whole days to open it – until we just died of curiosity :) Thank you for creating such a fun adventure for our Orcas Thanksgiving getaway. We were here without our children and grandchildren, so your magic, mysterious bottle gave us quite a thrill (and you have beautiful handwriting, too!). You are obviously a very special boy :)

Jeff and Mary”

Message in a Bottle: FOUND