Jun 102014
 

Anacortes ferry landing via J5MM.com

Sometimes when life gets super busy, it helps me to sit down and take note of everything happening around me.   The last two weekends for us have been spent up on Orcas Island in the San Juan Islands of Washington State.

The purpose of our first visit was to reconnect with friends and have a party in their honor back at our camp.   I wanted everything to be perfect so I worked very hard on that trip for a couple of months prior.  The party went off without a hitch and so many wonderful things happened that weekend that I really look forward to sharing with you.

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West Beach Resort Airstream Party via J5MM.com

The following weekend, Oliver and I packed up our tent and gear and headed back to Orcas with the mission to learn more about the Farm to Cafeteria / Farm to Classroom program that the school children of Orcas are so fortunate to be a part of.  We also stopped by Gavin and Teddy’s Asher & Olive’s catering digs to have a look around.  Wait until you hear about them.  They are amazing caterers on Island!  Just LOVE them both so very much and look forward to spending more time with those two.

I was so looking forward to this trip with just Ollie and I and as it turned out, it was a very transforming trip for me.  I’ve never camped alone before and I think I managed quite well :)

Oliver and I enjoyed quiet nights, campfires and skillet dinners.  We slept under the stars and were happy as could be . . .

Camp at West Beach Resort on Orcas Island via J5MM.comSitting by the crackling fire with Ollie in my lap was one of the (many) highlights of our trip together . . .Cracklin' Camp Fire via J5MM.comThe next morning we woke up bright and early and were ready to begin exploring.

From the beaches down below  . . .

Oliver Canine Wanderlust via J5MM.com

To the top of Mt. Constitution — we explored as much as we possibly could.

Our experience together was quiet and peaceful.

Just me and my little dog.

top of Mt. Constitution on Orcas Island via J5MM.com

Also on our agenda was taking a tour of the Orcas Island elementary school garden while learning all about the (wonderful) Farm to Cafeteria and Farm to Classroom Program that is run by Madie Murray.  Madie and I have been trying to connect for a couple of years and finally this past weekend it all worked out.  I really look forward to writing about that experience :)  It was completely amazing.

Oliver and I also had the honor to meet the charming young lady Arla Sutton.  Arla was one of 54 students ages eight to 12 who won a trip to the White House in August of 2012 to attend the very first “Kids’ State Dinner” hosted by the First Lady Michelle Obama. Her recipe for salad noodle wraps won over all other entries in the entire state of Washington.

 Thank you Arla for sharing your recipe with me and taking the time to meet with Oliver and I :)

Farm to Cafeteria and Farm to Classroom Program on Orcas Island via J5MM.com

As the sun slowly started to set,  Oliver and I went back to camp and I made dinner but not before stopping off at the local bakery and picking up a beautiful round loaf of bread to take back to camp.  Our dinner that night would be skillet Ling Cod fish with lemons, grape tomatoes, chamomile flowers, a splash of avocado oil and some salt.

We cooked that over the campfire and really enjoyed the simple flavors.

Sometimes, less is more and in this case with our dinner, it was a home run.

Camp Dinner at West Beach Resort on Orcas Island via J5MM.com

I’m really looking forward to posting here on J5MM in more detail all about those adventures we’ve had so far on Orcas Island.

Next week I do something a little different than my usual travel routine.  I fly out to Montana.  I have been invited by Montana Tourism to come and experience a “Heyday on the High Plains,” — a story-gathering mission to Montana’s semi-secret prairie lands.  I’m so very excited about that but I will admit, flying is not my cup of tea so I’m a little nervous.  But like all things in life, one must conquer and carry on :)

While in Montana I’ll be active on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter if you would like to follow along.  I will be very eager to share my discoveries with you ♥

Then a few days after I return from Montana, we hitch up the Airstream and b-line it back to McCall, Idaho !!  We’ll spend some time at our favorite RV park – McCall RV Resort !! We’ll also be taking a three day trip through Hells Canyon with Hells Canyon Raft, jet skiing on Lake Payette with Cheap Thrills.  Then as we continue on into Oregon, we will be fly fishing the Deschutes River with Deschutes River Outfitters and glamping our way through Oregon back up into Washington.  I’ll be cooking every night in my Airstream sourcing local ingredients and using recipes I’ll be collecting from our guides and locals that we’ll meet along our way.

Here’s to a great start to summertime XOXO

~ Monica ♥

Airstream Party By The Sea via J5MM.com

 

  4 Responses to “So Much To Share ♥”

  1. I can’t wait to follow your next blogs! I am so interested in the Farm to Cafeteria program on Orcas and to see all of your many adventures on your next trips. I am only selfishly sad that I will miss you on our trip back to visit WA. Love you!

    • I am SAD we will miss you too!!!! I love when you comment here and I think you’ll really like to hear the details about the Farm to Cafeteria. That pretty much sealed the deal for me for wanting to move to Orcas. Those kids — they are pretty fortunate ;) !!

  2. J’aime votre blog. It’s a inspiration for us!
    Rejean

  3. J’aime votre blog. It’s a inspiration for us!

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