travel : summer starts in friday harbor

every trip we plan weighs me down with worry. i can't get excited until we're on the plane or in the car, bags packed and somewhat on-time, and even then i'm sweating how we will all weather the guaranteed changes in routine. i like routine. my boy likes routine. it works for us. daily life is simple, predictable and pleasant. vacations can feel like work!

with an unusually long 10-day visit from my cousin angela (our boy's auntie lala and director / co-ep of the fabulous beekman boys), we decided to fly up to friday harbor monday through wednesday. while it was a more expensive choice to take kenmore air's seaplane instead of the anacortes ferry, the experience and time saved was well worth it. my 2 year old aspiring pilot was almost as enthralled as me. we especially loved hanging out at the bothell lakeside airport watching seaplanes come and go, and the little australian shepherd mix doggie running everything.

our good friends were already in town, and with incredible kindness, they lent us their car and babysat our boy during naps so the grownups could have some exciting adventures.
on day 1 we got an adrenaline buzz from a 2 hour tour of the gorgeous sunny island by moped. i was a little skittish starting out, and was actually passed by a bicycle while headed downhill... twice.

in the morning of day 2, we drove to a beach where our little man and one of his best friends built sand castles and ended up nekked in the frigid surf having a blast. meanwhile, angela thoroughly enjoyed her spa treatment at lavendera. nap time allowed ang and i to check out bird rock hotel's (our lovely boutique inn) retro beach cruisers to recapture childhood, riding in the summer sun to picturesque driftwood covered, rocky, jackson beach. these bikes were adorable, but rather rusted and lacking modern features - like gears and hand brakes - so we ended up walking far more than planned. (the hotel also leaves earplugs on the nightstands, and on wednesday morning we needed them. their afternoon lemonade and cookies made up for this).

dining on friday harbor was gratifying and child friendly. we had unusual mexican food at pablito's taqueria where the horchata was sweet and cold. my chorizo, kale, and garlic scape empanada and fish taco lunch faded when compared to the day's special : a potato pancake stuffed with pork and onions and topped with avocado and "nappa" cabbage.

our first night dinner was at roche harbor resort's mcmillan's where we had perfect margaritas, prime rib and side of alaska king crab (also, we loved our charming server, boo boo). we took our wound up boy to the resort's nearby playground after dinner, and felt like we were visiting the 'kellerman's' holiday camp in dirty dancing - everyone seemed know each other. tradition abounded at sunset as they played 'taps', 'god save the queen', and 'oh canada', accompanied by a canon firing. i spotted a home store at the resort next to their bocce courts that beckoned me, but sadly it was closed.

our last dinner was at duck soup inn, a quirky-cute spot that is respected as the most haute cuisine (focusing on local and organic) on san juan island. i truly enjoyed their spinach and corn soup, and my lemony shrimp linguini with summer peas, accompanied by a bright cold sauvignon blanc. and finally, do not miss the quintessential island meal on the sunny harbor side deck of downrigger's. shiny, crisp halibut and chips were spot on, as was the halibut burger and arnold palmers.

traveling with kids takes organizing, planning, careful packing, and realistic expectations. but i promise it is energy well spent. we got sun and sand and lots of memories to look back on and laugh about - especially the photo of our little man with nothing but shades and a trucker hat on that he will never live down!

get out and enjoy this amazing season. and remember, you can always buy more diapers along the way.

paulette

... what is your favorite travel tip?