This sunday inspite of the rains, we decided to go to San Juan Islands. It was drizzly when we started, but we were hit by heavy rains on the way on I-5. Ferry ride was ok, no rain there. It was a 1hr ride through the Islands, beautiful site with few small, tree covered islands. Since there was almost always land in sight, I could enjoy the ride without fear of the ferry drowning, or some whale or an unknown sea monstor catapulting the ferry, SciFi style. (yes, the ferry that was big enough to carry 100 cars.)
The orcas island was a pretty site. Its not very commercialized and felt like a small hill-station, though they do have a Safeway style Island-Market and some cute little shops. We were not expecting any veggie food around, so we had home made rotis, bread sandwich etc. Our first stop was East Sound village, a small and cute town at the edge of East Sound. Everything was cute there.
Then we started towards Mt. Constitution, the highest peak on the Island, 2000+ ft high. That is when the rain started again. By the time we reached the park extrance, it was proper raining, still we did not seem to have much choice other than driving up to the mountain and hoping agaist all logic to see something from the top. On a clear day you can see the whole set of Islands, coast of Canada and a lot more. Heavy rain followed us as we climbed the mountain through the windy roads. At one point it looked almost unsafe to drive in that rain. Anyway, we reached the peak safely. But the view was 0 from the top, just a white blanket of clouds. There is a high tower on top from which you can lookout to a amazing view (on a clear day). Rahul and I still did climb that tower, just because we were there. Then we headed back. Took a much earlier ferry than we planned. Ironically as we were heading back, all the rain stopped and by the time we were in the ferry away from the Island, we could see some sun-rays also. But ofcourse that has got nothing to do with the weather up at Mt. Constitution, it was still heavily raining there.
The orcas island was a pretty site. Its not very commercialized and felt like a small hill-station, though they do have a Safeway style Island-Market and some cute little shops. We were not expecting any veggie food around, so we had home made rotis, bread sandwich etc. Our first stop was East Sound village, a small and cute town at the edge of East Sound. Everything was cute there.
Then we started towards Mt. Constitution, the highest peak on the Island, 2000+ ft high. That is when the rain started again. By the time we reached the park extrance, it was proper raining, still we did not seem to have much choice other than driving up to the mountain and hoping agaist all logic to see something from the top. On a clear day you can see the whole set of Islands, coast of Canada and a lot more. Heavy rain followed us as we climbed the mountain through the windy roads. At one point it looked almost unsafe to drive in that rain. Anyway, we reached the peak safely. But the view was 0 from the top, just a white blanket of clouds. There is a high tower on top from which you can lookout to a amazing view (on a clear day). Rahul and I still did climb that tower, just because we were there. Then we headed back. Took a much earlier ferry than we planned. Ironically as we were heading back, all the rain stopped and by the time we were in the ferry away from the Island, we could see some sun-rays also. But ofcourse that has got nothing to do with the weather up at Mt. Constitution, it was still heavily raining there.