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07-26-2014, 08:01 PM
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#1
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Islander
2005 28' International CCD
Deer Harbor
, ORCAS ISLAND WA
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 981
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The Orcas Island Adventure
The journey began on July 14th as we left Elgin, Texas on a journey to the San Juan Island, Orcas in particular.
THe purpose is to check out the island real estate and all else and decide if we want to move here or some other spot…in washington; sequin, port townsned or….
Day one was a stop at Oasis state park near clovis NM, then on to lake pueblo state park, colorado…stayed two nights and then on to rock springs , wy; glynn's ferry, ID, lewiston, id and then on to spokane to visit a bud there.
then, as ominous news of the raging wildfires in central washington had us rethink our plans as we were going on US 2, and it was closed, but there was a detour that allowed us to make the route. then up to everet and then on to bellingham to await the ferry and our reservation date of july 26, to travel with airstream in tow, on the ferry--round trip fare $270.00--- to west beach rv resort on orcas island for 5 nights departing july 31.
as we were hooking up departing wenatachee….a screw jack on my hensley snapped….it's fun driving with 1/2 of your weight distribution….
getting a new one when i get to the escapees park in chimacum, wa.
we got up at 430am texas time today and left bellingham to arrive at the anacondas ferry terminal…set to sail at 6am local san juan time.
so we end day one on the island…it is beautiful….we many not leave
__________________
Kingfisher24
and the Four P's(Paula, Phoenix and Peabody II and Pearl)…Peabody is here…..
2013 GMC sierra denali
WBCCI 2541
4CU
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07-27-2014, 08:59 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2013 25' FB Flying Cloud
Longmont
, Colorado
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,105
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Sounds cool! We just got back from a trip to the Puget sound area. Since you mentioned Port Townsend, let me share a thought inspired by a couple of days in the area: Make sure you get a whiff of the paper mill before you make a decision about moving there....
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07-28-2014, 04:50 AM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2007 Interstate
Normal
, Illinois
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 18,051
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Wow, what an adventure!
Keep us posted, and send lots of pictures.
Maggie
__________________
🏡 🚐 Cherish and appreciate those you love. This moment could be your last.🌹🐚
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07-30-2014, 04:31 PM
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#4
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Islander
2005 28' International CCD
Deer Harbor
, ORCAS ISLAND WA
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 981
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Orcas in the San Juans
we have spent 5 days and 4 nights at the west side resort on orcas island. we leave in the morning for the ferry to anacondas and will wait there at the concrete parking lot known as fidalgo bay rv resort for the ferry across to port townsend---that being saturday morning, aug 2nd.
we engaged a real estate agent on the island and viewed several properties for sale…our goal, we think, is to move to the island
it is a beautiful paradise of great forests, mountains, hills, valleys and a wonderful coastline with several great bays…..4900 full time residents and overrun with tourist june thru august..
people say the winter is long darkish…grayish….wet…but it claims 267 days of sunshine with rarely a freeze of report and some snow very rarely. it is in the banana belt with very mild temps and a narrow range.
farms abound with any and all kinds of produce, fruits, berrys, milk, cheese…self sufficiency….local free range chicken, grass fed beef, natural pork…..
paradise
limping along with a broken hensley hitch---one of my screw jacks broke…thus impairing my weight distribution ability.
i have a part being sent to the skp park in chimacum, wa and will repair then…..
then on to Pacific Beach state park……….
gerinimo…….
__________________
Kingfisher24
and the Four P's(Paula, Phoenix and Peabody II and Pearl)…Peabody is here…..
2013 GMC sierra denali
WBCCI 2541
4CU
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07-30-2014, 07:02 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
2007 Interstate
Normal
, Illinois
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 18,051
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Again.....wow, you guys!
What a beautiful place, and what a difference from Texas!
Sounds like a dream come true, and I wish you all the best.
Keep us posted.
Maggie
__________________
🏡 🚐 Cherish and appreciate those you love. This moment could be your last.🌹🐚
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07-30-2014, 07:21 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
2007 25' International CCD FB
Northridge
, California
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 516
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Please narrow the search to only properties with courtesy parking potential hehe.
LilNomad
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07-30-2014, 08:50 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
Vancouver
, British Columbia
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 4,566
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Nice spot. We have only sailed there, not driven.
Is you spell checker changing Anacortes Wa to anacondas?
Jeff
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07-30-2014, 09:04 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2006 23' Safari SE
Holly Lake Ranch
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,794
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Snakes Alive!
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
__________________
Dana and Olga
2006 Safari 23
2011 Tundra Double Cab
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07-30-2014, 09:06 PM
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#9
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Islander
2005 28' International CCD
Deer Harbor
, ORCAS ISLAND WA
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 981
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picky, picky
spell checker is on the mainland i guess.
it is hard to find a property with room for one airstream…much less courtesy parking…however….usually seeing an airstream when traveling is somewhat rare…on the trip from texas to orcas we most likely saw four…..when we arrived at the island, at west side resort were….two other airstreams….brown new 2014 internationals 27FB…….
and on the island we spotted several more of various ages…….
hate to leave…but like mcarthur….we shall return
the island taxi
__________________
Kingfisher24
and the Four P's(Paula, Phoenix and Peabody II and Pearl)…Peabody is here…..
2013 GMC sierra denali
WBCCI 2541
4CU
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07-31-2014, 07:24 PM
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#10
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Islander
2005 28' International CCD
Deer Harbor
, ORCAS ISLAND WA
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 981
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into the wild blue yonder
because my hitch is impaired i have been an will be on pins and needles on each ferry i embark or disbark as the angle of loading varys with the tide and port and it can be extreme….up or down putting an extreme amount of pressure on the weakest link….the factory GM receiver…...
been there done that…
but all has been blessed …so far. leaving the island as the ferry chugs towards anacortes...
and so we sit at the fidalgo bay rv resort…right on the bay…and as we pull in we find four other airstreams….have seem more on the road this trip…and most of them either on the island or here that ever seen outside a 4CU New Years Eve rally
once again on saturday we will board the ferry for the trip to port townsend and the skp park and hopefully a part to fix my hitch.
geronimo….
__________________
Kingfisher24
and the Four P's(Paula, Phoenix and Peabody II and Pearl)…Peabody is here…..
2013 GMC sierra denali
WBCCI 2541
4CU
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07-31-2014, 07:37 PM
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#11
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Living Riveted since 2013
2016 Interstate Lounge Ext
Green Cove Springs
, Florida
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 8,201
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What a great trip, good luck with the jack screw.
We have yet to take our trailer on the ferry - we also wonder about the angle from dock to ferry and whether that might cause the back of our trailer to drag. We pull a 27FB. Anybody have ferry experience with a 28-footer?
Airstream Northwest sells a lot of trailers up here, that's for sure. Maybe it's all their fault that you saw so many up here! Portland Oregon - Seattle Washington - Boise Idaho - Airstream Dealer
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08-01-2014, 06:44 AM
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#12
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Islander
2005 28' International CCD
Deer Harbor
, ORCAS ISLAND WA
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 981
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duh…..
my trailer is a 28 ft…we'll 27.11………
and can drag in multiple places
__________________
Kingfisher24
and the Four P's(Paula, Phoenix and Peabody II and Pearl)…Peabody is here…..
2013 GMC sierra denali
WBCCI 2541
4CU
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08-01-2014, 07:17 AM
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#13
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Rivet Master
2007 Interstate
Normal
, Illinois
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 18,051
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kingfisher24
b
and so we sit at the fidalgo bay rv resort…right on the bay…and as we pull in we find four other airstreams….have seem more on the road this trip…and most of them either on the island or here that ever seen outside a 4CU New Years Eve rally
geronimo….
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This, apparently, is where they all go, when others are saying "where are all the Airstreams?".
Travel safely,
Maggie
__________________
🏡 🚐 Cherish and appreciate those you love. This moment could be your last.🌹🐚
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08-02-2014, 03:31 PM
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#14
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Islander
2005 28' International CCD
Deer Harbor
, ORCAS ISLAND WA
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 981
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hitched up again
every time i hook to my hensley….i cringe and cross all fingers and toes and eyes and hope with all my might i get it to hookup….seems like anyway…
but did this morning and made the trek to the coupeville ferry dock for connection to port townsend and the skp abode in chimacum and hopefully my hitch part…ferry boarding was at a smooth level entrance and exit…..time and tide control all things
gonna spend thru monday exploring the olympic peninsula;port angles, sequin,port ludlo, port townsend…..
so the san juan island of orcas is a memory in the rear view mirror…..of time…but the airstream can go anywhere……..
__________________
Kingfisher24
and the Four P's(Paula, Phoenix and Peabody II and Pearl)…Peabody is here…..
2013 GMC sierra denali
WBCCI 2541
4CU
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08-05-2014, 08:12 AM
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#15
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Islander
2005 28' International CCD
Deer Harbor
, ORCAS ISLAND WA
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 981
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continuing the journey
but this time it is in the wrong direction.
got my hensley part…ready to go…we've been cooling our heels at the skp abode in chimacum. we have driven the area scouting possible real estate adventures; port townsend, port ludlow, discovery bay, sequin,….but all say…have you been in the area in the winter time??????
so we are considering a return trip later…sept…oct and stay at the skp for six months…travel the area…endure the winter weather…explore the san juans…..
now…the tough part…have to go to pacific beach state park today and stay for two days…...
then a mad dash south…headed for the burning "heart o texas…ug ug ug
3800 miles so far…….12 or 15 to go…be back in tejas on the 15th of aug or so….
geronimo
__________________
Kingfisher24
and the Four P's(Paula, Phoenix and Peabody II and Pearl)…Peabody is here…..
2013 GMC sierra denali
WBCCI 2541
4CU
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08-05-2014, 08:59 AM
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#16
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Rivet Master
2007 Interstate
Normal
, Illinois
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 18,051
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Sounds like a good plan.
Being Texans, harsh winters are not something you are used to living with, but I've had two friends who lived in Seattle for years....one still does....and they don't report those winters as being intolerable.
Not compared to Central Illinois, anyway.
I always thought winters in that part of the country were fairly moderate.
So fun to have the option of looking, experiencing and choosing.
Maggie
__________________
🏡 🚐 Cherish and appreciate those you love. This moment could be your last.🌹🐚
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08-05-2014, 10:11 AM
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#17
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Rivet Master
1957 22' Caravanner
Port Hadlock
, Washington
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 864
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September, October, and even November is often quite good. If you want to see winter here, come back for January and February.
To me, the very best camping out here is the months of September & October.
Cheers,
Steve
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08-05-2014, 11:31 AM
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#18
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Rivet Master
1971 25' Tradewind
Menlo Park
, California
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,269
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The San Juans got snow twice last winter. They do get considerably less rain than Seattle, since the ridge of Vancouver Island catches the winter Pacific storms, creating a "rain shadow."
Even with "sunny" days in winter, there is considerably less daylight than in Texas due to the more northerly latitude. It's something to consider.
We have land on Lopez and spend 5-6 weeks camped here every summer. It's lovely here.
One thing we consider when we talk about moving up here permanently is the change it would make in our Airstreaming. In the 4 years we've owned our Airstream, we've generally camped somewhere for at least a weekend about once a month, with December and January reserved for repairs, maintenance and improvements. Living on an island served by ferries means that every trip to somewhere else costs several hundred dollars right off the bat, just to get truck and trailer to and from the mainland.
Many people who live in the San Juans become "snowbirds" who drive south for the winter months. Some travel around while others go to the same spot every year where they are part of a seasonal community.
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08-05-2014, 04:26 PM
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#19
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Living Riveted since 2013
2016 Interstate Lounge Ext
Green Cove Springs
, Florida
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 8,201
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Sequim is famous for being in a "blue hole" caused by rain shadows from Vancouver Island and the Olympic mountains. So it may not rain there as much as elsewhere in the area. That is likely why you see quite a bit of retirement activity there. Temperatures are also generally moderate. However, be prepared for very short days and very long nights in the dead of winter, and plenty of wind. It always seems to be windy near the Strait of Juan de Fuca, as I'm sure you noticed. Wind there is normal, not anomalous. If you're a kite flyer, you'll be very happy indeed.
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08-05-2014, 04:56 PM
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#20
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Islander
2005 28' International CCD
Deer Harbor
, ORCAS ISLAND WA
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 981
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thanks
we are hopefully doing all the right diligence and will spend time here in the "off months" to see…and have heard about and consider the longer nights/shorter days/gray/cold days for the winter months.
have thought that i might just keep airstream in anacordes cause the 270 round trip is a consideration…but would depend on the place and the island…hopefully we will, as we hope, travel the west and more after we move somewhere in the state of washington…….
we took the long way to pacific beach today…going down the westside 101 through the rain forrest and along the banks of the incredible crescent lake…..
full house here…lots of beach goers……. .
__________________
Kingfisher24
and the Four P's(Paula, Phoenix and Peabody II and Pearl)…Peabody is here…..
2013 GMC sierra denali
WBCCI 2541
4CU
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