San Juan Islands Scouting Trip

May 2026 · San Juan Island & Lopez Island

I really love my job — especially the parts where I get to explore with a purpose.

It is my personal mission to explore (almost) every corner of Washington and in my short few years here I have just started to scratch the surface.

I had been to Orcas Island a few times before, with my love — our first camping trip (aka our second date) was on Orcas and it’s also where I proposed to him. It’s a place that is very near and dear to my heart. But I had not yet been to any of the other islands!

When a couple reached out and wasn’t quite sure where they wanted to elope, and asked me, “well, where in Washington would you elope?” I told them: the San Juan Islands. They were sold.

As I helped them plan their elopement there, I decided to plan my own adventure too: take a few days to get acquainted with San Juan and Lopez Islands.

I camped on the beach, hiked coastal cliffs, tried a few new cafes, saw some lighthouses, rode the interisland ferry, and saw tons of wildlife. I sat in a quiet cove and watched a group of seven otters fish for their breakfast then watched them scurry up the cliffside. I saw a little family of seals lounging on rocks, and stood closer to a bald eagle than I’ve ever stood. I didn’t realize how loudly they flap their wings when they take off. I hung out with a great blue heron for a while, as it skulked and fished for lunch.

Also… I am so glad I (finally) got this 70-200 lens. And I’m even more glad I got the 2x teleconverter. It’s a 400mm lens that fits in my jacket pocket. I cannot wait to take this lens to ALASKA… very very soon! Dale and I leave next week for the trip of a lifetime!