Sunday, June 29, 2008

Orcas Island: Complete heaven....

... complete and total heaven. I never want to leave.... It is warm here and there are otters in the bay, I can smell my campfire, my bed is deliciously surrounded by fuzzy Europeans, with cute accents, who love to travel (we are sleeping in bunk rooms!). It is going to take a hell of a lot to get me to make me leave this gorgeous place and visit Vancouver on Monday...

Climbed Mt Constitution this afternoon, talk about a killer hike. Walking up is painful and getting down is even more difficult... great views though, you actually hike above the cloud-line... so when you look out, it is all islands, cloud fluff, sun.. People often ask me about what is your "favorite city" in the US or where is the "most beautiful place you have ever traveled" - As of today, I can honestly say that Orcas Island IS the "most beautiful place" that I have ever visited in the US. They grow the majority of their own food, right here on the island. Everything is natural.... even the gas stations sell organic foods, kombucha, veggies.... So many canoes and kyacks... the waitresses are dreadlocked hippies, with  melting smiles that can make you dizzy.... So many trees here, the air is so fresh, it is like I never knew air until I traveled to this place.... When I die - Heaven will be this island.... I am sure of it.

Vancouver tomorrow (maybe?)... Doubtful

12 comments:

vikingman said...

Congratulations!

That sounds better, well done!
Lucky You!
Glad You managed to find back to a source of joy so quickly.

There is often sun after some rain.
Hope You slept well among those fury guys!

How does car park, otters and campfire go together? in a city?

Keep going Your way, (there is nothing else to do).

Thanks for sharing all this.

PD said...

Good to see that Doe Bay turned out the way you had it in your head. :)

American Citizen said...

ah, the Happy Place.

London Andrews said...

Doe Bay is a little resort on Orcas Island. An Island in the Sound off the cost of Washington - it is really low budget. They have hostel rooms for about $35 a night, and lots of little cabins that you can rent..... There are clothing optional soaking tubs which overlook the ocean and all the little otter families in the bay.... there are no real cities on the island, just little fishing towns and cute bed and breakfasts to curl up in.... It was great driving onto the ferry to get here... the sun was just setting - it was beautiful..

Went hiking with a few kids from Scotland this morning... made it about four miles around the Sound and had to turn around.... we might rent of Kyacks after lunch. Guess, James was saying that the Salmon are running right now, and the water is just full of fun things to look at....

Stewie.... sorry to hear that you hit a deer with your car! The photos look horrible. I am happy you are ok, though....

vikingman said...

Thanks for creating a round-off picture of Doe Bay in my imagination, sounds lovely!
Very good description, 100 points to You!

aaron said...

You had me at "otters."

PD said...

All of the shots you added are amazing! The shot above the cloud-line looks a little mystical. I like knowing I have gravity helping me down after a hike. You sound like you are ready for work. Good Luck in Vancouver.

SamVox said...

London, I am a big fan of yours...and enjoyed reading your blog and alaskan thoughts. I'd love to book you if you're ever in Cleveland.

Here is the blog I post on if you ever want to leave a note for a group of fans that love your work.

www.clevelandsportstorture.blogspot.com

Dubbayoo said...

I lived in Alaska when I was 5. This totally makes me want to go back.

BuckMountain said...

Glad you liked Orcas. Your blog got picked up on desticam.com when you mentioned the magic island. (We are retiring there next year so we refer to it among ourselves as the promised land.)

If you ever need a quick island fix www.desticam.com and www.islandcam.com both have live webcams on the major islands.

London Andrews said...

Well will you look at that... : ) My blog is on that website: http://desticam.com/rss-orcas_news_blog_orcas_island.shtml

How fun! : )
You know, to tell you the truth, I am not a big fan of Island-living.... But Orcas is so friggin gorgeous, I could spend the rest of my life out there and be totally fine. That last night I was there, I hung out with all these great people from all over the world. And there was this campfire with an Mbira, and everyone was just singing and oh.... that place is just magical and it attracts people that are just as magical.... I hope you have a great time living out there (ha, I might come visit you sometime...!)

Anonymous said...

very good !