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San Juan Salute – April 2022


Written by Jack Riley

Another month has come and gone.  Is it just me or did April fly by?  This past month was a mix of emotions here on San Juan Island, as it is always an exciting time with anticipation of a busy summer, yet there was also sadness and the loss of iconic buildings and businesses in town.

Early in the morning of April 7th I planned to catch the 5:55 AM ferry to Anacortes and as I pulled into town (Friday Harbor) the sky was pitch black but I couldn’t help but see some haze in the air.  “Fog?” I thought.  To my dismay it was not fog, but smoke.  As I motored towards the ferry parking lot I saw the flames, parked my car, and pulled out my camera.  At the time, the flames were concentrated within our local Windermere office and there were multiple fire department members hosing it down from the front and back.  It was shocking to see.  Surreal and hard to believe it was real.  At this point the ferry had to load and off I went, but unfortunately it would not get better before it got worse.  The fire spread to adjacent buildings and destroyed a much-loved local coffee shop, kayak outfitter guide, and an iconic town bar Herb’s Tavern.  This is a tragic event and the loss of these businesses will be felt for a long time in our Island community.  Thankfully no one was hurt through it all and our hardworking fire crews were able to contain the blaze from spreading even further.

Fires like this do not happen often on the island but there is something that occurs with more regularity on this 4th month of the year: the real arrival of spring!  Flowers are in bloom everywhere you look from wild roadside growth to curated gardens.  Speaking of gardens, the Roche Harbor gardens are looking amazing, thank to our hardworking grounds team.  They have been doing lots of planting and getting the resort ready for summer.  Expect to see lots more colorful plants in bloom this May.

Though a majority of our guests stay during the traditional summer months, the resort celebrated multiple major operational milestones at the end of April, signaling that summer is practically here.  First, the Madrona B&G opened up on April 28th, followed by the opening of the pool and first Colors Ceremony of the year on the 29th.

If you happen to find yourself on San Juan Island in the month of April, I highly suggest taking some time to check out the wildlife out and about during this time of the year.  It is a great time to observe wintering bird species that have not yet gone north, as well as migrants passing through on their journeys, and of course there are some species that stay here all year round.

A common sight (and sound) around the resort are hummingbirds.  Though they are small, they sure are quick.  Catch a glimpse of one in good light and you might just get a colorful flash of their iridescent shimmering feathers.  A number of other colorful birds can be found in various habitats around the island such as Caspian terns in False Bay, yellow-rumped warblers in marshland, and house finches practically everywhere.

The small birds are beautiful when seen, but sometimes it’s much easier to spot the larger creatures.  This last month I was overjoyed to find a great horned owl – a very elusive nocturnal predator – as well as see that a pair of ospreys had rebuilt a nest at the classic nesting spot in English Camp Historical Park.  One tree in particular had been their spot of choice and in years past the park ranger will have a scope on it for visitors to view.  Unfortunately, the nest was destroyed by winds in 2020 but it has since been rebuilt.

That about sums it up for our April 2022 edition of the San Juan Salute.  For all those that will be coming to San Juan in coming months, we are eagerly awaiting your arrival and offering up all that this wonderful place has to offer.  If you don’t have plans to come up, maybe we can change that!  May is a great time to be on the Island and there is generally more availability and less crowds than the coming summer months.  Enjoy and stay safe!

Cheers,
Jack

San Juan Salute – March 2022


Welcome back and thank you for checking out our second installment of our reinvigorated blog’s monthly recap.  We’ve been brainstorming a creative and fitting name for this piece and have settled on the title of San Juan Salute.  “San Juan,” as this will be a monthly feature for goings-on all around San Juan Island, and “Salute” for the unique ties that Roche Harbor has to the idea behind the word.  Those familiar with the resort and its history know well the Colors Ceremony, a nightly tradition of lowering the flags at the end of the day, capped off by a salute from a miniature cannon.   The BOOM has echoed the harbor throughout summers since 1958 and is sure to catch unsuspecting guests by surprise.  While the Colors Ceremony will once again be resuming for the summer within a month, we’d like to take this time to look back on experiences from March.

Before diving deep, it’s appropriate to share with you that this post is authored by a member of our staff, Jack Riley, and is reflective of his experiences on the island.  In fact, it seems to make sense to write in a first-person narrative here which is how I will be communicating going forward.  I, Jack, have been the photographer, videographer, and go-to person for content creation at Roche Harbor for almost 5 years.  It brings me great pleasure to present this amazing resort and location to the world and without further ado, let’s get into the March Salute.

March has always been a somewhat unpredictable time here on San Juan Island.  Whereas February typically brings a welcome spurt of sunshine, we never really know what to expect come March.  Some years the sun continues and it feels like summer has arrived early, and other years we are inundated with precipitation and wind.  This year was a bit of both, and we’re better off for it. Those who visited Roche Harbor over the winter may have noticed that the gardens, typically lush with foliage, were instead bare and void of grass.  Fear no more, as the hard-working grounds team worked tirelessly in early March to lay down fresh sod and now have the gardens in tip-top shape, ready to show off and be enjoyed this summer for weddings; picknicks; and my personal favorite, children playing hide and seek.

Not only is the grass better than ever before, but there are also a multitude of bright yellow daffodils showing off within the hedges, adding that special touch to the iconic Hotel De Haro shot.  Watching them bloom over the past few weeks has been a delight and we can only look forward to more colorful flowers springing to life soon.

Speaking of new life, this is the time of the year when many migratory birds are in the midst of their travels and we’re lucky to have a wide variety of avian visitors to San Juan Island.  Whether only passing through for a day or two, to nesting and staying until the fall, birds of all shapes and sizes find reasons to come to San Juan Island.  For those with a keen eye and readiness to observe, birdwatching can be a fulfilling and rewarding pastime on the island.

In my free time I partake in the hobby of wildlife photography, as there is always something to see or an encounter to be had here on San Juan Island.  There is an abundance of birds, and also a number of land and marine mammals (some very elusive and rare), as well as insects, and of course the vast biodiversity within the intertidal and subtidal zones of the Salish Sea.  In addition to animals, the plant life of San Juan Island also deserves appreciation. With so many different ecosystems packed into such a “small” area, it’s a never-ending joy to explore the different areas of the island and see what might be found.

If you are visiting the Island and have access to a boat, the opportunities at your feet have just exponentially multiplied, as the “outer-islands” – islands not served by the Washington State Ferry system – are a relatively unknown gem amongst travelers.  Simply being on the water, taking in the variety of scenery from jagged rocks and high cliffs to meadowed islands with nesting eagles and sea lion colonies, the views are hard to beat.  Just be sure to plan ahead and study your charts.  A few islands are state parks and are open with public access but the majority of outer islands in the San Juans are private.

Boating to Roche Harbor is one of the premier nautical experiences in the Pacific Northwest.  The historic chapel and Hotel De Haro shine bright for all to see and act as a guide when the sun falls over the horizon.  The marina team at Roche, led by Harbormaster Kevin Carlton, is second to none and always does an amazing job of welcoming boaters safely and with the highest quality of guest services.

Once in harbor (or in any accommodation on land), I encourage everyone to experience an evening of fine dining at McMillin’s Dining Room, the waterside dinner restaurant at Roche Harbor.  It so happens that Executive Chef Bill Shaw recently released a new menu for the spring and it has some delicious new dishes.  My personal favorites are the thick-cut bacon (who doesn’t love breakfast for dinner?) as well as the scallops and seafood pasta.  Cap it all off with crème brulee and you have yourself a full stomach and an evening of great memories.

Whilst in any part of the resort, you may notice a change that has been welcome to many: no more masks required.  As of early March, facemasks are no longer required to be worn indoors, though we have the utmost respect for those that still wish to don protective coverings of any sort.  Though it’s nothing to be celebrated, this March marks two years since the start of the pandemic and it feels as if we are returning to “normal,” or whatever life used to be back in 2019.  It has been a trying few years and we want to thank all that have supported Roche through the tough times and helped us stay safe and open.  We’re emerging unified and excited for what the coming summer will bring and what we can offer to all that visit.  We are looking forward to welcoming guests both old and new and are ready for an awesome summer season to come.  Though it may only be the beginning of spring, one can already feel the excitement and anticipation of the amazing months to come in the air.  Bring it on!

Roche Harbor Recap – February 2022


Greetings from Roche Harbor!  It gives us great pleasure to announce that we are reviving our blog.  We aim to bring unique and personal content to you from our slice of paradise, San Juan Island, WA.  A cornerstone facet of our reinvigorated blog is to present a monthly recap, featuring a variety of images from the goings-on all around the island.  Even if you can’t be with us, we hope to keep you connected through this outlet.

When most people think of winter in the Pacific Northwest, the image of cloudy skies is the first thing to come to mind.  While that may be true to an extent, February typically provides a break from the typical grey atmosphere, instead replaced by a welcome abundance of sunshine.  Though the local ski resorts may not be thrilled about the lack of precipitation, you won’t find anyone around here complaining, especially as the sun goes down.

As part of our plans to get the resort in tip-top shape for the upcoming summer, we have re-seeded the lawn in our Rose Garden.  Though there is lots of exposed soil right now, the recent sunshine has got us off to a great start towards lush blankets of green come springtime.

The entire core of the resort comes alive as the sun goes down.  There are an abundance of lights that come on to show the way through the night, and the crossover period of dusk provides a beautiful atmosphere to take in the scenic setting.  Simply strolling the historic cobblestone “yellow brick road” that spans from the Hotel De Haro to the Company Store on the wharf pier is enough to get anyone’s inner juices flowing.  Can you say “wanderlust”?

Speaking of sunshine,  it’s a great opportunity to get out and about to explore the winter offerings of San Juan Island.  Lucky for us, there’s lots to do and see right in our backyard.  When you live on an island, it can be confusing what is really the “backyard,” but we like to think of it as the vast expanse of water known as the Salish Sea.  A gateway to many wonderful experiences, this liquid highway of adventure has many destinations.  It’s up to its travelers where to let it take them.  Even if you are not one of our many guests that visit by boat, simply launching kayaks at our boat launch is a great way to get on the water on a budget.

If staying on land is more your cup of tea, fear not.  There are many enjoyable activities for those that want to keep solid ground underneath.  A passion of many islanders is viewing the local wildlife, of which there is an abundance of biodiversity.  The winter months bring a variety of migrants from northern regions including sea lions, owls, hawks, and humpback whales.  There are also numerous species that call San Juan Island home all year round such as our iconic red foxes and bald eagles

No matter what is is that you’re after, if it’s a relaxing stay at the resort, adventurous cruise on the water, or chasing after scenic sunsets, there’s something waiting for you here and this time of the year is great to seize the opportunity.

For those willing to give it a shot, taking advantage of the mid-winter sunshine is a rewarding experience.  We invite you to join us this “off-season” if you have not already.  It’s a calm, low-key atmosphere around the resort and the perfect way to take in the island environment without any of the summer crowds.

Wildlife, scenery, sunsets.  It’s all here.  Are you ready to see for yourself?

Spring Dining at McMillin’s Dining Room


Our chefs are back at it!

Spring is here and with it comes a welcome expanded dining experience at our fine dining restaurant, McMillin’s Dining Room. Many of the menu items were originally introduced this past fall, but due to mandated closures the restaurant was only able to serve their new dishes for a matter of days. Recently emerging on the other side of the shutdown and rearing to go, our chefs were kind enough to cook up a few of their delicious appetizer dishes for us to share. Enjoy this taste (no pun intended) of what is waiting for you at McMillin’s this spring.

First we have the famous Crab Stuffed Scallops. Four Pacific scallops on the half shell; stuffed with Dungeness crab, artichoke aioli, and au gratin. Served fresh out of the oven, these are a must-try for any diner party.

Crab Stuffed Scallops

Crab stuffed scallops are a tough one to beat, but if you prefer something that can be shared by a little more party members we have the scrumptious Crab & Artichoke Dip. This time in dip-form, our culinary technicians combine crab, parmesan, and artichoke hearts to yield a sizzling hot substance that pairs perfectly with the accompanying warm bread. The bread itself would be a great starter but going above and beyond is more our style at McMillin’s Dining Room.

Crab & Artichoke Dip

Last but definitely not least is the new Wild Mushroom Flat Bread. A combination of local and wild mushroom sauté, warm Naan bread, herbed goat cheese, micro greens, pine nuts, and truffle oil will melt in your mouth and leaving you wanting another piece. No need to worry, it comes split into 6 slices and is a healthy meal serving size in and of itself.

Wild Mushroom Flat Bread

If these appetizers look like something you could get behind, we invite you to join us for an evening of fine dining on the water’s edge at McMillin’s Dining Room. Hours of operations are daily from 4pm to 9pm. The full menu is available HERE as well as reservations HERE. McMillin’s is also reachable by phone at 360.378.5757

March Operations Update


After many chilly months it’s finally starting to feel like spring. More sunshine sure is nice

We put together the following video with updates from staff across the resort to keep you informed with what is going on at the resort and also a few exciting upcoming dates for reopening as we enter phase 3 operations in a little over a week.

Fried Chicken at the Lime Kiln Café


If you have ever been to the Lime Kiln Cafe, you know how delicious the dishes this local gem serves up are. With changes to our F&B operations due to statewide safety restrictions on indoor dining, we have moved all dining service to the Lime Kiln, including our beloved evening pizza & fried chicken program.

Available daily from 4 to 8 pm, the fried chicken is mouthwateringly delicious. It all starts with chicken breasts & thighs seasoned with our herb spice blend and brined overnight.

Every meal is made to order. Once the ticket comes to the kitchen our chefs dip the chicken in buttermilk and roll it in seasoned flour, adding to the overall flavor profile of the crunchy exterior.

Next, the chicken is fried until perfectly golden brown. Just wait for the crunchy exterior to come out!

Every fried chicken dinner box comes with sides of coleslaw, red jacket mashed potatoes with gravy, and a warm dinner roll. Other side options are available as well including sweet corn, BBQ beans with bacon, and green beans.

As safety is our highest concern, we implemented an online ordering platform for a completely contact-free ordering process. Orders can be placed HERE. If you would prefer to give the café a call, it can be reached at 360.378.9892 during normal business hours (4-8 pm).

The full dinner menu, also including the delicious LKC pizza, is available HERE as well. We hope to be able to serve you with this amazing menu put together by Chef Shaw. Thank you to all those that have supported us so far; we are immeasurably grateful for your support.

Exotic Deer of Spieden Island


Not far from Roche Harbor is a unique island that is home to some very unique animals. Spieden Island, a narrow island nearly 3 miles wide, is just north of San Juan Island and has quite the storied history.

Though currently a private island with no public access, the island had an era as an exotic game hunting ground in the 1970’s and 80’s. A variety of species including birds and land mammals were brought in for the sporting pleasure of visitors. The islands tenure as a hunting ground came to an end, but not for it’s extant 4 legged residents: mouflon sheep from Corsica, fallow deer from Europe, and Sika deer from Japan.

Sheep & deer graze on a sunny fall day.

It is quite an experience to see these animals up close. All you need is a boat. In the summer our local wildlife tour partner, San Juan Outfitters, offers boat and kayak tours and often pass near the island, allowing guests an up-close view.

The island itself is quite the geological anomaly, stretching east to west with the south-facing side barren and north side covered in a dense forest. The animals come out to graze the angled meadows of the south side.

Female Mouflon sheep

The three species are very different from the common game of San Juan Island: the black-tailed deer. Far and away the most common are fallow deer. The males grow a beautiful set of webbed antlers every fall and look similar to reindeer.

Almost as common but maybe even more breathtaking are the mouflon sheep. As opposed to deer which shed their antlers annually, these creatures have horns and they are not shed. You can generally tell the elder males by the length of their horns.

 

Last but not least are the elusive Sika deer. The smallest of the three game species to call Spieden Island home, these furry animals are dark brown and vastly outnumbered by the mouflon sheep and fallow deer so congrats if you see some!

A male sika deer with its mini antlers

The animals spend their entire lives on this island and have become quite accustomed to exploring all it’s nooks and crannies, including navigating the steep cliffs for a chance to munch on some bull kelp that washed up.

Yummm… kelp

If you get the chance, we highly recommend a visit along the shore of Spieden Island. Besides the four-legged residents, there are a number of other species you are likely to see including harbor seals, Steller sea lions (winter only), eagles, and a variety of seabirds and ducks.

Bald eagles search for fish in the nearby waters
A group of harlequin ducks buzzes by

Be sure to respect the wildlife and stay a safe distance away to not disturb them. The animals of Spieden are easily startled by fast-moving vessels as well as those that get too close to shore.

Not a bad life

Fall in Roche Harbor


Fall on San Juan Island means lots of beautiful autumn colors. For those that were worried about traveling in the midst of the summer tourism season in Washington, the fall is a great time for an island excursion before the dark days of winter arrive.

Roche Harbor core in fall
A beautiful day in Roche Harbor

Around the resort there are many trees which sport red leaves for the month of October. Sure makes for a colorful entryway.

Red trees at resort entrance
The colors of fall are in full-swing

Crisp mornings occasionally come with a blanket of fog, burning off before too long to reveal a lush and calming landscape.

We’ve had the pleasure of experiencing many falls here on San Juan Island and they are all amazing. Have a look at a few of our favorite photos from this most recent one!