When I think about San Juan Island, I think about the beautiful protected marina of Roche Harbor.
Why?
They've enjoyed good word of mouth and for reason.
When I arrived to the resort, which started in 1886, I wasn't expecting to find an entire village steeped in tradition and innovation but the Hotel de Haro, general store, wharf, private church (used for non-denominational weddings), warehouse, and sunken garden sat in twilight, creating a halo around simpler days when entertainment meant books, boats, and family ga therings and modern days meant I could connect to a wireless world.
Tradition.
In a fast moving world, tradition is a luxury and something that many of us would like to enjoy more. Tradition sets Roche Harbor resort apart from others.
I love hearing stories about visionaries and Roche Harbor began as the vision of John McMillan, who recognized that the largest lime deposits in the Northwest lay at Roche Harbor. He founded one of the largest lime plants in America called Roche Harbor Lime and Cement Company in 1887.
Upon learning this, I recalled other Pacific Northwest attractions were built with cement manufacturing money like Butchart Gardens in Victoria, British Columbia.
McMillan built a village around his factory to ensure he met the needs of his family and workers. This included building the Hotel de Haro for customers to stay when negotiating the purchase of lime.
President Theodore Roosevelt visited McMillin in 1906 and stayed in Room 2A; now the Presidential Suite. The hotel's register bears the President's signature on display in the hotel lobby.
Since then many famous people have stayed at Roche Harbor, including John Wayne and others whose names will remain anonymous.
I was fortunate to stay in a McMillin Suite, which was one of four suites overlooking Roche Harbor.
Originally, this was the McMillin family home and I felt its history between its walls, wood furniture, and old fashioned bathtub. And the view was magnificent. (Top photo I took from the balcony.)
When staying at Roche Harbor, you quickly learn that traditions include a "Colors Ceremony" during the summer at sunset, which is a nightly flag lowering ceremony with canon gun-fire and pomp and circumstance, symbolizing peace between the British, Americans and Canadians, organ music played for 5-10 minutes three times a day, (beginning at 9 a.m.), and artisans selling their wares near the general store.
Roche Harbor is expanding to include a few hundred homes built to minimize impact on the sensitive ecosystem. Developers have adopted Low Impact Development (LID) principles.
As a tourist at the resort, I enjoyed knowing that environmental stewardship was a cornerstone to every detail impacting my stay. Laundry and rooms were cleaned with non-toxic, all-natural cleaners, and shampoos and conditioners were Natural Earth products 100% vegetable based.
I ate at the Madrona Bar and Grill, one of three restaurants on the premises. The veggie burger was really good and the view even better.
The Afterglow Spa was on the premises, but I didn't make time for relaxing because I preferred local adventures, starting with nearby kayaking and also on the premises--Susie's Mopeds, which sported mopeds and scootcars.
More about my first kayaking adventure with Crystal Seas Kayaking at Snug Harbor here.
I do believe kayaking is a must when visiting San Juan Island! (weather permitting)
If you'd like more information about Roche Harbor, click here.
Getting to San Juan Island:
San Juan Island is located 90 miles north of Seattle and accessible by the Washington State Ferry (awesome beautiful ride!) in Anacortes, WA and Sidney, B.C.
I came from Victoria, B.C., catching the ferry in Sidney.
Direct flights are available from Seattle, Bellingham, and Anacortes.
Roche Harbor sponsored my stay for one night.
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