Animal Life
There are no bears on Orcas! I could not believe it. This means the Mink, deer and berries flourish. The main animal life seems to be humans which run amuck and dive in cold water when the sun even thinks of popping it's shinny little head out from fog and clouds.
Other animal life to note is there is very very little biting bug action and we believe in a week we have killed the 10 or so Mosquitos that were on the island. This among the totally absent snake population has been refreshing.
Don't miss out going on a whale watching tour and do a water mammal dance before you go! The tours are good and they respect the mammals. As for seeing large water mammals via a kayak, good luck unless you go way out toward the Georgia Strait.
Other Interesting Items
Bike Pull Outs - yep you read it correctly. The island has bike pull outs for those pedalists who are in need of a break, breather, look around or a technical. These signs and their proceeding 500 FT announcements are all over the island.
As you read in the guide books, Orcas has been noted as biker friendly, since shifting was still done via the top tube. However, there are no bike lanes, shoulder to speak of and very few bike racks to be found. Nevertheless, bikers do roll off the ferry and make it safely to the Sound of their choosing which could be as far as 18 miles.
I'm sure this is all due to those wonderful bike pull outs and preceding announcements offered by the city or when missing offered in various manners by the land owner who's land looks perfect for an impromptu pull out.
I had to ask about these signs and the actual manicured pull outs. I was gleefully informed by a local of their story. The city pushed to make biking more common and safe on the island and during this push they got funding for biking safety. Well, as anyone knows from experience keeping a budget in balance, funds are often moved around and appropriated for things they were not earmarked.
The story goes that some officials kept shaving a bit off the top from the bicycle safety funds and when it came time to make accounts for the highly important biker safety something had to be made. The programs and flyers around awareness would not account for all the funding and the community would need to see more than leaflets.
All in all what surfaced were the bike pull outs all around the island because not there was not enough money for lanes or paths. The pull outs make for a good showing but my guess is they were not placed by a biker. This island is surprisingly hilly and those who bike seem to come off island with everything including the kitchen sink tied to their steed, or try and push a beach cruiser from Spund to Sound.
As a biker these signs have brought me many a joy and interesting conversation and yes I even tried on on for size. It didn't fit and made my butt look big.
Land and Sea
There is plenty to keep you busy if you choose land or Sea while visiting Orcas. Maybe even enough that you won't get it all done during your stay.
You must go up Little Summit hike in Moran Park and visit Turtle Back Mountain ( the name comes from it's shape). Then you must join Ward of Classic Day Sailing out of Deer Harbor. I suggest an evening sail. He loves the word super and he will take you on a three hour tour on his 33 ft sailboat (home). Make sure to pack snacks and wine for the trip with enough to keep your captain happy. He is not shy and loves to indulge.
Enjoy your time, we know we did!
There are no bears on Orcas! I could not believe it. This means the Mink, deer and berries flourish. The main animal life seems to be humans which run amuck and dive in cold water when the sun even thinks of popping it's shinny little head out from fog and clouds.
Other animal life to note is there is very very little biting bug action and we believe in a week we have killed the 10 or so Mosquitos that were on the island. This among the totally absent snake population has been refreshing.
Don't miss out going on a whale watching tour and do a water mammal dance before you go! The tours are good and they respect the mammals. As for seeing large water mammals via a kayak, good luck unless you go way out toward the Georgia Strait.
Other Interesting Items
Bike Pull Outs - yep you read it correctly. The island has bike pull outs for those pedalists who are in need of a break, breather, look around or a technical. These signs and their proceeding 500 FT announcements are all over the island.
As you read in the guide books, Orcas has been noted as biker friendly, since shifting was still done via the top tube. However, there are no bike lanes, shoulder to speak of and very few bike racks to be found. Nevertheless, bikers do roll off the ferry and make it safely to the Sound of their choosing which could be as far as 18 miles.
I'm sure this is all due to those wonderful bike pull outs and preceding announcements offered by the city or when missing offered in various manners by the land owner who's land looks perfect for an impromptu pull out.
I had to ask about these signs and the actual manicured pull outs. I was gleefully informed by a local of their story. The city pushed to make biking more common and safe on the island and during this push they got funding for biking safety. Well, as anyone knows from experience keeping a budget in balance, funds are often moved around and appropriated for things they were not earmarked.
The story goes that some officials kept shaving a bit off the top from the bicycle safety funds and when it came time to make accounts for the highly important biker safety something had to be made. The programs and flyers around awareness would not account for all the funding and the community would need to see more than leaflets.
All in all what surfaced were the bike pull outs all around the island because not there was not enough money for lanes or paths. The pull outs make for a good showing but my guess is they were not placed by a biker. This island is surprisingly hilly and those who bike seem to come off island with everything including the kitchen sink tied to their steed, or try and push a beach cruiser from Spund to Sound.
As a biker these signs have brought me many a joy and interesting conversation and yes I even tried on on for size. It didn't fit and made my butt look big.
Land and Sea
There is plenty to keep you busy if you choose land or Sea while visiting Orcas. Maybe even enough that you won't get it all done during your stay.
You must go up Little Summit hike in Moran Park and visit Turtle Back Mountain ( the name comes from it's shape). Then you must join Ward of Classic Day Sailing out of Deer Harbor. I suggest an evening sail. He loves the word super and he will take you on a three hour tour on his 33 ft sailboat (home). Make sure to pack snacks and wine for the trip with enough to keep your captain happy. He is not shy and loves to indulge.
Enjoy your time, we know we did!
No comments:
Post a Comment