Friday Harbor ferry offers amazing scenery

By CARY ORDWAY

There are those who are quite certain the San Juan Islands were created just to be a paradise for boaters, but the good news for the rest of us is that we can hop a Washington State Ferry and enjoy the same amazing scenery as the yachting class. And, while fares aren't really cheap, they're a lot less than maintaining your own boat.

A popular destination in the islands is San Juan Island, one of three main inhabited islands in the group, although there are many more islands - some even with people - that would be considered part of the San Juans. San Juan Island is the most diverse of the main islands with its beaches and rocky shores as well as miles of pasturelands, some lakes and even forests.

If you don't have your atlas handy, the San Juan Islands are in Northwest Washington, midway between Seattle and Vancouver B.C. and a few miles to the west of the busy Interstate 5 corridor. The jumping off place for a San Juan Island adventure is Anacortes, just a couple of hours from Seattle and home to the ferry terminal where you find a regular schedule of boats going to and from the three main San Juan Islands: San Juan, Orcas and Lopez.

Arriving at the ferry terminal, cars are directed into neat lines where the occupants will spend anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours waiting for their ferry to load. Good planning is key - ferry schedules are available online and you'll be able to minimize the wait. But don't cut it too close; it's good to check with the Washington State Ferries about what might be a reasonable time to arrive and not miss your boat. A small gift store and restaurant are located at the ferry terminal, so your ferry line wait is a good opportunity to have a snack or meal, whether you buy food there or bring your own.

Keep in mind you don't necessarily have to take your car to the islands. If you're going to Friday Harbor, for example, you can walk on the ferry with your overnight bag and find that most accommodations are within walking distance of the Friday Harbor ferry landing. Walk-ons have the advantage of big savings on their ticket price, and they also can show up at the terminal just before the ferry departs with no waiting in line.

Once on board your ferry, you'll again have the opportunity to snack or have something hot or cold to drink. Most ferry passengers get out of their cars and go to one of the upper decks to enjoy the view. The ferries are big and spacious and there is always seating available, although sometimes you won't be able to sit right next to a window. Many passengers enjoy visiting one of the outdoor decks, which are perfect for getting dramatic pictures of the incredibly beautiful islands as you pass by.

On our recent trip to Friday Harbor - the biggest town on San Juan - it was just about an hour ferry ride from Anacortes. Arrival at Friday Harbor feels like you've just taken a ferry to a New England fishing village - the town's historic architecture, a fleet of fishing boats, the island's thick forests and rocky shoreline, the sounds of the seagulls -- all combine to bombard the senses. If it's atmosphere you are looking for, you are sure to