As promised, a look at our time in Friday Harbor...

I promised our daughter that I'd post some photos to show her what life in Friday Harbor is like on a day-to-day basis.  There will be a lot of images before this post is done.  All are welcome to check it out.

A bit about Friday Harbor: it is the only incorporated town in the San Juan Islands, so also the county seat.  There are about 2,200 year 'round residents.  Located on San Juan Island, the only way here is by boat, ferry, or airplane.  There is regular ferry service via Anacortes (on the mainland, Fidalgo Island specificially); you can drive on or walk on.  The ferries are large, and bring visitors, service people and goods; semi-trucks, RVs, cars, motorcycles, etc, etc.  Air service to the island is by Kenmore Air, a seaplane fleet based out of Seattle; most of their planes are 10 passenger.

There is no major industry on the island (used to be limestone mining and processing) other than tourism.  The inner part of the island has some agriculture, including lavender farms.

OK, let's get into a typical day for us.  Here's a look at our neighborhood...

No transient berths here, it is called W Dock (the docks are named by letter).  I have not been able to substantiate that the W stands for weird.  ;-)  We have met quite a few of our neighbors, as there is a friendly liveaboard neighborhood on this dock.

We walk to work; it is about 2 to 3 blocks... if we had "blocks."  So it is a walk on the docks from one side of the marina to the other.  Leaving our boat...

Out onto one of the main docks...

Take a left and head towards the largest pier...

You'll notice ramps as you head towards land.  There is a sizable tide swing here, and the ramps get steeper as the tide goes out, less sloped as the tide comes in.  Once on the main pier, another sloped walk uphill...

This pier is large enough for vehicle traffic that is authorized: port vehicles, garbage trucks, delivery and service vehicles.

At the head of that pier, it's another left through a park area...

The statue is of Popeye the one-eyed seal, who is frequently seen around the marina.  On the other side of the sidewalk is this totem pole...

You are walking right by the water here.  Another path leads around the back side of our office (there is a marine services place that we walk by)...

And that leads you to our office...

There is a pretty blonde in there that I'm trying to get friendly with...

And other friendly staff there...

This is the Blonde on the left, one of our naturalists, Jenny, in the middle, and our boss (and the owner) on the right.

After you get checked in with the friendly staff, you are escorted to the boats.  This is our bigger boat, the Sea Lion...

And the boat I drive most frequently, the Kittiwake...

Yes, that flybridge (the part on top) is where I drive.  The view is great; the ride... well, it depends on the sea conditions and weather.  I am pretty exposed up there.  This boat is much more maneuverable than the Sea Lion, even though it doesn't have thrusters (the device that pushes a boat sideways).  That white area you see in front of the boat is one of the Washington State Ferries.  Yes, it really is that close... it makes for some interesting arrivals or departures... actually, it is best to wait outside or at the dock until the MAJOR swirling from the thrusters on the ferry subsides.

And a look at both boats as the Sea Lion departs...

We were two people short of needing the Kittiwake today, so I got the afternoon off.  Thus, the reason I am able to get this photo essay for you.

And that brings us to a walk around town.  Uphill from our office (everything is uphill from the harbor, as you will see)...

Towards the round about...

And your first real view of the town of Friday Harbor...

The first several blocks of town is uphill.  You don't have to worry that we are wasting away, there are plenty of food options here.  Most important: the ice cream shop (just across from our office)...

Our favorite meal: pizza!  There are several options for pizza in town; this one is close and reasonably affordable...

Yes, Kung Fu Pizza - it is also the China Pearl (Chinese food) restaurant.  And man does not live by pizza alone...

The town is very dog friendly.  Izzy, of course, isn't.  She stays in the boat most of the time and seems quite happy with that.

Walking up the street, it is apparent that this is a small town.  Parking is a real issue here.  Even though our office is right next to the ferry landing, people who bring their cars on the ferry may have to park 7 or 8 blocks away to find an "8 hour" space (most downtown parking is 2 hours max)...

A decent breakfast place...

A movie theater (2 screens)...

Herb's, our go-to place for a hamburger (only $8.95)...

When the ferry comes in, the sidewalks look like this...

When the ferry leaves, it looks more like this...

One of the two grocery stores in town...

Interestingly, the other grocery store is owned by the same people and is further uptown.  You have to know it is there, because there is no sign.  I was told that's "the locals' store."  We usually go to the one pictured because we can walk to it.

And take a look back down the street...

Obviously, the ferry is the main way on/off the island.  It seems that many people bring a car over (plan to spend $60 +/- and an additional $12 for passengers), but if you are only going to spend the day in Friday Harbor, a car isn't really necessary.  We only use our truck to explore other parts of the island; or make the occasional run to the other grocery store if the close one doesn't have something.

So, back to the ferry.  The entrance to the ferry landing is a block off the main drag...

Moving along the side street...

The ferry parking attendents...

The parking lanes...

They put you in a specific lane, depending on your destination.  There is an inter-island ferry that goes to 3 other islands, as well as the ferry that takes you to the mainland.  It is important that you have your car in line at least an hour before the departure time.  Some people will put their car in line, then go get coffee, a snack, or check out the nearby shops...

If you see this view of the ferry, you have missed the boat...

And that takes us back to the marina/harbor.  There are boats of every size here.  Ours is on the smaller side, but there are boats half the size and boats 4 times the size...

One of the commercial whale watch operators uses a boat the same size as Wild Blue...

The recurring theme when you leave the boat: ramps and stairs - it is uphill any way you decide to go...

A panoramic view of the marina as we head for home...

And, the last ramp as we make our way back to the boat...

A couple maps...

Whew!  I think that qualifies as the longest post I've ever made.  One of these days, we'll get out and about and show you some of the homes, countryside, and views from the water.