New Year's Day Adventure: Orcas Island with the Weiss Family

This year I celebrated New Year's Eve at work. I woke up New Year's Day with a phone call from my friend Allison Weiss. Allison and I have known each other since junior high band. Over the years I've become friends with her family-- two great parents and ten other siblings. By the time I moved to Portland, OR, the Weiss' had moved to Vancouver and we continued our friendship.

The Weiss' were in Seattle for a family wedding and took time to have a reunion on Orcas Island. They invited me to come join them. Although Alllison and I have kept in touch by phone and facebook over the years, I hadn't seen her or her family since I moved to Prague -- nearly seven years ago.

I've been meaning to explore the San Juans since I moved to Bellingham.  But one thing leads to another and I hadn't done it yet. So a quick trip to the Islands was a great way to start off 2012! 

I hopped in my car and drove about an hour to the Anacortes Ferry. I parked my car and walked on. Round trip for a walk-on passenger is $12.05. I'm not sure what the extra five cents is for...but it's way cheaper than the $40 for a car. By the time I got to the ferry it was dark.

Here I am on the ferry, excited for some fresh air and a new adventure!

My camera doesn't really capture the subtleties of the various shades of dark. So this is pretty much the best I can do to show you what the San Juans look like at night. 

The entire Weiss family wasn't there. But still, with Ma and Pa Weiss, eight of their children, a daughter-in-law and five grand kids, their friend Kim and myself -- there were 20 people in the house! Just a tad more crowded than my apartment where I live with me, myself, and I.

The following day we drove around the island and went to the top of Mt Constitution, the highest peak in the San Juans. We made it just before it started to rain. It was very cold and windy!

This is a view of Lummi Island, Bellingham and the Cascade Mountains.

If you look closely you can see I am pointing out my house.

Here I am with Jennifer, Christine and Kim.

The Weiss Family Choir in action!

Christine, Allison, Jennifer, Cyndy and Deborah.

William, Mark, Jonathon, and Joseph.

Thank you Weiss Family! It was great to see you again!