Seattle and the San Juan Islands from Helicopter

I spent this past Thanksgiving visiting friends in the state of Washington and was especially happy to go on a helicopter tour of the San Juan Islands.  Located in the Pacific off of the northwest corner of the United States, this archipelago comprises more than 700 pristine islands, many of which are only visible at low tide.  Originally, the San Juan Islands were part of a mountain range that was greatly altered and compressed into the sea by huge glaciers during the Ice Age.  Today, the islands vary from flat land to small mountains, with plunging deep channels beneath the sea.

A popular tourist destination, the San Juan Islands are home to many species of wildlife.  You’ll find porpoises, seals, sea lions, and whales, including the orca, or killer whale.  And all sorts of furry animals live there such as otters, rabbits, foxes, and deer.  The archipelago is home to many different kinds of birds and migratory birds often stop there to rest.  I couldn’t believe my eyes when we flew over a field of thousands and thousands of snow geese.  From the helicopter, it looked as though someone had planted a crop of white fluff!  I would very much like to return to the San Juan Islands only next time, it will be in warm weather and in a kayak for a more up close and in depth exploration.      

View of Seattle From Helicopter

Lake Washington waterfront – wonderful views, boat docks, lovely lifestyle

Timber and lumber is BIG business, here is a logging facility

A giant Native American gambling casino

Kevin on right bench seat, the earphones allow communication with other travelers over the noise.

A “Field of White” – I thought at first It was a crop – But indeed it is a resting place for snow geese

Huge tulip farms north of Seattle adjacent to Puget Sound – Barley is grown here too

A large oil refinery – giant tanks hold a lot of oil

A massive oil tanker – to load and unload at the refinery

First glimpse of the San Juan Islands

734 islands make up this archipelago – many are unseen at high tide

Wes, Martha, and Charles in front of the twin-engine helicopter – a great way to sightsee!

The first building one comes to on the short walk from the grass airfield to town. It looks like a school house.

Directional sign to Roche Harbor

Rental units at a summer colony on the outskirts of Roche Harbor

Towering trees line the paved road to town

The Church in Roche Harbor

The town square is paved with hand made bricks – stamped with many different names

Here I am in the town square - the overcast day was actually perfect for sightseeing at this time of year

Two limestone pillars in the center of town

The local eatery – Kevin had fried oysters, I had leek & potato soup, after the holiday feasting, Charles and Wes only felt like sipping coffee

A colony of sea lions basking on a rock. These giant sea creatures are just some of the great mammals seen here in the archipelago

The coastline of the islands are often cluttered with lost cut timber – which has escaped while being boated from forest to lumber yard

Here is a photo of the lock system in Seattle - it's path from the Puget Sound to Lake Washington is substantially higher in elevation

Two stadiums, side by side - one for football - the other for baseball - both have retractable roofs

All of Seattle is surrounded by cloverleaves and complex highway systems - sometimes very confusing to navigate

Comments

[Mrs. Hamidah from Malaysia]

Hi Martha,
I could see that you had a very interesting trip there... If you come to South East Asia, I would like to invite you to come to our beautiful peaceful islands in Malaysia such as Langkawi, Tioman Island and a lot more in Sabah... I'm sure you would experience a special moments here in our country...because you're most welcome Martha!

Loves,
Hamidah

[Pam From CA]

Daer Martha,
I am forwarding this note I received from a young fan, she has a kind of injury such as the late Chris Reeve and she is bed ridden at age 30 she has been this way for about four years now. She wanted me to get this note to you so I am sending it through from myspace and your blog comments section in hopes it reaches you. I know you have received thousands of emails here is one more.

Dear Pam,

I am not sure where to write to Martha Stewart but I am hoping you can forward my thoughts to her for me.
I was so sorry to read about the passing of her Mother may God show them the way to a restful heart. Please tell Martha that my thoughts and prayers are with her and I hope she knows her Mom is at peace now and with God. I know this I just do.
I wish for Martha a peaceful mourning process for herloss of her Mother. I know God watches over us in the good times and the bad. Please tell her I am thinking of her even though she doesn't know me.

May God bless you both.
Love to you.

Joanna Wicke
Bloomfield Hills, MI.
Jhwhorse@aol.com

[Sheila from Kirkland WA]

Hi Martha,
Just wanted to let you and all of the readers know that actually only the Mariners baseball stadium (Safeco Field) has a retractable roof! Oh, how some of us Northwesterner's wished that Qwest Field had the same type of roof since we're kind of known for having wet winters here!

[Haley Whaley]

There are a lot of hidden places in Washington, it would take a lifetime to discover them all. I would recommend Port Townsend or Port Angeles. You would probably love Molbaks in Woodinville, too. Glad you liked it there.

[Leanne Wheatman]

Hi Martha,Just loved your phots of my neck of the woods ..in fact my son works at that refinery. Please come back for tulip time in the Skagit Valley and Christiansens Nursery near LaConner has a wonderful old english garden...Cisco is a frequent guest speaker. Please join us.

[rebekah kaminski]

Dear Martha,
I just saw your segment on Beechers Cheese in the market. I am so glad you discovered one of our Seattle treasures. It is a favorite for employee lunches at the restaurant I work at. I enjoyed meeting you when you came in and hope you will come back again soon.
Rebekah Kaminski

[Isle Dance]

I just have to say: YAY! :o)

[Darla]

I am a former Seattle-ite who moved to L.A. 12 years ago & am anxiously awaiting my return. Although, it has changed quite a bit (not happy about most of those changes) it is such a beautiful place to live with the most friendly people anywhere. Thank you for these great pictures! I look forward to your warm weather pics which will showcase how beautiful it is in the summer. One question: Who is TCARR? That name is repeated on almost every brick in the picture!
Darla

[Darla]

One more suggestion: YOU REALLY SHOULD VISIT ORCAS ISLAND & Rosario Resort on your Spring or Summer trip. It is a beautiful place that I started sailing to with my dad when I was a teen & went back to for Valentines Day as an adult. It is romantic anytime of year & so beautiful with an amazing brunch! Stay in one of their cabins on the water & experience deer that are a few feet from you & incredible lightening storms in the winter while you snuggle up next to the fireplace or in your own hot tub with the best view! You are almost guaranteed to see the magnificent Orca on the way there & that in itself is worth the trip.
Darla

[Nichole]

Glad you had a good time in Washington! I live a little south of Seattle but I have been up to the San Juans kayaking and hiking. It truly is beautiful. Next time you're up I recommend a whale watching tour on kayak.

[Wes]

That is very interesting to see all of those aerial photographs of places I have only seen from the car. Glad you enjoyed the islands!

Shameless self promotion:
live web cams of the San Juan Islands:
http://www.desticam.com/