TRAVEL Sunday, June 21, 1992 ~ North Shore News - 39 Time stands still on Orcas Island WE SPENT the second weekend in June on Orcas Island. When I tell you about all the things that went wrong you’ll be surprised to hear that we’re anxious to return. Orcas is one place on carth that is so laid back that time doesn’t seem to matter. You can fall asleep, cold sober, at noon, sitting upright on a dining room chair. More about that later. First, commuzications went to hell in a handbasket. Well, into a lexter basket, to be exact. I was invited to Orcas by a group of businesses who would like more of us to visit. ] had a few general directions by phone but the fax that followed went to the wrong place and I didn’t get it. But we piled into the van at noon on Friday and headed for Anacortes. We stopped in Blaine for a business meeting (Brian’s business, not mine) and reached the ferry to Orcas at 3:30. It was after seven when we finally load- ed. These isn’t much to do on that ship but we played marathon crib (vans have roomy rears and lots of doors). It was 8:30 by the time the ferry arrived at Orcas. We were parked om one of the steep ramps, uphiil. You guessed! The vehicle ahead hit reverse and ploughed the front of my van ($700 damage). Fortu- nately, the driver was a solid citi- zen, the local vet, and insured. We studied my telephone in- structions and drove north towards Easisound, heading for our first night’s stay at Bartwood. After a time, we got uneasy — were we lost? We asked a farmer, ploughing his south forty. ‘‘No, jusz keep going.”” Wrong. We ended up at Doe Bay, about 12 miles out of our way. Asked again and reversed. Still lost, we went to the sherrif’s office. Closed. We nearly drove down the runway at the airport but lucked out — a sign! It got us to Bartwood. They kindly opened the closed kitchen for vs and the chef, Steve, made us some great stcak sand- wiches. We couldn’t even last through the 12 o’clock news but left our balcony door open to the ocean and fresh air and crashed. Barbara McCreadie TRAVELWISE Bartwood is under reconstruc- tion. You may remember it as Captain Cook's — a campsite, motel, general store, marina, etc. Most of it is gone. The former store will soon be a dining room and lounge. The motel has been updated but the rooms are still quite small. They have refurnished with pine and you can’t beat the slap of the waves outside your window. The lots on the property are up for sale for individuals who can pay from $45,000 to $200,000 (US). Eventually, the homes may be in a rental pool. . Next day, we moved to Smug- gier’s Villa, just down the road, and that’s where we stopped the world and got off. A cat adopted us within minutes. Swallows were nesting just above the patio door. Small planes took off and landed, quietly, across the way and that’s how Brian fell asleep, upright at noon. Total hypnosis —~ a purring cat, a fresh breeze, planes and birds taking off and tanding. At Smuggler’s we had a big condo. They are lovely, fully- equipped units and go for about $125 a night. But, four to six people could comfortably laze in oblivion. Pool and hot tub, too. Bungee jump for joy BUNGEE JUMPING comes to Playland Famity Fun Park beginn- ing Friday, June 19. Bungee jumping involves diving _from 2 high place to a predeter- mined level to experience an ex- hilarating free fall. In this case, the jumper has three options: wet (dip inte the water), touch (touch the water with your fingertips), or dry (smile at your reflection) as they plunge 125 feet to the £0- foot deep, 35’x 65” pool, specially designed for bungee jumping. Bungee Canada, the company who brought the sport to the 1991 Pacific National Exhibition, takes every precaution to make sure your jump is perfectly safe. All equipment has been safety- engineered and is monitored and tested continually, Bungee jumping will be avail- able at Playland June 19 to Sept. 7, seven days a week, from noon to 10 p.m. The jump fee is $79, plus tax (not included in All Day Ride Passport). A _ personal videotape of your jump is avail- able for $25. For more 255-5161. information call SPECIAL CRUISE VALUES! Regal Princess Alaska $1,099 us Holland America Caribbean cr w 41% orr - Crystal Harmony Transcanal 2no PERSON 1/2 price Space is limited. Call NOW for details! Over 120 locations in the worid. Bringing Quality to Life CALL 984-6122 1325 Marine Drive, N.Van, (next to Canadian Tire) North Shore Family YMCA Not that we did anything that athletic — Brian lit the fireplace, we cuddied the cat, ate deli chicken and watched the most amazing evening ‘‘bunny-hop"’ on the grass beyond our patio. Any- one who has read Watership Down (by Richard Adams) will understand how relaxing it is to watch an evening ‘‘silflay.’’ We didn’t care if we didn’t dine out — we had a very nice lunch at Christine’s Deli in Eastsound. We sat outside on the patio, talked to a fine dog and read old maga- zines. Try the chicken breast in balsamic vinegar and the eggplant salad — aboui $12 for two. The Island Piarket (new) pro- vided cat food, milk, peanut but- ter and bread. We shopped a biz — don’t miss some of the small shops at right angles to the main street — you have to poke around a bit but you'll find them. Brian () picked out and bought a dress for cur youngest daughtcr. Trust me when I tell you this isn’t the sort of thing he does. On Orcas you do funny things. After lunch we went back to the condo — obviously the cat needed feeding. The cat thought so too and was waiting for us. He scoff- ed down the milk, chicken, etc. and fell asteep on Brian’s lap. We named him Mr. Peepers because he had gentle manners and ab- surdly sinall eyes. If you happen to be there, he’s white with black patches and comes imm ediately to the sound of milk pour. He also knows which side of the bed to sleep on. The ferry lineups to and from Orcas are awful. Forget either Friday or Sunday to get over by that route. Locals told me that if you must, get the earliest or the latest. But if you're trying for the latest you may be out of luck. At one time, the Washington state ferry system would not leave passengers stranded on Orcas. That’s no longer the case. One plus — the food concession on the ferries has been changed and the offerings are quite an im- provement. Now, a tip. | would never again take a vehicle on those ferries. The wait is ridiculous and the way they park them lifts my hair. Or- cas islanders will come and get you! If you can get yourself to Point Roberts, arrange to be picked up. Call Mike at (206) 376-2242 or Scott at (206) 376-4400 and they'll get you there. Mike Bartholomew (Bactwood) is bringing in rental! cars — he’s got one now, but by june 18 plans on six. Scott is the business manager of the Orcas {sland Golf Club and he'll help you book in advance. We drove past the course and it tooks fine to me — Brian’s real game to give it a try. That is, if } can pry the cat off his lap. If you own a private plane ycu can fly over. If you like camping, Moran State Park looks wonderful. We took a tour through it, both ways on the way to becoming fost (and found). if you have a boat it’s easy to get from the White Rock-Point Roberts area (under half an hour) to marinas at either Bartwood or Smuggler’s, both obviously well- run. Before leaving Orcas, Sunday morning we detoured to the Orcas Island Pottery and another one up the same way. They’re off the road between Eastsound sad the ferry, just watch the signs (if you see them). We took another route to the ferry — and got fost again, but by this time we didn’t care if we never got home. We waited out the three-sailing delay at the Orcas Hotel, a na- tional historic site with restaurant, patio and bar. Listened to local gossip. We couldn’t believe the traffic waiting for the ferry — where were al] those peopie hiding over the weekend? It’s amazing, but Orcas seems to absorb tourists and remain rural, timeless and uncrowded. For the ambitious, there’s hik- ing, biking, fishing (either charter or on your own). There is a great guidebook, published by the San Juan Islands Tourist Cooperative, P.O. Box 65, Lopez, WA 98260, (206) 468- 3663. 18 lists everything from ac- commodation (including B&B), restaurants, activities, charters and 17 nights can. $2,630 poco: Summer Departures « 4 night Greek island Cruise . 7 nights in enchanting °3 nights in in fabled Athens 10 nights can. °18955 poiani. Outside Cabin Summer/Fall Sailings Lucia Plus 3 nights In Aruba WAIKIK( MAUL.” Combiastion 10 nights June to Dec. 15/92 From Cdn. $1038 ppldbl. 3 3 aights in Waikiki Marine Surt Hotel (full Kitchen) 7 nights in Maui Napali Shores {ocean front) And Car Rental When it comes to soaking up Seattle's surnmer fun, the Westin is our home away from home. Ourneighborzs are places like Pile Place ee Market, 4 . Westlake Centerand ihe Oy 5th Avenue Theatre. This year, The Westin’s Summer Package will even save us money on some of our favorite things todo. Ae summer living i is easy in our view room witha ws pool and sundeck only steps away. To reserve your sunmmer place at The Westin, just call their Vacation Desle at (206) 728-1009 or toll-free at 1-800-228-3000.