Day 11 - Anacortes to Friday Harbor and North San Juan Loop - Ferry Good Times: Cycling the Salish Sea

June 8, 2025

Day 11 - Anacortes to Friday Harbor and North San Juan Loop

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It’s my turn to drive today, but it’s kind of a cheat because all I have to do is drive the truck onto the ferry from Anacortes to Friday Harbor and then to our hotel, the Discovery Inn, where I will meet the others and ride a 26-mile loop around the North end of the San Juan Island. This is the first time all 4 of us get to ride together.

We’re up early and on the road by 9 AM in order to be in line for the 10:30 ferry. This ferry-riding business takes a tremendous amount of time. It’s hard to believe there are people who actually commute by ferry on a regular basis. Anyway, I’m about 10th in line at the dock and have time to enjoy some knitting and take a few pictures of the bay while I’m waiting.

The ride itself goes quickly, the ferry sliding between the islands to reach San Juan Island, the farthest from Anacortes.

Ready to get on the road. It’s going to be a hot one today!

View of Ship Harbor from the Anacortes ferry terminal.

Gen, on the ferry with Mt. Baker in the background.

After what seems like an interminable amount of time, I’m finally allowed to drive off the ferry and inch my way through town to get to the hotel. Unsurprisingly, Gen, Jim, and Rich have gotten here before me. They are chatting with the hotel owners/managers, making arrangements to leave the truck here, and getting other details while I get ready to ride. And then we’re off!

The island is as I remember it — hilly, with huge stretches of gorgeous farmland and ranches. It’s a lovely day, though very warm, in the low 80s. Too hot for everyone but me; but then, I’m a lizard who loves to bask in the sun. The road undulates up and down. Our e-bikes take the pain out of climbing and make the downhills more fun, as they are heavier than our touring bikes, solid and handle well.

We take an unplanned steep downhill detour to see English Camp. Rich and I visited the park in September of 2020 and convinced Gen and Jim that it was worth the time — and it was.

Historical sign explaining the English Camp’s origin in the parking lot.

View of one of the barracks from the officer’s quarters building (now the visitor center).

Inside the visitor center at English Camp.

Our next stop — this one planned — is at Roche Harbor for lunch. We’re all pretty hungry by this point and opt to pick up something quick in the little grocery store on the boardwalk. Later, we think we would probably have enjoyed the food more from the Lime Kiln cafe just around the corner from the store, but hindsight is always the best sight.

We hang out here for a while and refresh our water bottles. Gen and Rich and I go over to look at the old lime kilns, and then can’t find Jim, who has disappeared. Turns out he is waiting for us at the end of the parking lot.

View of Roche Harbor Inn (I think) and restaurant.

Jim, waiting for us stragglers at the end of the parking lot.

Our 10-mile ride back to the hotel is a bit of an adventure through a semi-private gravel road that connects us back to the main road. Then, I see a fox crossing a large field to my left. Soon, it pops out in the road and runs right in front of me for a moment before dashing back into the brush. I catch part of it on video and will include it in today’s compilation.

Finally, we’re back at the hotel, hot, tired, and satisfied. Our rooms are quite comfortable and have a lot of little nice touches — extra coffee, ear plugs, slippers, a shoe rack, hooks for coats, and such. All tastefully done.

After showers and a brief rest, we head downtown in the truck to Downriggers restaurant, which is right on the water on Front St. Rich and I both have the crab risotto, which is insanely expensive to my way of thinking, but unique and excellent. I eat too much, though, and end up feeling uncomfortably full. Guess I’ll have to ride harder tomorrow to make up for all the extra calories!

Tomorrow we’re planning to ride a loop on the south side of the island. The weather should be slightly cooler.

Jim and Genny’s room at our hotel. Ours looks the same, only in reverse, but I didn’t get a picture before we spread all our stuff out.

Dinner at Downriggers restaurant. The food and ambience were excellent, and pricey.

Today’s video

Today's ride: 26 miles (42 km)
Total: 239 miles (385 km)

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