One of the charities that we give an annual donation to is the San Juan Preservation Trust, which creates conservation easements and purchases land in the increasingly populated San Juan Islands, nestled between the United States and Canada. Recently they bought an entire Island, saving it from logging, housing developments, and commercial use. The trust will make it open to the public for limited recreation (mostly hiking and bird watching) on weekends during the summer months.
You can see it on the nautical map above. Vendovi Island. The trust had to take out a bridge loan to buy it from the family who owned it. The loan needs to be paid back within a short time, so the trust is having fund drives and events to raise money to pay off the loan. One of the events was a chartered boat trip to the island (it can only be reached by small boats, no ferries or planes).
The boat ride was about an hour, and we had around 40 nature-loving friends to talk to on the way. For a time, the girls and I sat at the bow and talked with this man who pointed out all the different birds he saw, and showed us more information about them from his bird guide.
It was an unusually beautiful day for April, mid-60's, patchy clouds, calm waters, just a light breeze.
Double Crested Cormorants, the one on top drying its wings.
Little K was excited to spot things, including harbor porpoises and seals. A was engrossed in the Judy Bloom classic, "Are You There God, it's me, Margaret," recently picked up at a thrift store. I was so happy to see her actually reading that I suppressed the urge to tell her to put the book down and enjoy the view instead. A struggles a bit with reading, so I didn't want to interrupt her.
We're getting closer! The yellow blob on the lower right is where we are headed.
Pulling in to the only dock on the island. The modular house is where the former owners would have family retreats. It will now house the Island's caretaker.
The boat we arrived on, the MV Light Keeper. In front of it is a smaller private boat that another family used to join us.
After a brief introduction to the island's history, we were split into groups based on hiking speed and ability, and set out to explore with a guide from the trust. There were a lot of sensitive vegetation areas, so we were told to step carefully at times.
Carpets of wild lillies along side the trail. Try not to step on any!
There was excellent signage at all trail crossings. The former owners used to rip through the woods on ATVs, but many of the trails have been closed off and will be encouraged to return to the wild. There are Eagle's nests and areas of rare and sensitive vegetation to be protected. Because it is an island free of deer and rabbits, some of the native plants are much taller and fuller than you'd see on other islands and the mainland. What was normally only seen as a low-growing shrub, was a waist-high bush.
As we emerge from the forest onto a rocky bluff we are greeted by a new assortment of lichens, ferns, and wildflowers.
We pause for half an hour to eat lunch, and hear more history of the island from our guide. Some snap photos, others consult lists of flora and fauna.
The Indian Paintbrush (orange) is just coming into bloom.
K and A tiptoe to their own little spot to enjoy the view. My fear of heights and falling down the steep hillside has me firmly planted back on the trail, and utilizing my zoom lens for these shots.
The girls enjoy the sandwiches, apple slices, and cheese I packed from home.
What a great place for a picnic!
Back through the lillies into the forest....
The previous owner of the Island was buried here, but he stipulated that if the Island was ever sold out of the family, his body was to be removed. He probably never envisioned a land trust purchasing the island, and was probably concerned about having a house built on top of him. Last summer he was exhumed and transfered elsewhere, but I can't imagine going anywhere more peaceful than this. The cemetary was edged in brick and generously sized, as if to hold future generations. Four dog graves are off to the side, but their bodies remain. I wonder how many Native American remains are on the island as well.
Soon it was time to leave, and we were back on the boat. Leaving the harbor, we lost a fender and had to reverse course to retrieve it. "Don't reach for it Little K!"
Fender back on board, we returned to Anacortes.
Initially the waters were still calm, but as we got closer the wind picked up.
It was a lovely day trip and a great taste of the summer to come. Vendovi Island is definitely a treasure worth protecting, and I hope the San Juan Preservation Trust is able to raise the funds they need to ensure it remains free of development.
If you would like to read more about Venovi Island or make a donation to the San Juan Preservation trust, you can read more here.