Category: Photos

The madrona tree is my favorite tree eva. It’s similar to a rhododendron in many ways, starting with
the shape and color of its leaves. What baffles me is that in Seattle, there are NO madronas, but if you
go north just a tinsy bit, (a one and a half hour drive to La Conner and a six hour boat ride to Roche
Harbor) you get a bunch of madronas. I wouldn’t be surprised if you’ve never seen them! I think that
they look a bit tropical in a certain light…Also, their bark is really peely. If you tear it away, it reveals
the soft and mushy bark of the tree. You have NO IDEA how many madrona trees people carve their
names into. It’s actually quite depressing.

This pic below shows some madrona trees at Buchart Gardens.Didn’t I say they looked tropical?Also,
the pic on top shows the rough bark (orange) and they soft bark (yellow). Usually there is a layer of
regular brown bark, but….that tends to be peeled away already…

Stewart Island, San Juan Islands, would also have to be one of my faves. There is a small dock, but most likely you’ll have to anchor out. Rowing into shore won’t be a problem with a good sized dinghy. While there are many things to do on this island, hiking is definitley one of them. There is a three mile walk that will take you to a school house with a set of swings to go on.

Right outside the school is a t of “souvenir” t-shirts that you purchase on the honor system. Not only is the forested walk amazing, the beach is also really fun to go on. Also, there is this really fun wooden swing on the trail leading up to the school. If you look to the right of the path, you’ll see it. It’s really fun and kinda cool to see a swing in the middle of the forest. For me, that is definitley one of the cooler parts of the trip.

Sadly, l’ve never been to see the light house on the island. I would recomend that you see it, however, because I’ve heard it’s really neat.