New Years 2012
To finish 2012 with a bang we went with Christina and Joe to Roasario’s on Orcas Island for New Years Eve.
The sign at the entrance to the Rosario Resort on Olga Road, Orcas Island, Washington
This year the usual dinner and dance did not seem to appeal to Susan and so I looked for something else that would please her and bring in the New Year in a proper manner. I decided on Rosario’s Resort on Orcas Island in the San Juan Islands of Washington State. I asked Joe and Christina to join us, which they did. We left on the 30th of December and came back on the 2nd of January 2013. We had a great time. Have a look!
The Trip to Orcas Island
Orcas is in the San Juan Islands in the State of Washington. From Vancouver you travel down I5 to Burlington, wet on Highway 20 to Anacortes and then catch the San Juan Islands ferry. About an hour and a half all told. The ferry trip itself is about the same, an hour and a half because there are a couple of stops at other islands.
Our Suite
This was really nice. We had two bedrooms, a living room, big kitchen and a great view! I had made a reservation for a nice suite but this exceeded our expectations.
The resort is built around a very large mansion, built as a private home by Robert Moran, an American industrialist, over 100 years ago. He built ships in Seattle and at one point was mayor of that city. He built this home as a holiday getaway.
The resort is on 40 forested acres of waterfront property. Suites have been created in outlying buildings that occupy the slopes above the water. Most have balconies with wonderful views.
“Orcas Island …. a wonderful place in which to forget one’s troubles and worries and get back to nature in her happiest moods … a delightful place in which to regain health – physical, mental and spiritual.”
Robert Moran – 1932
We Hike Mount Constitution
Mount Constitution is the highest point in the San Juan Islands. At 2,409 feet it is not all that high but the views it offers of the Sound and the San Juans all the way up into Canada are magnificent. It was named by Charles Wilkes during a survey expedition around 1840 after the famed war ship the USS Constitution.
This is Cascade Lake on the way to Mount Constitution from Rosario’s.
Susan and Christina beside Cascade Lake.
Mount Constitution is in Moran State Park. The park is heavily forested with numerous hiking trails through it and a long winding road up to the summit. We walked up the road. The air was chilly and there was snow on the ground but the road was generally in good shape.
New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Eve they had a special dinner in the main lodge. It was a seafood buffet and it was very special indeed! The seafood was great.
