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Tag: San Juan Islands

Classic WA photos: View from Mt. Constitution

Classic WA photos: View from Mt. Constitution

(Photo courtesy of Washington State Digital Archives) The San Juan Islands’ most breathtaking (literally if you ride your bike or hike to get there) vantage point is atop Mount Constitution on Orcas Island. Once you reach its summit after entering Moran State Park, you’re treated (weather permitting, of course) to a stunning 360-degree view that includes Mount Baker and Mount Rainier, plus Vancouver and Victoria, B.C. On the summit stands a stone observation tower built by the Civilian Conservation Corps…

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From Your Corner of Washington: San Juan Islands

From Your Corner of Washington: San Juan Islands

(Photos courtesy of Benjamin Helle) Catch a short and scenic ferry ride from Anacortes and you’re on your way to any of the many beautiful San Juan Islands. Surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and covered by tall evergreens, San Juan, Lopez, Orcas and Shaw islands offer endless and unique adventures for the island-goer. Visiting any one of these islands anytime of the year is recommended, but a visit during fall showcases the many seasonal festivals happening in this unique part…

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Archives treasure #1: 1862 Pig War letter

Archives treasure #1: 1862 Pig War letter

(Image courtesy of Washington State Archives) The State Archives has no lack of interesting documents related to American wars. Thankfully, that means that even some of our nation’s forgotten conflicts are represented. September’s first Archives treasure is from the Pig War of 1859, a confrontation between the United States and the British Empire over the boundary between the U.S. and what was then British North America.  Both nations claimed possession of the San Juan Islands and tension was intensified after…

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From Your Corner of Washington: Poppies on Friday Harbor

From Your Corner of Washington: Poppies on Friday Harbor

  Friday Harbor, San Juan Island Photo by Stephanie Horn This snapshot was taken while Secretary Reed visited the San Juan Historical Museum this past week on one of his many county visits.  Wild flowers of all types, including these gorgeous poppies, surrounded the museum. We invite you to e-mail your photos and stories to us as part of an ongoing feature called “From Your Corner of Washington” – we want to gather images of landscapes, homes, views, and personal narratives from…

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San Juans beckon

San Juans beckon

Secretary of State Sam Reed continues his farewell-and-thank-you tour of Washington — and his latest destination was the visually stunning San Juan Islands.  He flew in a friend’s small plane to Friday Harbor — perfect weather, mountains and sea and islands all around. Reed was breakfast speaker for the Friday Harbor Rotary, with a message of “civility, moderation and bipartisanship” drawing a standing ovation.  Later, San Juan County Auditor Milene Henley introduced Reed to her staff and gave Reed a…

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