Greetings San Juan Islanders!

My wife and I are coming out to the islands tomorrow (1 night/day on Orca Island, 2 nights on San Juan Island).  I have read through all the forums and have plans to go see mount constitution, a kayak tour and go to whale watch park.  I'm wondering if there are any special events going on or things to do in the evening this weekend.

Thanks in Advance and I must say I am very excited to come to the island, I have heard that it is beautiful.

The Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival is going on Aug 16-29.  http://www.oicmf.org/#

This is our first year on the island but we hear it is a big deal and that tickets are hard to come by so this weekend may be a bit more crowded than usual so you will need to be in line for the ferry to the mainland quite early if you are leaving from Orcas.  Hope you have already made reservations for your rooms.

On your way up to Mt Constitution, be sure and stop at the parking area about half way up on your left.  The view from there is often nicer than the one from the top. 

Continue past the turnoff to Mt Constitution and take the Olga turn off and check out the views from the Olga dock. Continue past the Olga turn off on the same road until you get to Doe Bay. Park in their lot and walk to shore.  Very nice views.  There's even a little vegie restaurant there which isn't too bad.

Best food on the island is at Ship's Bay (on your right on the way to Moran park) but it's also about the most expensive and it might be hard to get reservations.  Worth a stop just to check out their water front setting and gardens. 

If you would like to see some very nice views that most tourists don't see, you can email me directly and I'll give you directions.  (Click on the email icon to the left.  Use subject Orcas so I'll know it's not spam.)

Ron