Orcas Is. For a day trip

 … and what a day trip!

 Having the luxury of being able to leave our tents, etc all here on San Juan Is, we were able to get away by 7am with only a couple of cups of tea each to get us the 5 miles back to Friday Harbour. Got there at 7.45 in good time for the 8.30 ferry to Orcas Is. Had our traditional expressos and salmon and cheese bagels and enjoyed the glorious trip up the Sound to the south end of Orcas Is. The idea was to explore what campsites might be available for the next couple of nights were we to come back. Answer yes as we found out later in the day, at Moran State Park, and we booked in for Sun and Mon nights.

Rode the 6 miles from the Orcas Is ferry terminal to East Sound where we “refueled” before tackling the 2,500 ft Mt Constitution. A good steady climb , not a Mont Ventoux but a pretty significant one - for us anyway. 

Then a rush to get the 4.30 ferry back to Friday Harbor on San Juan Is and made it with 5 mins to spare . 

The let 5 miles back to campsite was OK, and back at tents by 6.30 . The usual dried food packet dinners and asleep by 9.30. 50 miles in all.

We’ll decamp tomorrow and head back to Orcas Is and Moran State Park.

Pics all in wrong order as usual and sorry, no captions. The rescue drill on the ferry back added a bit of excitement. And Mary sipping beer ( smuggled on board ) from a coffee cup was another highlight!