I'm pretty lucky to have an amazing archipelago to explore on my days off.  I've already written about Orcas and Lopez, but how could I overlook the island that I actually call my summer home? San Juan Island is a true gem in the Salish Sea. It's filled with hiking trails that wind along rocky shorelines and mossy forests, beaches covered in driftwood and harbors brimming with old-time charm, rolling fields of lavender and local farms that supply a vibrant farmer's market on Saturdays, and sweeping vistas of neighboring islands, the Olympic Mountains, and inter-island channels of water. I spend a good portion of my day pinching myself to ensure I'm in reality and drooling over the insane natural beauty of this place.

These photos are from a recent day-off-jaunt up Mount Grant, a beautiful preserve on San Juan Island that was just saved from development - and thank goodness! Look how beautiful this place is! Although there are hiking trails to the summit open all year long, throughout the summer they offer Sundays at the Summit and open the access road to the public. I took advantage of this and soaked in the views while saving my physical activity for my evening run. I even found some salmon berries to inhale on my way back down - they look like little raspberries and taste like little bits of heaven.

I love this island!