Visit with Doug

 15 May 2024

John's brother Doug arrived today via shuttle from SEA-TAC and is staying at Candlewood Suites in Oak Harbor. He will be here until the 20th. After bringing him to the campground and exploring places to eat, we decided on Frasers Gourmet Hideaway on Dock St. Would classify Doug as a Gourmet Foodie who appreciates the finer restaurants and over the years he has taken us to several fine restaurants. We have never been here before and glad we chose this as the service was most attentive and the food very delicious and gourmet. We will have to go again when we return next year.

They serve the freshest local Northwest ingredients, fine wines and nice beer selection. Atmosphere  is relaxing and casual. Reservations recommended. Pricey,but well worth it. The owner,Chef Scott Fraser, is a graduate of the Pierre Dubruike Culinary School. frasersgh.com

Dining at Frasers Gourmet

Thank you Doug for treating us to a unique dining experience.

We ate breakfast out each morning at Island Cafe on Thursday..ok. 2 times at The Mill At The Kasteel, a favorite, The Corner Bar & Grill in Anacortes and Ferry Ride to Friday Harbor.

On Thursday we drove to Fort Casey in Coupeville near the ferry to Port Townsend.  We just did a drive around the fort as John and I have been there at least 6 times and Doug due to a recent episode with gout was not able to do much walking.

John & Doug at Fort Casey

Posing Deer

 We then drove to  Anacortes to have lunch at Bob's Chowder Bar. They have very tasty Halibut and Crab Chowder. We go there when we come here.

Bob's Chowder House

Friday after breakfast came back to camp ground..Doug and John spent the day going over Ancestry and linking Doug to his info. Served lunch, did laundry and other chores. For dinner I fixed Shrimp Alfredo and salad.

After breakfast at Corner Bar and Grill, we drove up to Bellingham to drive Hwy 11 known as the scenic Chuckanut drive a 20 mile cliff hanging roadway that snakes along the lower flanks of the Chuckanut Mountain above Puget Sound. The drive south takes you to Burlington.

Chuckanut Signage

There are several SP's, Trailheads,vista turnouts and cafes on the drive. Since Doug and John like oysters, we stopped at the Oyster Bar,epitome of fine dining with beautiful views.I opted for crab cakes and halibut chowder .

Doug & John at Oyster Bar

Enjoying Oysters

View from Oyster Bar

On Sunday we took the ferry from Anacortes to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. It is a 90 minute ride and the waters were calm and the sky blue.Got breakfast on board. Beautiful sailing past the islands of Shaw and Lopez. The Washington State Ferry system is well run, on time and comfortable.RT for car and 2 extra passengers was $82.00.

Passing Ferry

Map of San Juan Islands

John and I in past years have also visited  Orcas and Lopez Islands. In the  90's we did a bi-plane ride on Orcas that gave us spectacular views of the Islands. 

We took the drive north to English Camp driving thru Roche Harbor and Sculpture Park. We then drove down to Lime Kiln Point Park and south to American Camp and back to Friday Harbor for lunch at Downriggers on the water near the ferry. Instead of the 645PM ferry back we were able to get on the 2PM. We were all exhausted so dropped Doug off and we came home. Really slept good tonight.

Signage British Fort

British Camp

British Fort

British Fort

Lime Kiln SP

John at Overlook

Lime Kiln Lighthouse

Rather than be redundant, you can refer to my 8 May 2014 blog about our trip to San Juan Island.

Monday we got Doug at 700AM for breakfast at Kasteel and ferry to Port Townsend. We were able to get on the 830AM ferry instead of the 1015. Purpose was to take Doug over to meet his friends Marianne and Rick who have a boat and they are taking him via boat to Port Ludlow for his trip to Seattle before returning home. They have a nice boat for their adventures. John and I then went to the ferry hoping to get earlier ferry so we were put in standby lane finally got on 2PM departure. RT trip for car and passenger around $36.While waiting for the ferry spotted two eagles on structure adjacent to ferry.

Doug at Kasteel

John & Doug

Crossing to Port Townsend

Marianne,Doug & Rick

Nice Boat

Eagles at Ferry 

It was a good visit and maybe Doug will return next year when we are back at Whidbey. Have more excursions to share...Orcas Island, O'Connor and Langley.