Lopez Island

We recently took a trip over to Lopez Island. Which is apparently goes by the nickname "Slopez". Cuz, you know, "island time". Lopez - ahem - Slopez is one of the island is the San Juan Islands group. Having visited the larger San Juan and Orcas islands, we were glad to have the opportunity to check out Lopez as well. I've heard it described as the most chill of the three main San Juans, and it's also known as the "biker island". As in bicycle island, because it's the most flat and accessible to bikers I think.

Also, on this particular weekend, the community was hosting the annual Lopez Island Sheep and Wool Festival. Fiber arts goodness combined with a beautiful island backdrop? Sold. Also, there was camping. Double sold.

We started out the day by heading straight from the ferry to the festival. There was spinning, dying, weaving, felting, knitting, crocheting, and even a sheep shearing demonstration! There were a small but quality number of booths set up and I purchased a handful of treasured hanks. I've got plans to make a simple but perfect beanie with a small hank of natural grey. Probably something "for Kevin" that I'll steal quite frequently. I also got a large hank of natural white and a muddy-yellow wee one of the same type that was dyed with mushrooms. I'm thinking something with some simple colorwork Maybe a cowl? It's Romney and very soft and pillowy. Plus it smells awesome.

From there we went exploring. We walked around the village area and of course had to stop in to the wee thrift shop. They had a surprisingly good amount of things to peruse for such a small shop. I ended up snagging a cheerful little lady bug pin for the bargain price of $0.75. Next we continued to a slightly different kind of "thrift store", the Lopez Island dump! Or more technically, the Take It or Leave It area of the Lopez Solid Waste Disposal District. It's really a magical place. People can bring their items in, nice volunteers organize them, and then anyone can come and take what they please. It's really very nice! I'd even put it a step above the Goodwill outlet. I mean, I love the outlet, but it's really a pretty disorganized dirty place. This was not that.I was reminded of the treasures that used to be pulled from the Enterprise dump where I grew up. Most memorable is a set of Fire King Jadeite that my great uncle Andy rescued for me when I was still a youngster.

Next we headed down to check out Iceberg Point. It's a really rocky point on the south end of the island with a short little walk from the parking area to the outcropping. Pictures do a much better job of describing it.

Then it was time to set up camp! I love camping. For this trip we stayed at Odlin County Park at one of the walk-in sites right along the beach. They had these cute little chalkboard signs with our names on them. I think the photo below captures the campsite well (notice the Kevin in the background making himself at home). For dinner we made kabobs and sat around the fire until well after the sun went down, as you do.

The next morning we got of fairly early (as you also do) and got the coffee going right away. For breakfast it was eggs in frames and Heinz vegetarian beans. My favorite! There's really nothing that beats an egg in a frame. A second pot of coffee was made, some knitting was done, and then it was sadly time to pack up. Before lining up for the ferry home we quickly swung by Hummel Lake (sooo many mosquitos) and Spencer Spit. We decided that if we ever get back to Lopez (hopefully) we'll try camping at Spencer's Spit. The bother there is that you're not able to make advance reservations, but it seemed like a really lovely spot.