Orcas Island is one of the four major islands that make up the chain of the San Juan Islands, located about 120 kilometers north of Seattle, Washington. Identified by the New York Times, major travel magazines like Lonely Planet and numerous media outlets as among the most scenic places to visit in the U.S., Orcas Island offers an unparalleled Northwest experience (see www.orcasislandchamber.com/orcas-island-in-the-news for countless articles and awards about this cherished place). In addition to its scenic wonders, Orcas Island is enjoying increasing attention for its food and artistic offerings. Hiking, kayaking, whale and wildlife watching are just a few outdoor opportunities that time on Orcas offers to nature enthusiasts.

Travelers typically arrive at SeaTac International Airport and travel north on Interstate 5 to Anacortes, Washington, where they can take one of 10 scheduled ferry trips daily to Orcas Island. The Washington State Ferry Service makes trips to all of the major San Juan Islands (San Juan, Orcas, Lopez & Shaw), in addition to several that go to Victoria, British Columbia, a nearby Canadian province. Visitors can combine a trip to Seattle, a visit to Orcas Island as well as a drive to Vancouver, BC, just 3 hours north of Anacortes.

Our summer home on Orcas Island has been in our family for decades, although my husband and I only recently purchased the property from my mother and renovated the cabin several years ago. Thus, much of the interior is new, with new furnishings, paint and bedding. The cabin is located on the waterfront, facing due west toward Jones Island, so we are treated nightly to some of the most beautiful sunsets imaginable. Because of its proximity to the water, we also regularly hear the sounds of sea life--otters, eagles, salmon and occasionally Orca whales--as they emanate up from the Sound. The cabin is divided into an upstairs, with kitchen, bedroom (with queen-size bed), bathroom (with jacuzzi tub), living room, small dining area, wood stove and a large picture window with water view. Linked by a shared hallway, the downstairs is designed as an open studio apartment, complete with sleeping area (with a king-size bed), living and dining area, kitchen and bathroom (shower only). We envisioned the cabin as a place for two couples to share, each with their own private living quarters, although the upstairs also has a pull-out queen sofa as well.

Because this is not our primary home, we are open to non-simultaneous house exchanges that best fit our respective travel schedules.

For more information about Orcas Island, visit https://www.orcasislandchamber.com