Lummi Island
If you have been following along the last couple of days you will know that I traveled to the Willows Inn which is located on Lummi Island in the San Juan Islands for an epicurean adventure. You can read about the inn as well as my delicious dinner in the two posts I wrote (the snacks and the meal) as well as the background on how I made the decision to go to the island in the first place.
Over the last couple of years, Mr. Misadventures and I have headed to one of the many islands in the San Juan chain. They are north of Seattle and south of Vancouver and have captivated our hearts for a while.
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One thing we have learned so far in our travels to Lopez Island, Orcas Island, and the main San Juan Island is that each island has its own personality and quirky characteristics. That is why we continue to visit different ones in our continued search to find “the one” for us.
Of all the islands we have visited thus far, Lummi Island is definitely the smallest. There are 816 people that live on the island, but not much infrastructure to support tourism (or the locals for that matter) and I think that is precisely the way the islanders want it.
There are two hotels and several homes for rent. One restaurant which at the Willows Inn which also houses the Taproot Cafe. We saw one other cafe that was under renovation, but that was it. There is no gas station (that we found) and one sparsely-shelved grocery store.
Most of the island beaches are labeled private property which is sort of a shame, but no one ran out shouting at us when we stopped to take photos. One of the unique practices on the island is the use of buoys. They are hung everywhere!
Like all the islands we have seen so far, people express themselves with fun mailboxes.
There are farms and fields and a small forest area. It is a perfect place to be one with nature. There is an incredible amount of flora and fauna in every color under the sun.
And I know this is a weed, but in macro everything is beautiful!
And while the island is beautiful and the meal at the Willows Inn is outstanding, special and worth the trip, (and additional trips for culinary delights) Lummi Island is a little too small for the Misadventures family and I have a feeling that is exactly the way the natives like it.
How about you? Have you ever visited a place that was just ‘too small?'
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So, why so many buoys and do people vacation here? Are the private homes island getaways for Hollywood stars. It sounds like a magical place. No place is too small if people leave me alone. =)
@Jen, I don’t know (or didn’t ask actually) it is just their “thing” all of the islands have one. There are a lot of fisherman, so it could be related to that. There are homes for rent, private homes and weekend homes, and a lot of retirees, the island isn’t large enough to support too many people which is part of the reason why I think there aren’t that many services.
Love hearing more about your Lummi trip!
I think those buoys are hung on fishing shacks. They do a bit of reefnet fishing in that area, so it might come from that.
I adore Lummi–it’s not too small for me, but I like the total getaway experience. I suspect with such a short ferry ride, locals are on and off island a couple times a week at least and do their shopping in Bellingham. But you’re right, it’s not really set up for tourism. I asked Seattle friends about Lummi before I went last year, the response was either “I love it,” or “There’s nothing to do there.”
For me, though, that’s sort of the point.
sounds like you enjoyed the island – though really not the right place for you. I wonder if the buoys are part of some superstition? LOve the mail boxes if i ever have one i want one that is unique.
What a beautiful, quaint island. Did you ever figure out why bouys were hanging everywhere?
FYI, Lummi Island is not actually considered to be part of the San Juan Islands. It is also governed by Whatcom County, a different county than the San Juan Islands (same as Cypress Island and Guemes Island are NOT part of the San Juans).
Have you been to Shaw Island? Shaw is actually the smallest and least populated of the ferry serviced San Juan Islands! Even less infrastructure than Lummi!
My boyfriend and his parents live there. His parents built there home there and are retired like most of the residents and my boyfriend works in Bellingham. Most islanders are big fishing and boating people. It’s a beautiful place and they dont really want it to be a tourist destination.