Another slice of GA nirvana! - Aviation Bucket List 

It’s hard to narrow down what is great about the San Juan Islands.  There’s a ton of fun eateries, the scenery is stunning, there’s a small community feel despite being geographically close to cities like Seattle.  Not having roads to many of the islands makes it feel far away.  The ferry system is an event in itself, and really worth doing at least once for the experience.  General Aviation is at the very heart of many things ‘San Juan Islands’ — you have to put flying there on your aviation bucket list.  

Our last foray to the islands included scoping out a few aviation gems along the way, some were just from the air, but we walked around Friday Harbor (KFHR) and Eastsound (KORS), on Orcas Island.

On the way, Diamond Point was also seen as we transitioned over the Strait of Juan de Fuca.  It’s definitely somewhere we would like go check out at some point, with homes lining both sides of the runway.  As a bonus, it would be a quick dash over to KPWT and the Spruce Goose for pie, see our Fort Worden blog for a write up on that!  https://wingsnwre.com/blog/fort-worden-and-the-jefferson-county-quest-for-pie

KFHR, Friday Harbors airport, is a friendly place.  Transient parking is easy with a quick taxi to the northeast corner of the field.  Single engine GA is $20 for overnight tie downs. Make sure to bring your own ropes!  About 3 or 4 blocks and you’re into town where there is a host of places to stay, eat, and see!  The asphalt runway at KFHR is 3,402 feet by 75.  A pro tip for those motivated to check it out:  It’s not terribly well documented but the circuit of taxiways to the transient parking is a one way square.  Northbound on the east side of the field!  They do allow camping, and there is a small building with a bathroom.  The field is fenced and gated!  There’s a Co-op right to the north of the field that offers some pretty great inflight snack options!  

We flew over several islands on the trip to check out options around the area, including Shaw Island (7WAS), which has a few listings a short walk from the 1900 foot grass strip there.  We also saw Roche Harbor (WA09), and Blakely Island (38WA).  

About 10 minutes (if that) to the northeast by single engine GA of KFHR is KORS.  It also has a north south asphalt runway, which is 2901x80.  Transient parking is on the east side of the field, and tie downs for the night are $20 as well.  They also are open to camping and there’s a ton of space to do so.  Watch the winds, there is somewhat close terrain and it can get a little choppy short final!  The ramp isn’t fenced or gated, but we felt pretty comfortable keeping a plane there simply because the aviation community is active and alert.  We got to meet Chip Long, the airport manager, and he was absolutely great.  He actually gave Elizabeth a ride up to the hangar home we toured!  

Once you tie down, there’s a wooded path off the main roads that will guide you into town.  If you’re not new to our blogs you might know that we find it hard to not rave about a crazy good meal and there’s not a chance in heck that we would miss talking for a moment about Brown Bear Baking.  Here’s a challenge… if you’ve been and you’ve had a better pastry or quiche anywhere, we would love to know about it, because we are convinced their Buttermilk Currant Scone or their Chocolate Croissant or their Veggie Quiche… or….ok fine you get the idea, but we’re convinced they are the best. If you love breakfast and haven’t been to Brown Bear Baking, it deserves to be on your list.  Check their hours, they can vary, and they do fly off to train on baking techniques on occasion…yeah, they take it that seriously!  Here are the bears: https://www.brownbearbaking.com/

If the pictures of the croissants have you wondering how the heck you could live within a 15-20 minute walk to Brown Bear Baking, as we did, here’s an answer… 44 Piper Place, Orcas Island, WA 98245.  The home is currently listed with Marty Zier and Deborah Hansen with Compass.  The home has a 40 foot wide hangar that would accommodate many airplanes.  The entrance to the hangar is made easier by a winch set up to assist pulling your machine up.  We enjoyed our tour of the home and thank the listing agents and the seller for the showing.