Adopt the pace of nature; her secret is patience ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
I believe that the heartbeat of a community can be found in the values embodied by the locals and how well they nurture their land. Lopez Island’s heartbeat is strong, pure, vibrant.
There is a distinctive chill to the air, signaling the approach of a new season. Dusk creeps in early and brings the darkness with it. Summer is waning, and with it our time on Lopez Island. I can only imagine how lovely this island looks with her landscape splashed with reds and golds – perhaps another time.
For the past six weeks we’ve been camp hosting at Spencer Spit State Park, and an amazing six weeks it has been, from the moment we drove off the ferry. The staff here has been so welcoming, and we feel blessed to have spent time with each and every one of them. And the opportunity to co-host with our friends Laurel and Eric made this experience darn near perfect.
Lopez Island is the least hilly of the four main islands comprising the San Juans. Its high cliffs, beautiful coastline, and rolling farmland make it very popular with both kayakers and cyclists. We have enjoyed both while here.
Countless farms dot the landscape, a dream for painters and landscape photographers. The wonderful pastured meats and organic fruits and vegetables they produce for the local groceries, restaurants and farmstands on the island are incredible. There has even been a seed library created to further strengthen the local food system. These folks know a thing or two about land stewardship. With all this delicious, healthy food being lovingly raised, it is no wonder Lopez has a wonderful little farmers’ market each week.
Lopez Village, no more than a few blocks square, contains at least four farm-to-table restaurants, a phenomenal bakery, gourmet ice cream produced from their local creamery, bookstore, shops, and galleries. And this small community sports two grocery stores, both focused on organic fare.
The library, once the old red schoolhouse, carries an amazing variety of books and DVD’s. They have an online learning center and even rent out musical instruments. When being presented with my library card, I was warmly greeted with “consider this your second home”.
Lopez Island is filled with a talented array of musicians and artists, encompassing many genres. Thanks to an invite by Laurel and Eric, we sat in on a rehearsal for one local group, Super Wide Groove, whose members have become close friends of theirs. These are some seriously talented musicians. Along with the many musicians on the island, there are an equal number of artists. We were on Lopez to attend the annual Studio Tour, featuring 28 of these creative souls, and I’m sure there is much more talent out there. After what we had seen, I was beginning to wonder if anyone is allowed to live here if they are not artistically inclined…unbelievable.
Our last little adventure on Lopez was a visit to the island’s winery, Lopez Island Winery, where we enjoyed a glass of their Madeleine Angevine in a garden overflowing with flowers. This is also where we met Dante and Lisa, a lovely couple from Fort Collins, CO who had ferried over from Anacortes, then biked to the winery.
A special thanks to Z and Tom, our newfound friends we met earlier this year, who ferried over from Anacortes to join us for lunch. We look forward to seeing them again this winter.
We have been enriched by our time on Lopez, thanks to the locals and the beauty we found in nature. I see return trips in our future. 🙂
Watch the slideshow below for a tour of this magical little island.
Paint Your Landscape 
Thanks for the wonderful photos and words about Lopez Island. It was great sharing the experience with you and Terry!
And thank you for sharing it with us! You and Laurel helped make our summer very special. 🙂
Sure looks like you and Terry had a wonderful time on Lopez Island working with Eric and Laurel:) I was surprised by your header photo. I never thought about the island and farming. In my mind I was thinking it would be too small. Your slide show gave a wonderful example of all the island has to offer. Love that you got out to kayak. Someday we will ferry over to visit for a few days. Wonderful photo of you on the rocks over the water:)
I was not sure what to expect when we arrived. It is a lovely island, with some amazing folks who live their lives focused on sustainability. It was a great place to spend a summer.
Beautiful landscape. Love these photos, LuAnn. It’s on my list now. 🙂
As it should be Amy! 🙂
🙂
When I think of an island, never does farming come to mind. What a unique and totally different setting. Looks like a lovely place to settle. Our house in Ohio is next door to the biggest population of Amish/Mennonite in Ohio. We are always amazed how simply their life is….hard….but simple. We watch them plow their fields just like your header photo shows. They are very talented with basket making, soap making, etc. Their baked goods are to die for!
Your slide show is wonderful.
Thanks Marsha. I didn’t expect rolling farmland when we came to Lopez either. The island is lovely and well worth a visit. 🙂
Loved the slideshow! What a great place to spend the summer.
That it was but we have missed long hikes, which we are hopefully heading to next!
You captured the magic of Lopez so beautifully, LuAnn. Your images and words take me right back to the island. It’s a place dear to our hearts (as you know) and I’m so happy that you felt the same connection. It was a blast sharing island time with you and Terry! Happy and safe travels, until we meet again!
Thanks to you and Eric for making our summer so special, introducing us to a special community. Lopez has enriched our lives and we walk away with such great memories. Safe travels to you both. 🙂
Looks like you two had a wonderful time on Lopez.Hope to see you soon f & m
We had a great time on Lopez. We are now in Anacortes, heading your way. 🙂
A bookshop, an island and live music with farming thrown in…it sounds great to me!
It was heavenly!
You are driving me crazy with wonderful memories!
Thanks, Norm
Perhaps we should do some traveling together Norm. 🙂
What a fabulous slideshow LuAnn! i think my favorite photos is the one with the building in the background and flowers in the foreground. Although I’m a sucker for goats and sheep. 🙂
This is such a laid-back island, with wonderful folks and healthy food.
This island sounds absolutely enchanting! Thank you for taking me to this place with your beautiful words and photos!
My pleasure Lisa. It is a special place.
It looks like heaven there. Your photos are gorgeous.
Thanks Marcia. It is a sweet place!
Looks and sounds like a wonderful place to settle for a bit. Your photos are stunning and you did a fabulous job showcasing a beautiful little island and all it has to offer. Happy trails 🙂
It was a good 6 weeks Ingrid and an experience we would like to revisit. Now the mountains are calling to us before the snow begins to fall.
Beautiful LuAnn! How many islands are there in the chain? I’ve heard it is so gorgeous and would love to visit WA.
There are 4 main islands that the ferry services. I know there are several others that can be accessed by private boats and plane but I’m not certain how many.
I have to make it there someday LuAnn! Your posts have been lovely!
Thanks Nicole! The islands are beautiful and each is unique.
Great slideshow ! Enjoyed our time with you two! Only regret not knowing about the weekend ferry traffic, waited inline for 2 hours going back. Looking forward seeing you in the winter !
Oh no! Sorry you had to wait so long. Looking forward to a longer visit this winter.
Lovely slideshow! You really showed the beauty and diversity of Lopez.
Thanks Gunta! It is a lovely island.
It appears that we have to make a beeline to this beautiful island. Your descriptions and pictures have captured the essence in your own view as well as Laurels and Nina. Im sure your co hosts are making you feel at home.
I like that picture of the seagull in quite reflection, great description.
I think you and Steve would really enjoy the islands MonaLiza. And I think you have become quite the birder. 🙂