We don't normally do "reviews," as in critiques of restaurants or campgrounds. We have our "Favorites" page because when we find a place we loved we like to share that with others who travel, but in general critiques are not our writing style. However, we just spent a wonderful night at a B & B inn on San Juan Island and when we enjoy a place this much we want to share more than just a one-paragraph blurb.
Perhaps you recall that I mentioned my parents were coming to the Seattle area to visit. Well, as soon as they got here we tossed them the keys to the Bob T and a box of Pop-Tarts, and hollered back over our shoulders, "Joel knows how to dump the black tank. See 'ya!" and we split town. No, not really. We left them with a frozen pizza too.
Seriously, Mom and Dad got several days of Pacific Northwest sight-seeing in before we all met up at Deception Pass where they stayed with the kids for the night while we got a little twentieth anniversary getaway on San Juan Island. Kevin loves trip planning and I love being surprised about where we are headed so he planned a nice night at the Trumpeter Inn just outside of Friday Harbor. We have never EVER stayed at a lousy B & B, but this one was a stand-out. Shawn (the innkeeper) runs the Trumpeter Inn like a luxury hotel but with a personal and homey feel. We were greeted by Golden, one of her capable assistants, who took us on a brief tour and made sure we had all that we needed to feel comfortable. The inn and grounds and our room did feel just like home except that I didn't flush the toilet with a foot pedal and the whole building did not jolt whenever someone sneezed.
Also there were no chihuahuas barking next door.
Seriously, Mom and Dad got several days of Pacific Northwest sight-seeing in before we all met up at Deception Pass where they stayed with the kids for the night while we got a little twentieth anniversary getaway on San Juan Island. Kevin loves trip planning and I love being surprised about where we are headed so he planned a nice night at the Trumpeter Inn just outside of Friday Harbor. We have never EVER stayed at a lousy B & B, but this one was a stand-out. Shawn (the innkeeper) runs the Trumpeter Inn like a luxury hotel but with a personal and homey feel. We were greeted by Golden, one of her capable assistants, who took us on a brief tour and made sure we had all that we needed to feel comfortable. The inn and grounds and our room did feel just like home except that I didn't flush the toilet with a foot pedal and the whole building did not jolt whenever someone sneezed.
Also there were no chihuahuas barking next door.
Another thing Shawn offered that we don't have at home is freshly baked cookies. Peanut butter, chocolate chip, molasses...I have never had a better molasses cookie. I would have eaten four more but we were headed out for dinner. Also, there were a few other guests and we felt we should probably leave the six of them at least two cookies to share. There was a nice selection of teas and hot chocolates and the most lovely balcony outside our room on which to enjoy them.
Want to go on a picnic? Alpaca lunch! There is a closet filled with picnic supplies available to guests and the surrounding area is certainly full of places to enjoy one. But I wasn't kidding (rimshot) about the alpacas. There are a few goats on the property as well. They're all friendly, although they don't care for petting much. We went out into the field to visit with them and kept a respectful distance. No one spit on us but one female had to communicate her reticence to a male in no uncertain terms and we were almost in her line of fire. They don't spit so much as hock serious green loogies. A minimum safe distance of eight feet is recommended.
In the morning we enjoyed hot coffee on our balcony and watched kingfishers swoop down on the pond for their breakfast. Then we were served ours in the dining room: yogurt parfaits, sausage and chocolate-chip waffles with raspberries. It was all delicious and served up in warm, friendly style (see why I don't do reviews? 'warm, friendly style'.....go to a great inn and this is the best descriptive phrase I can come up with, crikey).
Unfortunately we only had one night at the Trumpeter Inn, but we highly recommend it as a home base for a trip to San Juan Island. It is located a mere five minutes outside of Friday Harbor (where the ferry from Anacortes docks) and is convenient to other local attractions. We visited the Pelindaba Lavender Farm just ten minutes from the inn and also Lime Kiln State Park a little further up the road. This is a popular spot for watching the orcas and a great view for sunset. If you are feeling energetic you can rent bicycles or scooters in town and enjoy the backroads at a slower pace.
I leave you with a few other photos of our stay on San Juan. Stay tuned, because we just went whale watching today and Kevin and Joel came up with a killer selection of bad puns for our next blog post.
-Jenni
Unfortunately we only had one night at the Trumpeter Inn, but we highly recommend it as a home base for a trip to San Juan Island. It is located a mere five minutes outside of Friday Harbor (where the ferry from Anacortes docks) and is convenient to other local attractions. We visited the Pelindaba Lavender Farm just ten minutes from the inn and also Lime Kiln State Park a little further up the road. This is a popular spot for watching the orcas and a great view for sunset. If you are feeling energetic you can rent bicycles or scooters in town and enjoy the backroads at a slower pace.
I leave you with a few other photos of our stay on San Juan. Stay tuned, because we just went whale watching today and Kevin and Joel came up with a killer selection of bad puns for our next blog post.
-Jenni