It was a dark and stormy night….

No, it actually wasn’t. It was an overcast, cool, windy day in the “shoulder season” (before or after the summer season on San Juan Island) and the Orca whales had not been seen or heard anywhere. I tried not to be disappointed. Being out on Maya’s brand new J1, a Zodiac boat with an enclosed cabin and head (that’s “boat” for “toilet”), zipping by lighthouses and seeing some sea lions would be fun too.

Our Earthbox Inn & Spa is a cool retro motor-inn with renovated rooms and spa like features. We are not fancy, but we are comfortable. We are not brand new, but we do offer tons of fun. Find out if we are right for you and yours. We can’t wait to have you!

There is nothing like Summer on San Juan Island. The killer whales are here, sailboats are bobbing in the port of Friday Harbor, there are colorful arts festivals, delightful wine and spirit tastings, historical re-enactments, flowers stands and flourishing farms everywhere and the beaches, mountains and parks are just waiting to be explored. Here are five San Juan Island Summer activities not to be missed:

Laughing reduces stress, anxiety and depression. It even diminishes pain. Go see a comedy at the San Juan Community Theatre or at the historic Palace Movie Theater. As the saying goes:  laughter is the best medicine.

This week we're delighted to share with you a guest blog written by Marcie in Mommyland! who spent a busy and funfilled weekend at The Earthbox Inn & Spa last month.  We hope you enjoy her Friday Harbor / San Juan Island family vacation as much as we did!

My Bavarian cousin Tanja was visiting me in America for the first time. Going on a whale watch tour, as well as having her first oyster was on her bucket list. To achieve these noble goals, she came to visit San Juan Island. When the ferry lands in Friday Harbor the first building you’ll see is the bright red office of the Western Prince right on the water.

This week we're delighted to share with you a guest blog written by Lisette Wolter-McKinley who spent a Wet and Windy Weekend at Earthbox Inn last month.  We hope she inspires you to enjoy your own family getaway this fall.

San Juan Island, with its fertile valleys kept sunny and warm by the Olympic Rain Shadow and its fresh air and clean water, is a culinary paradise. Our busy island farmers, fishermen and foragers tirelessly produce and catch ingredients that our talented island chefs whisk into a Locavore’s dream!

Are you a history lover? Whether you are a Paleozoic buff or want to know why San Juan Island is American and not Russian, Canadian or Spanish, we have the story for you. May is “History Lives Here”  month.