Vendovi Island Trails — Sunday, Jul. 20, 2014

Puget Sound and Islands > San Juan Islands

I took Leapfrog Water Taxi from Bellingham over to this previously private, now public tiny island. Got there a little before it was actually open (closed/locked gate at dock) but Shawn, who is a caretaker along with his wife Heather, came down and let me in. Shawn was helpful and friendly, we chatted as I signed in at the kiosk and checked out the map, and then I was off to the trails. I headed to the Sunrise Beach area first. Seal action out in the water (Shawn said their pups sometimes haul out on the beaches), eagles, kingfishers. Then I took the trail across the island to Paintbrush Point. I was too late in the year for some of the wildflowers that are an attraction on this island (Shawn said that's going to require a trip out in May), but the trails were still peaceful, beautiful and enjoyable. I neglected to put on any bug spray until midway through so I did get a little bitten up. Lots of slugs on the trail - step carefully! - and, interestingly, a surprising number of white moth wings littering the ground. At Paintbrush, had lunch on the lookout bench, and learned that the population of the island (previously three, me and the caretakers), had exploded with 300% growth as four teen girls and two parents came to the lookout. Still not bad density for 200+ acres. I head back down the other leg of the trail to Paintbrush back to the caretaker's house, and then took the short trail down to Sunset Beach, also lovely. I didn't have time for the final leg (Jack's Back Trail to the overlook) as my water taxi was set to arrive at 2pm, but I saw Shawn and Heather as I was leaving and they said I got the best parts, so feel pretty good with that! The island started getting busy as I was leaving. Before the taxi took off, got a few shots of the Pigeon Guillemot nesting on the breakwater. If you have access to a boat or want to splurge on the taxi, I would imagine this could be a fun trip of exploration with young kids as the trails are easy and mainly flat. I enjoyed the solitude of it in the AM, and just the concept of being able to explore coast to coast, essentially, on such a tiny island. I had 4 hours on the island, and I'm a dawdler who takes tons of photos, so I wish I'd planned for another couple. I hope to head back next year when the wildflowers are blooming. **Please note - I had to select an option for the road conditions, but there is no road for vehicles on this island. You boat over and walk on.**