Camping at Grapevine with Day Trip to Sedona

ORCAS ISLAND - SAN JUANS

Orcas Island is tucked in the San Juan Islands.  One of the largest by area, it is less popular than the San Juan Island.  However, Orcas is bursting with outdoor activities and adventure for those fortunate enough to travel here.  From climbing Mount Constitution to Kayaking in Puget Sound to Hiking in Moran State Park, there is more here than you can possibly do in one trip. 

Orcas is easy to access and about 90 miles North of Seattle.  Contact Whidbey Approach for flight following and they will hand you off to the common frequency for the islands.  Look for the island with the large peak and head for the 3000 foot runway at Eastsound.

Bring your camping gear, because Eastsound is one of the few airports that allows and encourages you to camp right next to your plane.  Forget about those year in advance reservations for camping sites that non-pilots have to fight over.  Here, there is always room and no reservations are required.  At $6 bucks a night including a hot shower, free bikes, and courtesy cars, you are sure to make this a regular destination in your travels.  Here are our two boys getting situated in our tents before we hit the road in the free courtesy car.

 

Before you go anywhere, check in the local airport office and talk with Tony Simpson.  There are bathrooms and coffee available while you pay for your spot and pick up your car or bikes.  He will give you the shower code and directions as well.  

The courtesy car is one of the sweetest cars in the entire fleet: a 1980's diesel Mercedes.  It runs like a tractor, makes a bunch of squealing noise, and smells, but you can't beat the laughs and experiences. 

 

We like to get out of town and drive to the small resort of Doe Bay where they have an amazing restaurant perched over the water and featuring all local foods.  It is about a 20 minute drive, but the view and the food are entirely worth it.  There is also a spa, camping, and cabins available at Doe Bay if you want to stay there instead of the airport. 

 
After eating, head back to the airport and kick your feet up at the beach that is within walking distance from your campsite.  Watching planes and takeoff while your relaxing makes it even more enjoyable.

For dinner, we walked into Eastsound through the designated trail in the woods.  Just head South along the main airport road and cross the street to the trail directly ahead.  It is about 10-15 minutes and just enough to get a little exercise before hitting up any of the many restaurants for food.  We settled on a Mexican restaurant called Mijitas Mexican Kitchen.  They have a vibrant outdoor atmosphere with great service and wonderful food.  Make sure to ask for one of their wearable blankets - they look funny, but they are warm.

After all that fun and food, head back to the airport for a night under the stars.  There is light traffic until the morning when the first planes start arriving and departing.  What a way to wake up with planes roaring down the runway just feet from your sleeping bag.  Head back to Doe Bay or Eastsound for food before packing up to head home. 

Departing Orcas Island, make sure to fly over some of the other islands for a scenic tour and to get ideas for your next adventure.

INTRODUCTION TO BEYOND THE AIRPORT DINER - PACIFIC NORTHWEST

Beyond the Airport Diner is a blog about general aviation flying destinations.

When we got our license a few years back and began looking for places to fly and things to do, we noticed there was a real lack of information.  Not knowing where to go or what to do results in many pilots sticking with the routine trips to local airport diners.  Not that we have anything against the diners, they are great and we love most of them, but there is so much out there to do and explore beyond those diners.  As we started exploring and accumulating experiences we decided that we'd like to share that information to help and inspire others - starting with some of our favorite Pacific Northwest flying destinations.


We hope you enjoy the content and will reach out and share with us ideas for other destinations to feature.

Jim Ruttler and Zuzana Melherova