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Archive for the ‘Life on an Island’ Category
Thursday, June 24th, 2010
If you have a have a chance to start really poking around this island and learning more about the residents, you’ll be struck by the creative aura that pervades. True, some might view these artistic people as a bit quirky, but the things they create are amazing. Just being around so many lateral thinkers makes you want to let loose and try things yourself.
When you see someone who has found their niche, found their medium, it’s just so enjoyable to view their work. But being a small community, there are only so many buyers. Last month one of the local artisans, Dan Miller, was driving around town, just trying to show off his work, looking for buyers. His pick-up truck was loaded with his work – chairs, benches, birdhouses, tables. He happened to stop by the inns, where innkeeper Erin Dannelly spotted him. She was enthralled with his furniture – ended up buying a cozy bench of recycled woods, seven beautiful hand-crafted Western Red Cedar chairs, and placed an order for more!
 Dan Miller Handcrafts Wood Furniture Dan’s a man of few words when it comes to his work, perhaps preferring to let the pieces speak for themselves. “It’s hard to find the right wood; then you have to make it into something people want.” An island carpenter by trade since 1972, Dan likes to “mess with antiques” and make furniture. Sometimes it’s a hobby, sometimes it’s a sole source of income, all depends on how well things are going on the island. He always has a booth displaying his furniture at the San Juan County Fair in August and usually makes 15 to 20 large pieces a year – a corner cupboard, a dining set, whatever the available wood dictates. “It’s the same basic principles; furniture is all put together the same way, except the materials are different. I just start building and see how it turns out.” Most of his pieces are one-of-a-kind, simply because of the availability of materials.
You wouldn’t think so, but finding appropriate woods is a problem. The nice stuff is still very expensive, though occasionally he scores at a lumber yard or estate sale. The old weathered woods from buildings that have been torn down offer interesting possibilities for unique pieces, but then again, you have to be able to find it, along with other elements he uses in his craft. He’s used old copper sheets for table tops, discarded doorknobs for perches on his birdhouses, painted panels for benches. He loves to build artistic garden sheds out of recycled materials. Can’t you just picture it? You’ll have to, because so far Dan hasn’t taken any photos of his handiwork.
If you’d like to talk with Dan about crafting a special souvenir of the island, you can reach him at (360) 378-2046.
You can now follow Harrison House on Facebook or see our other blogs for Tucker House, Coho Restaurant, and Experience San Juan Island
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Sunday, March 21st, 2010
Visitors come to San Juan Island for its overwhelming beauty and often wonder what it’s like to actually live here. You can get a hint of what the community is like when driving along the roads exiting the town of Friday Harbor and out to other parts of the island.
Watch for yellow signs with a green triangle and red thumb along the side of the road. This designates a RIDESHARE stop, similar to a bus stop, where pedestrians and drivers can connect. People on foot needing a ride can be easily seen, drivers who want to help their neighbors and the environment can pull over safely. Both passenger and driver support more sustainable living and build connections with islanders.
Where else but a small island like this can you get away with hitchhiking now-a-days? Of course, everyone participating needs to use reasonable judgement, and you can always choose not to offer or accept a ride, but in the years I’ve lived here, I’ve never heard of any problems with this program. I’ve picked up kids, adults, adults with big dogs, and in turn have been picked up myself. It’s a wonderful way to meet other islanders and it just feels good to know I’m doing just a little bit to help cut down on emissions by not bringing my own car and doubling up with someone else. After all, it’s all these little things we do that add up to the big differences in life.
 Rideshare - Island Style
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Saturday, May 9th, 2009
Spring came a bit late, but we are enjoying some beautiful weather. The flower gardens at the Harrison House are at their peak. Shaylynn, one of our innkeepers whom you will meet when you visit has taken these beautiful pictures. Here is a picture perfect Camilia that graces the Garden Path between the two houses.
 The Flower arbor and gardens on C Street in front of the Inn.
This is the Garden Path leading the our Cafe where we serve breakfast. Notice the new addition. The blue tiled object is a Kamado. It is a clay cooker that we use for catering and smoking meat and fish for the restaurant.
 The flower arbor that welcomes you to the Inn.
Lodging and Dining-Friday Harbor, San Juan Island, WA. Harrison House Suites and Tucker House Inn
Coho Restaurant
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Tuesday, April 21st, 2009
Here are a few pictures sent today from our whale watching buddies, Bill and Colleen, at San Juan Safaris. Dave and I are pictured visiting with their llamas…the dark brown one in the background is Montana. We so enjoy the rare occasion when we can drive out to the ‘country’ of the Island to hang out at their farm.
There are rare occasions when we get the pleasure of reciprocating the hospitality with Bill and Colleen and hosting them in our Garden Cafe at the Harrison House in the booming metropolis of Friday Harbor – a township of only 2,000 residents and about 500 homes.
Lodging and Dining-Friday Harbor, San Juan Island, WA. Harrison House Suites and Tucker House Inn
Coho Restau
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Saturday, March 7th, 2009
Community Jam
Innkeepers don’t get out much during summer and sometimes even during the winter. But here we are – all four of us – away from the Inn together!
I remember our first four winters after we moved to the Island. We never saw the light of day. We were always working – tearing up something and putting in something. We still spend winters doing renovations and making improvements, but now with Erin and Shay we can take advantage of some play time.
We had the pleasure of attending this ‘Rhythm Jam’ presented by Source Consulting. It was also a treat to get to know the Kenya and Maketa (left) when they stayed with us at the Harrison House.
 Kenya and Maketa were here on San Juan Island for 3 days doing presentations for youth in our schools. Our community session, with over 150 in attendance – each with our own drum – showed the power of the individual voice and that of the whole. I am not quite ready to trade in my flute for a drum. We all had smiles ear to ear as we looked around the room and made fabulous ‘music’ with our neighbors and friends on the Island.
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Monday, January 26th, 2009
As a new resident to San Juan, I thought that anyone looking to visit or move to the island would like a little insight. I just recently moved into my apartment and am waiting for my little island car to get back from the shop, so for now I am staying at the inn. Island life is definitely something that I am getting used to; taking the ferry to go off island is an all day adventure so you shouldn’t rush the trip. However there is a debate now on how the ferry system will work as funding may change. Friday Harbor is a small community but if your car breaks down (like mine did about a week ago) you won’t be sitting on the side of the road long at all before someone asks if you would like a lift into town. People here are genuine and welcoming. Although winter can be cold and rainy at times, I used to live in New England and winters here are nothing compared to winter in Connecticut. The island is a great place to meet new people while enjoying the gorgeous scenery that the island has to offer. Sunsets here are absolutely wonderful and the stars at night light up the sky. In the summer I love going down by the ferry at night to see all the boats lit up while watching the ferry roll in and out. Also Lime Kiln State Park and South Beach are amazing places to visit for a walk, seeing wildlife, sunset watching, or just a nice place to have a picnic. A camera should be brought at all times as there are so many beautiful things to see and you never know when a whale or harbor seal will appear. All in all, relaxing and having fun on a beautiful island couldn’t get much better.
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Sunday, November 2nd, 2008
As the winter season is approaching there is still plenty to do on the island and the Harrison House is still bustling with guests! Weather has been good, a little rain here and there but still pretty warm and inviting during the day, perfect time to go out for a fall walk and see some of the changing trees or cuddle up in front of a fire at the inn and watch a good movie while eating popcorn. Warm up in the chill of the night with your private hot tub, or read a good book down by the harbor while the sun is shining. Check out the Farmer’s Market still going on Saturdays now at the high school come and support our local farmers! Theatre productions and events still happening come and see for yourself! The winter season is a perfect time for those who are watching budgets during these wallet constricting times. Many restaurants are participating in the Savor the San Juans and have plenty of 3 courses for $30 specials throughout October. Our restaurant,Coho, will be supporting these hard times throughout the winter season continuing the 3 courses for $30 special so families and couples can continue to go out and enjoy a nice meal without the worry of prices. We are also having specials for the holidays with four course meals for Thanksgiving and Christmas for only $45 a person. With Salad, Appetizer, Choice of Entree, and Choice of dessert from a special holiday inspired menu. For the new year we are also be featuring a Champagne tasting dinner! Log on to the coho website – cohorestaurant.com for updates and subscribe to the mailing list to receive the menus for these holiday events!
As a new person to the island (3 months now) I was amazed to see Halloween out here, streets were safely blocked off for the young ones to go trick-or-treating seeing soem very original costumes as well including a deviled egg (devil horns and a white t-shirt with a yellow circle painted on). The children also had a parade with lots of cotumes and pumpkins, the restaurants all doing Savor the San Juans and pumpkin pie being a special along with toasted pumpkin seeds and everyone dressed up at their jobs was quite entertaining!
Friday Harbor is still the place to be – Food, Friends, and Fun!
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Thursday, November 29th, 2007
As we were preparing for a houseful of guests on the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving weekend, we had a family emergency with our yellow lab, Mollie. Mollie got terribly sick and began failing quickly. Our local vet who has taken care of all of our animals since we moved here 3 years felt helpless with the diagnostic tools available to him. He was concerned about her well being throughout the night. Our only choices were to drive her off on the next ferry or fly her off. Dave, couldn’t fathom the idea of flying a very sick dog with an IV in her arm to Bellingham on the eve of Thanksgiving. For the first time in our 3 years of living on San Juan Island, we felt isolated. We quickly packed a few things for Dave since he was probably spending the night with Mollie on the mainland. After a few days in the animal hospital – we had a diagnosis – gastritis. Mollie came home on Sunday with her perky personality. She was in the check-in office on Monday greeting guests and helping everyone feel welcome. We were really thankful for our local vet and the staff at the animal hospital for taking time away from their holiday to make our Thanksgiving holiday whole.
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