Slopez

We began visiting Lopez Island over 30 years ago, starting out camping at Spencer Spit. Back in the day, Lopez Island Creamery had a cart in the village, and their production facility and shop was down the road. We visited often. They moved production to Anacortes but their ice cream was available in the building in Lopez Village pictured below, at Just Heavenly Fudge. That business left last year and it's nice to see L.I.C. back in town in that space! When I took this photo they were closed but we returned yesterday so I could get a peanut butter cup cone. Very good! They have been open just four days. They also sell t-shirts, many with the "Slopez" logo. Yes, things are wonderfully slow paced on this island!

Another great find yesterday was the farm store for Barn Owl Bakery. We've purchased their products at various outlets in the past (delicious!) but hadn't visited the actual bakery. They only bake certain days of the week so their products can be hard to find. No bread yesterday but we did get crackers and cookies. Hopefully we'll get back today for bread.

It's an interesting place, a bakery and a home for a young family.

We were on our bikes so we took a spin through Spencer Spit State Park. What a trip down memory lane! Fond memories.

Shore birds at the Spencer Spit marsh:

A look down the spit to the historic cabin:

A fog bank seen from the spit:

After Spencer Spit we cruised through the Port Stanley area. A look out to Swifts Bay:

On our way back to the village we stopped at another old favorite, Upright Channel Park, home of one of the nicest sandy beaches in the SJI's. This lovely walk to the beach is one of my favorites:

Time for margaritas and grilled nachos! (Featuring refried black beans, lots of jalapenos, and Nick's freshly made pico de gallo.)