The Cabin in the Woods

October 28, 2012

A Retreat on the San Juan Islands

What started out as a plan for a massive camping trip ended up being a cozy cabin retreat in the San Juans. A group of us drove up from Portland and stayed at the Sunrise Cliff House, on the Southeastern side of Lopez Island, where we cooked together, boozed together, and got away from the city together.

Though the weather wasn’t always ideal, it lent itself to the tranquility of the island, and you could always find someone huddled next to the fire. The property was big enough that there was plenty of room to breathe when anyone needed a bit of alone time… Or if you just wanted to take a beat-up rowboat out onto the ocean, that was there, too.

I take pride in the people I choose to spend my time with, and I’m grateful to this weekend for allowing me to foster a deeper relationship with those I didn’t get to see much during wedding season. One of my favorite memories of the weekend was when I went out on a bike ride by myself, and coincidentally ran into Mark and Richelle as they were biking to the cabin, fresh off the ferry. I turned around and rode back with them — a quiet, lonely outing turned into one full of giggles, stories, and ideas for what the rest of the weekend would hold.

Crossword puzzles. Family dinners. Sipping Aquavit. Watching the late night ferries slither behind the neighboring islands.

Thank you, Lopez Island.

Mostly, though, I’m just glad we didn’t get murdered by a zombie redneck torture family.

Portland Lifestyle Photographer - San Juan Island Vacation

Portland Lifestyle Photographer - San Juan Island Vacation

Portland Lifestyle Photographer - Bob Reynolds on the San Juan Island Ferry

Portland Lifestyle Photographer - San Juan Islands

Portland Lifestyle Photographer - Sunrise Cliff House Vacation Rental on Lopez Island - Bokeh Panorama

Portland Lifestyle Photographer - Treehouse on Lopez Island - Vacation Rental

Portland Lifestyle Photographer - San Juan Island Vacation

Portland Lifestyle Photographer - San Juan Island Vacation

Portland Lifestyle Photographer - San Juan Island Vacation

Portland Lifestyle Photographer - Sunrise Cliff House Vacation Rental - San Juan Island Vacation

Portland Lifestyle Photographer - Bike Rides on Lopez Island, WA

Portland Lifestyle Photographer - San Juan Island Vacation - Chopping wood bokeh panorama

Portland Lifestyle Photographer - San Juan Island Vacation - Kyle and Bob posing with axes

Portland Lifestyle Photographer - San Juan Island Vacation - Loeffler Randall Rainboots

Portland Lifestyle Photographer - San Juan Island Vacation - Rowboat on Lopez Island

Portland Lifestyle Photographer - San Juan Island Vacation - Richelle on a rowboat

Portland Lifestyle Photographer - San Juan Island Vacation - Sunrise Cliff House vacation rental at night

Portland Lifestyle Photographer - San Juan Island Vacation - Bob in the morning

Portland Lifestyle Photographer - San Juan Island Vacation - Mark carrying a poisonous caterpillar on a stick

Portland Lifestyle Photographer - San Juan Island Vacation - Mark, Brett and Colleen on a rowboat in the ocean

Portland Lifestyle Photographer - San Juan Island Vacation - Colleen instagramming from Lopez Village, WA

Portland Lifestyle Photographer - San Juan Island Vacation - Group Shot - Not Pictured: Richelle, Caitlin and Amanda

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COMMENTS

What a gorgeous gorgeous set, Kim.
Oh my God, you brought your Rollei! I can’t wait to see the results!

Finally catching up on my favorite blogs, and I’m dying from all the eye candy here. It’s all so gorgeous – your photos, the location, the cozy cabin atmosphere. My ideal getaway, really. So jealous! That B&W of the little boat in the ocean should be a big print on your wall, love it. :)

This post was a crazy cool visual ride! I think my soul is in desperate need of this sort of adventure =P

Just beautiful! I wouldn’t mind tagging along for your next adventure :)

megapost! what an adventure. thank you for taking the time to share all of these. this is just my kind of vacation.

WOW! First of all, beautiful Washington. My goodness. Second of all, what a damn beautiful crew! I am so jealous. Also, if the photo of the LL Bean boots and firewood next to it doesn’t say “Pacific Northwest” I don’t know what does. Miss you guys.

Thanks, Jenica! Wish you could’ve been there. <3

What an amazing group of shots. I literally feel like I joined you the entire time. I think the capture of the oar in the water is my favorite.

wonderful photos and very nice light in those hills. impressing how you always manage to nail so many fine photos at one occation. (how do you cope with editing so many shots? do you have 50 hours a day?)

Thank you! I wish I had 50 hours in a day! But I do have a pretty efficient workflow. That, and letting friends/family know that my clients come first buys me some time. :)

Great shots. And beautiful landscape!

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