Hope Island
South Puget Sound, Washington
7–8 September 2024
Leon and I end up on the wrong island, but the deer are overjoyed to see us.
Wolfe Property
Hood Canal, Washington
31 August–1 September 2024
Spooky hands, unusual aquaculture, and a driftwood dragon.
Wingehaven
Central Puget Sound, Washington
13–14 July 2024
All we need for a perfect summer weekend are a grassy field, a few birds, and a parade of killer whales.
Posey Island
San Juan Islands, Washington
13–14 April 2024
Rachel and I spend a weekend with the kids on the smallest camping island in the San Juans.
Turn Island
San Juan Islands, Washington
23–24 September 2023
Often overlooked in favor of flashier islands, Turn Island is the perfect place to close out the kids’ camping season.
Cypress Head
San Juan Islands, Washington
2–4 September 2023
Hundreds of porpoises welcome me, Grandpa John, and the kids to this, the kayaking backyard of Washington.
Blind Island
San Juan Islands, Washington
12–13 August 2023
It’s no great loss to sleep through the meteor shower when a family trip is as much fun as this.
Hope Island
South Puget Sound, Washington
22–23 July 2023
Voracious deer and aggressive raccoons are our neighbors here at the pearl of south Puget Sound.
Skagit River
Rockport to Sedro-Woolley, Washington
22–25 June 2023
Our family has so much fun kayaking the Skagit River we decide to make it an annual tradition.
Middle Point
Central Puget Sound, Washington
17–18 June 2023
James and Chelsea join me and the kids for a Father’s Day weekend at a decommissioned fort.
Possession Point
North Puget Sound, Washington
20–21 May 2023
The kids and I go camping alone together for the first time, only to be confronted by various forms of animal mischief.
Cypress Head
San Juan Islands, Washington
17–18 September 2022
Strong winds and rare birds await us and our friends on a long-promised visit to Cypress Island.
Anderson Island
South Puget Sound, Washington
3–5 September 2022
The kids romp around the island, finding their own adventures.
Blake Island
Central Puget Sound, Washington
20–21 August 2022
An entire weekend of kayak-camping, just me and Leon, age two.
James Island
San Juan Islands, Washington
30–31 July 2022
It’s no mirage—James Island makes for a perfect family getaway.
Sucia Island
San Juan Islands, Washington
11–12 June 2022
Rachel joins me and the kids on a kayak-camping trip to one of the most beautiful islands in the state.
Jones Island
San Juan Islands, Washington
14–15 May 2022
Forgotten food and a rainy night out can’t dampen our spirits.
Wingehaven
Central Puget Sound, Washington
30 April–1 May 2022
Leon’s first-ever kayak-camping trip.
Kinney Point
Admiralty Inlet, Washington
25–26 September 2021
My dad joins me and Maya for a weekend in the woods on Marrowstone Island.
Strawberry Island
San Juan Islands, Washington
4–6 September 2021
After years of anticipation, I finally get to take Maya to my favorite place on Earth.
Sucia Island
San Juan Islands, Washington
24–25 July 2021
James and I take Maya and Chelsea fossil hunting.
Anderson Island
South Puget Sound, Washington
19–20 June 2021
With James and Chelsea, Maya and I explore an island full of mammals, birds, reptiles, and crustaceans.
Burrows Island
San Juan Islands, Washington
1–2 May 2021
From the treetops overhead, a raven laughs at two strange visitors to its island.
Hope Island
North Puget Sound, Washington
24–25 October 2020
The Fraser outflow winds bring clear skies, strong winds, and cold temperatures to north Puget Sound.
Saddlebag Island
San Juan Islands, Washington
26–27 September 2020
A little rain won’t keep two adventurous girls and their dads from having a good time on their own, private island.
Hope Island
South Puget Sound, Washington
5–6 September 2020
A short, easy crossing to one of the gems of the south sound.
Blake Island
Central Puget Sound, Washington
1–2 August 2020
Two little girls and their dads go romping around an island.
Anderson Island
South Puget Sound, Washington
13–14 June 2020
One of the most scenic campsites in south Puget Sound is also one of the easiest to reach.
Sucia Island
San Juan Islands, Washington
30–31 May 2020
Sucia Island is the perfect place to be a child.
Saddlebag Island
San Juan Islands, Washington
31 August – 2 September 2019
Rachel, Maya, and I spend Labor Day weekend camping, beachcombing, and picking pears.
Blake Island
Central Puget Sound, Washington
13–14 July 2019
Rachel and I take Maya for her first-ever kayak-camping trip.