My Island

Five locals on five isles—San Juan, Whidbey, Vancouver, Anderson, and Galiano—dish on how to make the most of your next island sojourn.

Edited by James Ross Gardner

ANDERSON ISLAND

SOUTH PUGET SOUND

Photo: Courtesy Rich Murphy

The sun sets over the Steilacoom ferry terminal, gateway to Anderson Island.

by Lucy Stephenson, museum docent

FOR NEARLY 20 YEARS my family and I traveled from our home in University Place to spend weekends in a rustic cabin on the island. In 2004 we moved here permanently.

We had lovely home and nice neighbors in University Place. But now I have so much room to garden, and I have lots of apple trees and peach trees. It’s how I’ve always wanted to live. Also, I like the people. Even if you’re a tourist, I guarantee, when you get off the ferry and drive down the road, everybody on the island will wave at you. Everybody knows everybody here, so when you see a car, even if you’re not sure who it is, you better wave.

STAY

You’ll see the Inn at Burg’s Landing (253-884-9185; www.burgslandingbb.com), right when you get off the ferry, directly to the left. It’s a bed-and-breakfast with a beautiful view of the mainland and Mount Rainier. And they have cute little rooms. Very antique—wonderful old, old things that must’ve been in their family for years.

I love the personality—and the cooking!—at Sweet Woodruff Bed and Breakfast (253-884-2180; www.sweetwoodruffbed
andbreakfast.com), which is in the central part of the island in a quiet, wooded area. And the people who run it, Bill and Catherine Spears, can tell you anything you want to know about the island.

Barbara Lake runs Anderson Island Inns (253-377-6467; www.andersonislandinn.com) and she has several excellent properties that she rents out and provides breakfast for.

EAT

The Riviera Lakeshore Restaurant (253-884-3344; www.rivieraclub.org) is on lovely Lake Josephine, and you can sit there and watch ducks swim in formation. And the sunset is reflected on the water. It’s just so serene. I usually get a six-ounce sirloin. They have quite a good cook and friendly people.

The Anderson Island General Store (253-884-4001; www.andersonislandgeneralstore.com) includes a terrific deli and it’s sort of a gathering place, where you get all the news and get to see everybody. And they have a nice sandwich and soup selection, which you can eat out on the porch, and that way you don’t miss anyone who’s coming and going.

Right next door is the Nisqually Coffee Café (253-884-1644). The owner, Angela, is a delightful lady. Sometimes she’ll have a blueberry muffin and she cuts it into several pieces and passes it around. She also has this darling cat that sometimes comes inside and curls up on the chair next to you.

PLAY

Photo: Courtesy Jennifer Boutell

The gardens at the Johnson Farm Museum.

Lots of people rent from Anderson Island Kayaks (253-884-6911; www.andersonislandkayaks.com) and paddle around Lake Josephine. Some kayak all the way across the Sound to Steilacoom.

For hiking you can’t beat Andrew Anderson Marine Park. The trail there makes for a beautiful walk—with Douglas firs and a beach filled with shells and driftwood—and leads to one last surprise, a look at the Olympic Mountains.

Don’t miss The Johnson Farm Museum, site of Anderson Island Historical Society (www.anderson
islandhs.com) and community activities. I and other society members give tours of the museum, which has fabulous old vehicles and farm equipment. And islanders hold events there nearly every summer weekend, including band concerts and dances. And nothing costs a dime. Not really. When a band plays, they just pass the hat.