You'll need to take the ferry, a plane, or come by private boat to visit the islands. The added transportation fees make bringing in orchard grass hay, groceries, and most services more expensive here, but island life also offers an added element of safety and incredible beauty, so it all balances out in the long run.

      Castalia is not a large nor fancy farm, but nature still blesses it with an abundance of beauty. Fortunately my llamas don't know they are living on a "Ma and Pa Kettle" type farm, so they seem happy with what we've got. Sometimes they even come in the house for a treat and "TV time". The little wild deer know it's a safe haven and visit daily. Eagles, hawks, raccoons, foxes, woodpeckers and hummingbirds are also common visitors. Beautiful sunrises, sunsets, and occasional rainbows are part of the magic we enjoy.

      The shoreline of the island ranges from sand and pebbled beaches, to rocky cliffs. Below I'll tell you about some of the areas and offer photo collages for you to view. Be patient after you "click" and give them a moment to load, it won't take too long. Just close the pop-up photos like you would any window, by clicking the "x" in the upper corner. Many of the photos were taken and given to me by friends who visited me over the years. None are available for use anywhere else. I guess I'd better explain a bit about the Pig War first or you'll wonder why we have English and American "camps".

      We have the dubious fame of being host to one of the longest running wars on American soil. Actually that was the whole gist of the war... whether this was American or British soil. There was a treaty in place, but arguments erupted over a portion of the boundary described as the "middle of the channel" separating the British colony of Vancouver's Island from the U. S. mainland. There were actually two channels, Haro Strait (nearest to Vancouver) and Rosario Strait, nearer to the U.S. mainland. San Juan Island huddles right between the two straits. Britain insisted that the boundary ran through Rosario Strait, but the Americans said it lay through Haro Strait. So both sides considered San Juan theirs for settlement.

      Around 1845, Hudson's Bay Company posted a notice of possession on San Juan, and in 1850 it established a salmon-curing station. A few years later they started Bellevue Farm, a sheep ranch. By 1859, 18 to 25 U.S. citizens had also settled on San Juan Island. They were settled on redemption claims which they expected the U.S. Government to recognize as valid, but the British considered illegal. Neither side recognized the authority of the other, so everyone was on edge and things were bound to come to a head.

      In June of 1859, Lyman Cutlar (one of the U.S. settlers) shot a pig that was raiding his garden. Afterwards, he realized the pig belonged to the Hudson's Bay Company and offered to pay for it. They claimed the pig was a champion breeder and was valued at $100. Cutlar was outraged at the price considering the pig had also just trashed his garden, and he refused to pay. He was told he'd pay or be arrested for trespassing.

      The American citizens requested U.S. military protection. George E. Pickett (of later Civil War fame) was sent to San Juan Island with a 66-man unit. They landed in July and set up camp near the Hudson's Bay Company wharf, just north of Bellevue Farm. Throughout the remaining days of July and early August, the British forces in Griffin Bay (then San Juan Harbor) continued to grow. Pickett also received reinforcements under Lt. Col. Silas Casey, who now assumed active command. Captain Hornby (in charge of the British troops) waited to take any action against the Americans until the arrival of Rear Adm. Robert L. Baynes, commander of British naval forces in the Pacific. Baynes was disgusted and wanted no part of involving "two great nations in a war over a squabble about a pig".

      By the end of August, 461 Americans, protected by 14 cannons, were opposed by 5 British warships mounting 167 guns and carrying 2,140 troops, including Royal Marines, artillerymen, sappers, and miners. Still no one budged, nor was a shot fired. Eventually an agreement was forged whereby a token force from each nation would occupy San Juan until a final settlement could be reached. On March 21, 1860, British Royal Marines landed and established camp on Garrison Bay, to this day known as English Camp. The U.S. troops stayed where they were, still known as American Camp.

      San Juan Island remained under joint military occupation for 12 years. In 1871, when Great Britain and the United States signed the Treaty of Washington, the San Juan question was referred to Kaiser Wilhelm I of Germany for settlement. In October of 1872, the emperor ruled in favor of the United States, establishing the boundary line through Haro Strait. San Juan became an American possession and the final boundary between Canada and the United States was set. In November of 1872, the Royal Marines withdrew from English Camp. By July of 1874, the last of the U.S. troops had left American Camp. The 49th parallel was no longer "occupied" by any military force and I suppose the local residents partied 'til dawn, although I have no proof of that.

      San Juan Island would be remembered for a military confrontation in which the only casualty was a pig. Which in my opinion was one casualty too many. However, this all makes for two great historical sites to visit, the annual Pig War Bar-B-Que, and enjoyable re-enactments played out by local actors in summer.

      The south end of the island has beaches of sand and smooth rocks. It is drier than most other areas of the island and has a windswept look. American Camp is located here, and there are areas set up for campfires and picnics at 4th of July Beach. Don't be surprised if the seagulls show up to beg for snacks. Here is a collage of photos of the south end of the island. It's common to see fishing and pleasure boats out on the water. You can often see the Orca pass by, and the sunsets are incredible. Here is another photo collage of this area.

      English Camp has formal gardens and was much more protected from the elements, with richer soil and large trees. They certainly had the better end of the deal as far as food and lodging were concerned. If you look closely in the upper left photo of this next collage, you'll see one of 3 baby raccoons that were playing in a tree that day. English Camp and the tree-lined drive down to it.

      This next collage is just views of various shores around the island. For such a relatively small island, there is an amazing difference in the look of each area. I finally got more photos scanned of some of the valleys, mountains, the town, and other local sites. Click here and get more of a glimpse of the world that I love so much.