A Day At The Inn: Guest Becomes a Real Winner

The clean air and gorgeous surroundings of the islands beg visitors to get out and enjoy nature while they’re here. That may include whale watching, kayaking, bicycling, hiking, or even a leisurely sail. But one of our recent guests took that a bit further by enjoying the scenery while running the Run Ladies Run Half Marathon. Not only did Maron Resur run – she came in first place!

Maron Resur - First Place Winner!

You might think she had been training for years, but Maron tells us a different story, one to inspire even the staunchest couch potato. She ran cross country in high school, but “was really bad!” She picked it back up last July at age 32, and without the pressures of high school peers and competition, she simply found it fun to do.  With her maximum running distance at 2.5 miles, Maron enter her first half marathon in November, and couldn’t believe she could actually run that far! Her sense of accomplishment compelled her to run in the Vancouver and Bothell half marathons, and within seven months of starting to run simply to feel good, she became the first place winner of the race here on San Juan Island. Asked what was going through her mind during the race, she said “I couldn’t believe no one was ahead of me.”

Maron says it’s the air quality that made the difference in her performance. Raised in the Midwest, she feels the pollen and industrial dust contributed to her lackluster performance in high school. Here the air is much cleaner, and the encouraging organizers had the race route and aid stations set up very efficiently. “The people were SO nice!”

Running 13.1 miles in 1 hour and 50 minutes, “the worst girl on the cross country team” became a real winner on San Juan Island!

Guest Shares Christmas Gift Giving Ideas

We are tired of the “commercialized” Christmas.  How many times have we all said that??  This year we have decided to do something about it. 

Wedding Photographer Available

We love hosting weddings on the lawn at the Lower Tucker House – the ancient willow tree adds such gentle beauty to the setting.  One of the weddings were had the privilege of hosting and catering this summer was captured on film by free lance photographer Jonathan Steinberg.

Guests Enjoy Reprieve at Tucker House Inn

We just wanted to say Thank You!!  so much for the wonderful experience you gave us as winners from the Flower & Garden Show.  We so enjoyed your Bed & Breakfast and the wonderful dinner at the Coho.  You and your staff have a lot to be proud of and we are telling all of our friends of the wonderful experience.

Again thank you so much.  I can’t tell you what a wonderful repreive this truly was!  Your staff was great!  Thank you.

Sincerely,

Debbie & Ron F

Tukwila, WA (Jennie’s Cottage)

Michigan Students Tape Friday Harbor Scenes

Student Production Group Meets on the Tucker House Deck

“Hello Anna Maria, John, Erin and Wonderful Staff,

We wanted to let you know that we arrived home safely.  None

of us were happy to be home, but we made it none-the-

less.  So many kids have already said they plan to return to SJI.  Of course, you

know Joe, Michael and I will be there again if not next year then for sure in 2012.

Thank you so much for your warm hospitality, for making us feel so welcome, and for the absolutely scrumptious breakfasts! I pulled my La Cucina Anna Maria off the shelf today to see what recipes I am going to make this week besides the much missed granola.

You asked for some feedback on our stay.  Here is what I can tell you.  Sue absolutely loved her stay in Patience Corner.  The bed was amazingly comfortable and she thought the hot tub was divine. She also loved Goose in the Pond.  Once we added the mattress to the Log Cabin (futon), the girls were fine.  Victoria’s Flower Garden (the boys room) was a fabulous place and space.  The Shaw Suite worked out great for the Jeff and the two kids.  Jenny’s Cabin worked out well for Joe and myself as it was centrally located to the kids and had the great patio out front for our production meetings, plus the long hall worked out well as a storage area for our video production equipment.  The bed was really comfortable!!!……..

Thanks all, for a wonderful stay.  We will send you videos and some photos soon.

All Our Best and Happy 4th of July!

Kara, Joe, and Michael Clayton, and the 2010 THTV Crew”

South Redford, MI

Read more about the student product group and their interesting tv broadcast project on Experience San Juan Island.com.  You can also find out more about our wonderful feather mattress toppers on this blog.

Student Photo from their Whale Watch Excursion

To follow news on our restaurant, sister inn and around the island, check out cohorestaurant.com and Facebook, www.harrisonhousesuites.com and Facebook, and www.experiencesanjuanisland.com.  Or connect with us on the Tucker House Facebook page.

Take Home a Memory from the Tucker House, San Juan Islands, WA

Friday Harbor, WA Vacation Destinations

We had the pleasure of assisting one of our guests with a proposal. He asked us to decorate the room upon their return. After we received the text message saying ‘success’, Shaylynn quickly went to work preparing their room. Here is what they returned to:

San Juan Islands B&B – Tucker House Guest Book

Dear Anna Maria and David,

Just a quick note in response to your email. Our stay in the log cabin at The Tucker House Bed and Breakfast was amazing. I have given your name and number to several friends and family members already.

We loved and appreciated everything. I believe I experienced withdrawal symptoms my first few days away from The Tucker House Inn, going without your marvelous breakfast and afternoon cookies was a challenge.

Thank you for everything.

Viola and family
Mosca, Colorado

Lodging and Dining Friday Harbor, WA San Juan Island
Harrison House Suites and Tucker House Inn
Coho Restaurant

San Juan Islands Lodging – Friday Harbor – Tucker House

A vacation memory from Colleen & Arlene from Manitoba and Sydney, Canada. They stayed with us last spring in the Goose in the Pond Cottage. They are planning a return visit this March and sent us this picture to share.

Friday Harbor, Washington Accommodations – Tucker House

Well, the photos are coming in fast and furiously after the request in our last newsletter.

Here are two that came in this evening from one of our guests John, from Mountain View, California. The first is a spectacular majestic bald eagle. I remember John mentioning at breakfast how he was waiting for the perfect shot. His patience really paid off. Thanks for sending these for all of us to share.

The bluffs at American Camp – John’s second contribution.

Remembering why we are innkeepers – Friday Harbor Bed & Breakfast

Dave and I are fortunate to be touched by many of our guests. We have the pleasure and joy of sharing weddings, anniversaries and birthdays. Last night, we opened our hearts and our home to a couple whose 44 year old daughter, Claudia, is dying of Ovarian Cancer in Bellevue. They came to the San Juans for peace and repose. This morning after they left, we reflected on the fragility of life. Claudia is our age. How can that be? She is dying. She will leave a husband without a wife and two sons 10 and 12 without a Mom. Life is cruel and sometimes unfair. They left Claudia’s blog on the guest computer and invited us to be part of her life. We read the 2 year 3 month account of Claudia’s illness. Claudia’s circle of friends now includes two innkeepers on San Juan Island. We will wait each day to read the family’s blog entry. We feel helpless and remote but connected through this virtual community. We look forward to a time when Claudia’s family can celebrate her life on San Juan Island.

Happy New Year 2008 from the Tucker House

Happy New Year 2008! The Island grew this holiday season to accommodate friends and family who came to San Juan Island to be with loved ones or for those who wanted to escape the typical holiday trappings. Many of our guests enjoyed cooking family dinners, relaxing and reading, and taking long walks around town. One of our guests came with their own Charlie Brown Christmas Tree! It was fun exchanging Christmas traditions with our guests and sharing their holiday treats. This time of year, the days are short. We have been treated to some rather nice weather. We have had our share of northwest sunshine, but all in all a few blue sunny days here and there keep the spirit alive. We are looking forward to daffodils popping their heads out of the ground in just a few short weeks.

San Juan Island Hotel – Fall is in Full Swing at the Tucker House

This week we are enjoying beautiful fall weather. One of our guests went kayaking and enjoyed a private tour! This is the beauty of the fall. While we can’t always guarantee perfect summer weather, guests have the hiking trails at the state and national parks, kayaking tours, and whale watching trips virtually to themselves. Today, two of our guests went whale watching. They had the rare experience of seeing the superpod – this is when all three of the resident pods J, K & L come together – upwards of 90 animals feeding and frolicing in the water.

From our snail mail box

Dear Anna Maria & David,

Your hospitality was the best. The raspberry torte – oh my gosh- it was so delicious, my mouth waters every time I think or talk about it. Raspberries are my favorite so you couldn’t have given me a nicer treat.

Last evening, I tried your stuffed peppers on page 97. Also a keeper! I’ve searched for years for the best pepper recipe and now have found it.

My retirement trip to the Canadian Rockies and San Juan Island was a most memorable adventure. I know I will return one day to enjoy more of the sights and friendship.

Fondly,

Gay S., California

Birthday Celebration at the Tucker House

Kirsten and 25 of her close friends toasted her 60th birthday last weekend at the Tucker House. They had a harvest meal prepared by the staff that featured Roasted Chicken from Synergy Farms – San Juan Island, King Salmon from the Columbia River, homemade manicotti, brocollini from Thousand Flower Farm on Waldron, roasted fingerling potatoes from Nootka Rose Farm – Waldron Island, and local greens from Synergy Farms. Her friends brought hear a traditional Norwegian Cake that we topped with Lopez Island Raspberry Ice Cream.