LYCOS RETRIEVER 
San Juan Islands: Orcas Island
built 267 days ago
The San Juans are the traditional grounds of the Lummi Indians. Used mainly as summer areas, the Lummi gathered berries, eggs, roots of plants such as the camas, then returned home to their LongHouses on the Mainland. Permanent villages were developed on San Juan Island, Lopez Island, and Orcas Island. Most of the shelters were made from woven mats built upon wooden frameworks. The Lummi were a traditionally gentle people... there were wars with other tribes from the North. The most notable battle took place in 1856 when a Haida war party came down and destroyed the people and village in West Sound Bay - this area is now known as Massacre Bay.
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Since 1995, the southern resident population of orcas (which spend between six and eight months of the year in the San Juan Islands) has declined by nearly 20 percent. "During that same period, the number of motorized whale-watching boats in the area has increased dramatically" reaching up to 140 boats in a single day.
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San Juan County businesses are welcome to hand out the brochures. Quantities can be picked up at the following locations: Lopez Island – Island House Realtors, 468-3366; Orcas Island – Smugglers Villa Resort, 376-2297; San Juan Island – SJIVB/Chamber office, 378-3277. For more information please contact Deborah Hopkins at the SJIVB, 378-3277.
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The islands accesssible by ferry, chartered yacht, boat or plane (or perhaps a kayak or canoe between islands) are Lopez Island, San Juan Island, Orcas Island and Shaw Island. Once there, all of the islands have county-maintained parks and/or campgrounds; some have tourist accommodations. A few have shopping communities.
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With the most diverse landscape, Orcas Island offers the best recreational opportunities in the San Juan Islands. Moran State Park, one of Washington's largest, is a mecca for hikers, bikers, campers, trail runners and outdoor enthusiasts of all stripes.
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Orcas Island