Welcome to Friday Harbor. Welcome to my home. Today we learned how the San Juan Islands became American territory in 1871 by visiting the remains of two camps once occupied by American and British troops during the infamous Pig War. While Lieutenant Roche was scouting places for British troops to set up their barracks at the start of the Pig War, he discovered a lime deposit on the northwest corner of the island that now bears his name. This began a rush on lime manufacturing in the area and what remains of those kilns are part of what led to the establishment of Lime Kiln Point State Park, which we visited today.

What a pleasure to be home while still on the job!