How incredible is it that we can fly? I often forget that small planes are also an option in our area when we are trying to get to local places. We’ve used Kenmore Air before for their seaplane to Vancouver Island. I just learned that they also have land planes too. And now there is a route from Paine Field to the San Juan Islands– I was lucky enough to experience it on a brilliantly sunny day on a FAM trip with a group of media. You can read more about my trip below and even feel a little bit of how it went through the Reel I made on my instagram.
Have you ever been to the San Juan Islands?
I know we went to Rosario Resort ages ago on Orcas island (I remember they had a deal that if we helped to clear some trails we got a discount on our room) but for some reason we haven’t been to the San Juan Islands in a long long time. So joining in on a FAM trip with Kenmore Air it was very cool to see the San Juan islands from the air and land on both Orcas Island and San Juan Island. When our press group landed on San Juan Island we met the local tourism bureau there. They have a “recreate responsibly” motto that would be helpful in many other places. And the airport on San Juan Island is not that far from the city center so it was great to hear that you could just walk from the airport or even rent a bike or e-bike.
We’ve really appreciated getting around by bikes on trips lately, so a bike trip by plane to San Juan Island sounds like something I’d really like to try one day. (Have you ever done this?). I also really want to do the island’s 48 mile loop with Susie’s Mopeds. The Scoot Coupes look so awesome! We’ve also wanted to stay at Snug Harbor Resort (it’s not pup-friendly so this would be a great opportunity for Scout to have a getaway weekend with his grandparents too-thanks in advance Mom and Dad.)
And how was the trip on such a small plane?
I was a bit apprehensive about going on a small plane but I’ve traveled by small planes before and have usually enjoyed my flights (one of my favorites was from Richmond BC to Whistler-this only operates in the summer) . Mostly I get worried about feeling claustrophobic or getting panicky. I was able to test out a few seats in the plane and the back seats felt very roomy and were closest to the door. Being able to meet the pilot and see the pilot the whole flight as she flew was really comforting too. It felt more like riding in a spacious van or town car than being in a cramped commercial flight. Every seat felt like a window seat. We took off shortly after we all got in our seats and the views were so phenomenal I barely thought about any of my initial fears of being in the sky in a small plane at all.
Also it’s important to note that these trips between Paine Field and the San Juans are by land planes. (Planes with wheels). I thought that Kenmore Air was a seaplane company so initially thought this would be a seaplane ride. My kids who have been playing XBOX flight simulator lately told me it would be impossible to take a seaplane from Paine Field and the plane we flew in had 9 passenger seats. The waiting area for passengers at Kenmore Air at Paine Field was really comfortable too.
And views by small planes are incredible!
It’s amazing to be in the sky but still feel close enough to the ground that you feel like you might spot whales in the ocean. We flew over the Naval Station on Whidbey Island and I think this is where the new Top Gun was filmed as well. My favorite part of the flight was seeing ferries and small planes from the sky. What an exhilarating new way to commute from Paine Field in Everett to the San Juan Islands and it is great to have another option besides only ferries to travel. We are so lucky to have Kenmore Air in the Pacific Northwest.
Terumi Pong is a Seattle-based family travel writer and mom of twin teenage boys. She loves coffee and pastries, shopping local and looking for greener ways to live. She is also known as Scout’s mom (Scout is a 5ish pound little black yorkie-poo)