SAN JUAN ISLAND, FRIDAY HARBOR, WA :: To celebrate the second anniversary of our merry coupledom, Kristie and I chose to stay the weekend on scenic San Juan Island. Our October getaways in the Northwest are great because of the romantic fall colors and heavily discounted hotel rates. The tourist crowds have mostly thinned out, and the best rooms are suddenly affordable.

One disadvantage, however, is the tourist activities you look forward to have shut down for the year. Like sea-kayaking. Even though it was 60 degrees and sunny the entire weekend, no outfitters were willing to help us. Fortunately, one bike rental shop was open. If you go and want to bike, we recommend Island Bicycles in Friday Harbor.

We rode a loop from the harbor to Lime Kiln lighthouse, using roads that passed near old cemeteries, farms, sheep, and the edge of ocean-skirting cliffs. The ride was fun, but neither of us had been on a bike in a while. By the end of our 12 mile trip, our bottoms were in a great deal of pain.

Our weekend also included visiting the little shops in Friday Harbor, touring the old American and British forts used during the famous Pig War of 1859, a quick drive through Roche Harbor, checking out a funky sculpture garden, and watching a gorgeous sunset in False Bay.