Rosario Resort

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T10:22:00.001-08:00

Last Week for Festival of Tress

2011-12-27T07:59:00.000-08:00

It's the last week for the Festival of Trees. If you haven't seen them yet, do make an effort to visit Rosario Resort & Spa and support some great Orcas Island non-profits by purchasing raffle tickets and voting for your favorite tree! All proceeds go to directly to the organizations and your voting tickets will be entered to win some great prizes, including a round trip flight for two on Kenmore Air with a two night hotel stay! Come support Kaleidoscope, The Funhouse, Orcas Island Educational Foundation, Orcas Fire and Rescue, Orcas Choral Society, Friends of Moran and OPAL Land Trust.

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Merry Christmas

2011-12-25T09:02:00.001-08:00

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Christmas Eve

2011-12-24T14:08:00.000-08:00

Photo by Rosario Resort neighbor Tom Maiuro.

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Rosario Gingerbread Mansion

2011-12-13T13:43:00.000-08:00

The Rosario Gingerbread Mansion is finished and now on display with our Festival of Trees through New Year's Day in the Moran Mansion. This is a must see... what a great job by our talented kitchen staff!

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Festival of Trees

2011-12-12T17:35:00.000-08:00

Come to Rosario and help raise funds for some great island non-profits! Vote for you favorite trees and organizations with $1 voting tickets available at the front desk. Tickets will be entered in a raffle for great prizes, including round-trip tickets for two and two night hotel stay (to Rosario for an off-island winner or to Seattle for an island winner). dinner for two at The Mansion Restaurant and a two month Spa membership. You have to come to the Moran Mansion to see the entire trees (not just small sections displayed here), on display through New Years.

Here are the Kaleidescope Pre-School kids in front of the tree they helped decorate...

OPAL Community Land Trust... Bird houses and People houses.

Orcas Island Educational Foundation... a picture is worth a thousand words!

The Funhouse...kids having fun with sea creatures!

Friends of Moran State Park... natural inside and out!

Orcas Fire and Rescue... a salute to the 10th Anniversay of 9/11.

Orcas Island Choral Society... the arts are alive on Orcas Island!

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Thanksgiving 2011

2011-11-25T15:28:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving is all about giving thanks... especially to those that cook the feast! Chef Dan Koommoo checks in on carvers Steven and Tyler, who we affectionately call "Team Aerosmith." Thanks to all the Rosario Staff for a great Thanksgiving!

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Rummage Sale

2011-11-21T08:28:00.001-08:00

Rosario Resort Rummage Sale, Dec. 1-4 @ The Beachhouse (formerly The Discovery House).

We’ve cleaned out the attic, offices and guest rooms:
Furniture – Beds – Chairs - Desks – Office and Business Supplies – Clothing
Antiques – Home Décor – Thing-a-ma-jigs and Whatcha-ma-call-its!

Dec. 1 “Early Bird Thursday” $10, 8 am-3 pm Allows for rummaging all 4 days!

Dec. 2 “Sneak Peak Friday” $5, 8 am-3 pm Allows for rummaging 3 whole days!

Dec. 3 & 4 “Open to the Public”, 8 am-3 pm Saturday and Sunday

**Early Bird and Sneak Peak tickets available for purchase at door on Thursday and Friday! Cash and local checks only.

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Leaves of Gold Concert

2011-10-19T10:22:00.000-07:00

Beautiful and talented violinist Chee-Yun and pianist Andrew Staupe performed a fabulous "Leaves of Gold" fund-raising concert for the Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival in the Music Room this past weekend. The popular festival began in this room 15 years ago! Photos courtesy of festival photographer Derk Jager.

Rosario's owner Jerry Barto welcomes art patrons and thanks Chee-Yun and Andrew Staupe for an extraordinary concert of Beethoveen, Bach and Elgar. "Robert Moran would be proud... this evening is what this room was built for" Jerry shared with guests.

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Savor the San Juans

2011-10-02T17:09:00.001-07:00

October is "Savor the San Juans" month! Enjoy this awesome three course meal for $30 created by Chef Dan Koommoo – Penn Cove Mussels and Buck Bay Oysters, Wild King Salmon en Croute and Dark Chocolate Soup... mmmmm! Nightly through October at The Mansion Restaurant.

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Coastal Living Magazine

2011-09-25T13:39:00.000-07:00

Rosario is featured in a full page illustration from Coastal Living Magazine's article "Haunted Hotels by the Sea," highlighting by the ghost of Alice Rheem flying out of the Moran Mansion on her motorcycle!

"Whatever your ghoulish pleasure, it’s the time of year when ghost stories and tales of the unknown cast their spells upon us. Plan a trip to these coastal haunts and you may be treated to frightful delights: floating apparitions, ghastly stories, and supernatural phenomena, all explained on lantern-lit tours. And don’t worry about that bump in the night—it was probably just the wind.

Rosario Resort
Orcas Island, Washington

Arrive by seaplane or ferry to this isolated location and you’ll find yourself ensconced in nature, with 360-degree views of the Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound—each room has a water view. The 1909 mansion contains a spa, a restaurant and lounge, and a museum full of paintings and photographs from the early 1900s. On the second floor, watch out for the specter of a woman in a red dress and heels atop a Harley—that’s Alice Rheem, audacious wife during the 1930s of the mansion’s second owner. Guests report hearing her stilettos echoing in the hallways and seeing darting shadows in brightly lit areas. Rates start at $109; 360/376-2152"

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Summer into Fall

2011-09-15T17:00:00.000-07:00

Around the resort grounds, we can't help but notice the summer colors of our beautiful flower baskets beginning to blend in with the fall colors of the trees...

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Cascade Bay Grill Closing for Season

2011-09-11T13:10:00.000-07:00

The grill portion of the Cascade Bay Grill & Store closes for the season after today (the store will remain open for a few more weeks)! Come enjoy some food and drink at the marina on this gorgeous afternoon!

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Sunset Magazine

2011-09-09T09:01:00.000-07:00

Rosario was mentioned in the September issue of Sunset Magazine as one of "3 seaside escapes that put us in the mood for romance!" We'll agree with that!

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Stunning Labor Day Weekend

2011-09-03T13:45:00.000-07:00

A stunning Labor Day Weekend Saturday Morning! Zodiac sailing by out back, British classics out front!

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Rosario Marina Montage

2011-07-12T12:54:00.001-07:00

A Rosario Marina montage thanks to dockhand Cara!

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Breakfast at Rosario

2011-07-05T10:59:00.000-07:00

Come enjoy Breakfast on the Veranda at Rosario! Serving 8 am-Noon, the highlight is our "T-Dock" ( T is for TOPPINGS, not to be confused with the T-Dock at the marina)! Order our Brioche French Toast, Bacon Waffle, Oh My Pancake or Creme Brulee Oatmeal and choose your own toppings, including nuts, raisins, bananas, maple syrup, whipped cream, strawberries, cherries, raspberries, jams, chocolate, peanut butter and more!

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Happy Fourth of July

2011-07-04T11:04:00.001-07:00

A beautiful Fourth at Rosario Resort & Spa on Orcas Island!

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Ethereal

2011-06-27T11:29:00.000-07:00

The 190-foot Royal Huisman yacht "Ethereal" made a stop at Rosario this weekend. It is one of the most environmentally friendly sailing superyachts to launch in the last few years. It features the first true hybrid engine on a sailing ship, a power source that uses motion generated under sail to recharge the yacht’s lithium-polymer batteries and run all functions on battery power for an extended length of time. Royal Huisman installed LED lighting and the latest in flooring and insulation to make the superyacht energy-efficient. Beyond the environmental technologies on board, naval architect Ron Holland engineered Ethereal’s hull and rigging specifically for performance. The boat’s sleek lines look classy with the ketch rigging, but, in fact, its wing keels and long hull have been tank-tested like America’s Cup racing boats to ensure optimum efficiency under sail.

Thanks to our Dockhand Erik for the early morning photo!

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Discovery House Remodel

2011-06-22T21:31:00.001-07:00

We are excited to show off the new Discovery House deck and new interior paint colors!

We are excited to show off the new Discovery House deck and new interior painting!

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POPS N' SCOTCH

2011-06-17T21:33:00.000-07:00

Bring Pops to the Mansion Restaurant this Sunday for Father's Day and he can enjoy some Hops and Scotch!

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Buck Bay Oysters

2011-06-09T14:15:00.000-07:00

Chef Dan took our culinary team on a recent outing to visit local Orcas Island Farms, including Buck Bay Shellfish Farm. Our daily oyster menu features a variety of Northwest oysters and preparations. The Mansion Restaurant features one dollar oysters nightly!

Heading out on the tide flats of Buck Bay.

Toni Hermansen of Buck Bay Farm explains the oyster raising and harvesting process... they start by seeding the oysters in bags and placing them in the bay. After about two and a half years, they are big enough to be sorted by size. The oysters are then harvested, washed and scrubbed to remove barnacles before being sold to Rosario.

The oyster bags are in full view at low tide.

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Packard Car Club

2011-06-06T13:06:00.000-07:00

The Northwest Packard Car Club showed off some real beauties on their recent trip to Rosario Resort & Spa and Orcas Island. Donald and Alice Rheem, owners of Rosario between 1938 and 1958 would be proud of this sight!

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Bite of Orcas

2011-06-02T12:45:00.000-07:00

Chef Dan Koommoo presented great treats for the Bite of Orcas over Memorial Day weekend! Oyster Shooters, Ceviche (with scallops, shrimp and calamari), and Crab & Watermelon Soup (with lemon grass, ginger and cilantro )... refreshing!

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The Mansion Restaurant and Moran Lounge

2011-04-03T19:41:00.000-07:00

We are thrilled to announce the Mansion Restaurant and Moran Lounge are now open! Once again, enjoy cocktails and dinner in the historic Moran Mansion, currently open Fridays - Mondays from 5 pm - 10 pm. Joining us at Rosario is Executive Chef Dan Koommoo, who was most recently the Executive Chef at Novelty Hill and Januik Wineries in Woodinville, Washington, where he has specialized in wine pairing dinners, cooking classes, and wedding/special event cuisine. He was previously the Food & Beverage Director and Executive Chef at the Bellevue Marriott, the manager and chef of the Attic Cafe at Salish Lodge and Spa, and the Bar Manager at Earth & Ocean restaurant in the W Hotel Seattle.

Dan also brings to Rosario great spa cuisine experience, having worked at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Spa in Phoenix, AZ, where he was the Exective Chef and Restaurant Manager of their "Revive" spa restaurant. He sharpened his skills at various Marriott hotels in New York City, Atlanta, Pittsburgh and Ottawa.

He attended Le Cordon Bleu School in Ottawa, Canada after graduating from Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, where he majored in Industrial Design, designing 15 commercial kitchens for his senior project.

Photo courtesy of Creative Image Photography.

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Shearwater Kayaks

2011-02-01T19:30:00.000-08:00

It is beautiful sunny day today on Orcas Island, which makes us think of summer! Here is a great promo video from our friends at Shearwater Kayaks, who offer tours out of Rosario from June-September.

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Seattle Wedding Show

2011-01-29T13:21:00.000-08:00

Thanks to everyone who stopped by our booth at the Seattle Wedding Show! Be sure to reserve your special date as soon as possible, as Rosario Resort and Orcas Island is a very popular wedding destination. Thanks to Leslie and John of Patina Floral Design and Wedding Planning for designing our booth!

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Cascade Bay Waterfall

2011-01-24T12:43:00.000-08:00

For those of you who have only been to Rosario in the summer, you are probably unaware that Cascade Bay features a spectacular waterfall during the winter months. The creek from Cascade Lake to Cascade Bay is often mistakenly called Cascade Creek, but its correct name is Bowman Creek. Cascade Creek runs from Mountain Lake to Olga and features Orcas Island's largest falls, Cascade Falls.

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Happy New Year

2011-01-01T12:22:00.000-08:00

We look forward to you visiting Rosario Resort & Spa on Orcas Island in 2011!

This photo was taken from the ferry from Anacortes close to the winter solstice.

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Merry Christmas

2010-12-24T16:22:00.001-08:00

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White Thanksgiving

2010-11-25T08:27:00.000-08:00

"I'm Dreaming of a White Thanksgiving"
(sung to the melody of White Christmas)

The Moran Mansion, 7 a.m.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

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Fire & Ice

2010-11-01T11:20:00.000-07:00

Our newly restored Spa Fireplace was unveiled this past week. The display is called "Fire & Ice" and features beautiful Orcas Island North Beach rock.

"The Pacific Northwest owes much of its scenic beauty to almost unimaginable geologic activity, from moving tectonic plates and volcanic eruptions to retreating glaciers. The San Juan Islands were created when glaciers advanced out of Canada and filled Puget Sound with an estimated 2,383 cubic miles of ice. As the glaciers retreated, the melting ice formed a huge freshwater lake in Puget Sound where glacial till mixed with marine sediments. The retreating glaciers carved deep channels through these sediments. This activity resulted in ancient mountain tops becoming the islands. Today’s beaches are awash with a variety of rocks smoothed through the ages."

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Happy Halloween

2010-10-31T09:18:00.000-07:00

The Femme Fatale of Rosario Resort
Orcas Island, Washington
From the book "Ghost Stories of the Pacific Northwest" by Margaret Read McDonald

Rosario Resort on Orcas Island occupies the former mansion of Robert Moran. In 1939 the mansion changed owners and a flamboyant lady by the name of Alice Rheem took residence. Rumour has it that her husband bought the remote property as a useful place to ensconce Alice and her drinking habit. She became a familiar figure on the island, riding around on a motor scooter, often after one drink too many, sometimes dressed only in her red nightgown. And she was known to have a proclivity for handsome young soldiers, bringing them back to the mansion whenever her husband was away. Alice eventually died in the mansion, supposedly a victim of too much drink. But she seems not to have left quite yet.

In 1986 Alice was causing havoc. A tired housekeeping employee bedded down in an empty room in the mansion one night rather than drive home. Just as she was dropping off to sleep, she noticed a shadow pass across the wall. Turning on the light, she saw nothing. But the shadow moved again and something touched her hand. She waited and seeing nothing was about to trun off the light and go back to bed when she felt fingers caressing her hand. The girl bolted from the hotel, tossing the key to the desk clerk. "There's something in that room!" He shrugged, put the key back on the hook, and noticed that it was midnight.

As it happened, a trio of entertainers had been staying in the room next to her that night. They complained as they dropped off their key in the morning. "How long will that woman be staying next to us?" The desk clerk assured them that she had already left at midnight, the night before. But the entertainers had been kept awake all night, they said, by her carousing. Just before midnight they'd seen the light under the door go on and off three times. then the bed began to creak and the moans of passionate lovemaking started up. they were kept awake all night. The key to the room still hung on its hook and the desk clerk hadn't given it to anyone else. The hotel staff suspect that Alice was at work.

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Spa Open House

2010-10-30T10:59:00.000-07:00

Our talented Spa Therapists treated guests to a sampling of our spa menu services during a recent Spa Open House. Decléor Product representatives were on hand discussing and sampling their product. Local Nutritionist Beth Smith, R.D. provided a very healthy and delicious spread featuring "super foods of the season." Thank you all for a wonderful evening!

Massage Therapists Sukima Hampton, Michael Mitchell, Heather Segault and Erin Quies provide Open House guests an "AHHHH" moment.

Rosario neighbors meet by the fire.

Nutritionist Beth Smith, owner Jan Barto and Spa Director Jaylin Peacock discuss health and wellness.

Great food was provided by nutritionist Beth Smith, R.D.

Esthetician Kimberly Troub provided manicures and pedicures.

Decléor representatives Anita Sundaram and Roseanne Kahn discuss their product line.

The Quilted Pig Restaurant provided the wine.

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Great for Families!

2010-10-17T17:38:00.000-07:00

Check out the family that checked into the marina today!

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A Beautiful Orcas Island Day

2010-10-16T15:02:00.000-07:00

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How to Get a Ford

2010-09-22T17:01:00.000-07:00

"Take a little gasoline,
and get a little oil.
Take a little wire,
and make a little coil.
Get a little piece of tin,
and get a little board.
Put them together,
and you have a little Ford."

Look who stopped by Rosario Resort yesterday – The Three Rivers Model T Club for the Tri-Cities. They look right at home in front of the Moran Mansion!

A 1925 Model T Pick-Up (very few were made over a six month period).

A 1915 Model T "Touring" model.

A 1926 Model T.

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Marina Staff 2010

2010-09-19T09:41:00.000-07:00

FAREWELL TO OUR 2010 MARINA STAFF! Pictured with General Manager Christopher Peacock are Erik Hansen, Harbormaster Terry Jones, Kelsea Barto, Cara Peacock, Cody Smith, Matt Morrish, Noam Elkayam and Resident Manager Jolene Versailles. Jenole Peacock is pictured with her pet starfish. THANK YOU!

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Horse Chestnut R.I.P.

2010-09-14T16:37:00.000-07:00

It is with great sadness to report that the Horse Chestnut Tree in the Mansion Circle entrance fell over this past week. Combine 80 years, branches full of leaves and full grown chestnuts, add weight from rainwater and wind from the east against a mostly rotted trunk and you unfortunately get a tree on the ground. Several local craftsman gathered up the wood for future bowls and musical instruments!

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Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival

2010-08-18T17:52:00.000-07:00

Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival is celebrating its 13th season this year and recently held a reception at Rosario Resort & Spa. The two-week summer Chamber Music Festival features internationally renowned musicians, many of whom are drawn to return to perform with Artistic Director Aloysia Friedmann and Artistic Advisor Jon Kimura Parker.

It was a gorgeous day as guests entered along the mansion waterfront promenade, past the mansion pool to arrive at the pool lawn event. General Manager Christopher Peacock greets Jon Kimura Parker, internationally acclaimed concert pianist who has performed with orchestras all over the world and delighted Orcas Island audiences for years.

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Galileo at Rosario

2010-08-16T13:54:00.000-07:00

Rosario Resort recently hosted the Rosario Property Owners Association and a presentation by member Mark Thompson, who presented "Galileo 1610," a living history production; a dramatic, musical and comical odyssey back to the life and times of Galileo Galilei, the famous 17th century Italian scientist and philosopher. It commemorates the 400th anniversary of Galileo’s discoveries with his telescope in 1610.

Dressed in authentic Renaissance attire as Galileo, Mark Thompson, a cantorial soloist and amateur astronomer, tells the fascinating story of “The Father of Modern Science,” drawing from the actual correspondence and writings of Galileo, as well as those of his many biographers. His performance at Rosario also coincided with the height of the Perseid Meteor Showers, which were very visible later in the evening here on Orcas Island.

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Flags at Rosario

2010-08-14T22:03:00.000-07:00

We love flags at Rosario Resort!

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MV Olympus

2010-08-12T12:01:00.000-07:00

What a treat that the MV Olympus sailed into the Rosario Marina on Orcas Island!

The yacht was launched on May 14, 1929 at the New York Yacht, Launch and Engine Company yard in Morris Heights, New York. George Callendine Heck, who commissioned the yacht to be the largest ever built by the yard, was a partner in a Wall Street investment firm. During the glamorous 1920's, Mr. Heck used the yacht to commute from his two estates on Long Island to Wall Street, requiring her low profile design in order to avoid having the bridges opened during his commute to work. At the time of her launching, her original name was"Junaluska" in honor of the lake in North Carolina contained within the vast land holdings where Heck spent his childhood summers.

The yacht was purchased by George Converse (Converse Shoes) and his beautiful wife, silent film star Mary Stuart. Both experienced and able yachters, they bring the yacht on her own hull from the east coast, through the Panama Canal to her new home in Southern California. The yacht stayed busy in the Southern California social scene, as George Converse serves as Commodore of the Newport Harbor Yacht Club in 1940. She also picks up several movie roles including use as a prop in the Shirley Temple movie "Captain January" and the Claudette Colbert/Rudy Vallee movie "The Palm Beach Story." She travels back and forth between Long Beach, Los Angeles and Catalina Island. The busy social scene of the late 1930's and early 1940's is abruptly interrupted by World War II and the yacht is conscripted into service as a Navy Patrol vessel.

George Converse

Mary Stuart

The staterooms on the yacht feature a wonderful vintage swimsuit collection!

Following the War, the yacht is declared "surplus property" by the U.S. Government, and Washington Governor Monrad Wallgren finds out from his good friend, President Harry Truman, that the yacht is going to be auctioned. The State of Washington is the sole bidder for the boat, acquiring the ship for only $15,000 and putting her on the books of the State of Washington as a "fisheries patrol vessel." The yacht is renamed "Olympus" after Mount Olympus, the highest peak in the Olympic National Forest. President Truman and Governor Wallgren had worked hard on the legislation to form the Olympic National Forest and we are told that the re-naming of the yacht was in honor of one of Wallgren's proudest achievements. The yacht is completely refitted after her war service, at a cost of over $104,000 of Department of Fisheries funds. President Truman is aboard many times for informal and formal trips, fishing from Olympus' tender. The yacht transports President Truman from Bremerton to Seattle where he starts his "Whistle Stop" Train Campaign tour. The President signs the Olympus log "Harry Truman, Independence, MO, Temporary Address 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue."

Harry Truman boarding the MV Olympus

Captain Rick Etsell came up to the Moran Mansion at Rosario to show us this log entry of the christening of Olympus at Rosario:
Mon Sept. 10, 1945 - Rosario
10:54 Lady Violet Boede formally christened this vessel by name “Olympus.” Gov. Mon C. Wallgren & Mrs. Mon C. Wallgren attending. Guests were Mr. Boede, Mrs. Newman, Mr. and Mrs. Niemeyer, Mr. Splitrock (press).
11:02 Dept’d Rosario

M.V. Olympus is used frequently by her owner to support charitable and environmental causes, and is "open for boarding" at various classic boat shows in the Pacific Northwest during the year, for all to admire. We thank Captain Richard "Rick" Etsell for the wonderful tour of the Olympus!

Visit the Yacht Olympus Web Site

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Magic Forest

2010-08-02T11:43:00.000-07:00

My favorite part of weddings is checking out how the wedding planner has designed the reception space. Here is another fabulous Leslie Ginnes design (Patina Floral and Design) transforming the waterfront Discovery House into a magic forest... under the Orcas Island Sun!

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Zodiac Returns

2010-07-30T23:37:00.000-07:00

We have featured the schooner Zodiac on this blog before, but is always a treat to see her sailing by Rosario Resort.

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One by Land, One by Sea

2010-07-23T11:21:00.000-07:00

We have many beautiful weddings at Rosario Resort. Yesterday, Matt Marsik arrived on horseback at the marina and met his lovely bride Kelly, who arrived by boat.

The entire wedding party than walked to the Point Lawn for the ceremony. As you can see by the photos, Orcas Island offers some great opportunities for destination weddings.

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Summer is Here

2010-07-06T12:26:00.000-07:00

It's official... summer is here! Blue skies, warm weather, and the mansion swimming pool at Rosario Resort is officially open. Located dramatically on the shoreline of Orcas Island, the mansion pool is definitely the place to relax this summer.

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Delicious!

2010-06-22T09:36:00.000-07:00

Chef Madden of our new restaurant "The Quilted Pig" at Rosario Resort enjoys putting fun twists on classic dishes as well as creating innovative new cuisine ideas using locally grown, seasonal foods. “Working closely with local farmers is paramount to my business. It insures that we are using goods produced organically, sustainably, safely and humanly. The products raised and grown in the San Juan Islands are world class in quality and we are lucky to have them available right next door.”

Here's a sneak peak at some of his recent appetizers, small plates, large plates and desserts...

Beef Shortrib
Slow cooked Black Dog Farm beef shortrib with local turnips, carrots, onions, snow peas & Chimichurri sauce

Goat Cheese & Potato Ravioli
QQuail Croft goat cheese, & local new potato ravioli with Black Dog Farm broccoli, local duck egg & citrus vinaigrette

Duck Breast
Roasted Magret Duck Breast with La Campesina cardoons, barley, sweet onions, & Blue Moon Farm Arugula

Ahi Tartare
Diced ahi tuna with sesame yuzu dressing, sriracha crema, ocean salad, wasabi caviar and nori crisp

Smoked Scallop Brandade
House smoked scallop brandade with arugula brioche & black truffle vinaigrette

Wild Sturgeon
Columbia River Sturgeon with homemade fettuccine, local spinach, island grown scallions, sea beans & shiitake mushrooms

Apple Empanada
Fried granny smith apple empanada with maple caramel & homemade pecan ice cream

Coconut Cream Puff Pastry
Coconut Cream filled homemade puff pastry with banana brulée & cashews

Delicious!!!

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Shogun

2010-06-09T20:18:00.000-07:00

The Glidewell family recently visited Rosario Resort and Orcas Island aboard their beautiful yacht "Shogun." The Shogun, designed by Overing Yacht Designs, was the first megayacht built in Mississippi and launched in 1993. The 122' yacht features stunning asian inspired interiors and a first class crew!

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Great Blue Heron

2010-06-01T10:13:00.000-07:00

A Great Blue Heron, the largest heron in North America, patiently waits for a meal along the shore of Orcas Island at Rosario Resort. It is very common to see the herons standing silently along the shore, waiting for a fish to come by, which they then strike with their bills.

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Flower Baskets

2010-05-22T11:18:00.000-07:00

An annual tradition at Rosario Resort is the arrival of our lamp post flower baskets... special thanks to John Roberts of Green Frog Nursery in Bellingham who created this year's beautiful baskets! He and his wife began growing these baskets in his green houses in February.

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The Quilted Pig

2010-05-21T22:56:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Chef Madden Surbaugh for opening The Quilted Pig Restaurant at Rosario Resort today! General Manager Christopher Peacock welcomes Madden and his staff to the Rosario family! Small, intimate dining gives everyone a spectacular view of Orcas Island. For information on The Quilted Pig (and where the name came from!), visit the dining page of our website.

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Waterfront Accommodations

2010-05-14T11:05:00.000-07:00

We take many phone calls during the day in which we describe our accommodations. When we say our "Waterfront" rooms have decks located right over the water's edge, this picture will give you an idea that we are not exaggerating!

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I'll take "Resorts" for $100 Alex

2010-05-01T15:50:00.000-07:00

It was an honor to host Alex Trebek of Jeopardy and his wife Jean at Rosario Resort on their 20th Anniversary! Alex was so nice to take the time and chat with the staff and pose for this picture with Christopher. Happy Anniversary Alex and Jean!

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The Spa is Open!

2010-04-18T13:26:00.000-07:00

The Spa at Rosario Resort is now open! Our crew of Deena, Bobby, Dave, Andrew, Heather and Scott have done a great job with their talent and passion. Here is a peak at the century old indoor pool, the newly remodeled whirpool area and the new women's changing room.

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Bird's Eye View

2010-04-16T20:22:00.000-07:00

Here is a great shot of Rosario Resort and Orcas Island from high atop Mt. Entrance. Rosario neighbor John Fletcher shared this shot after a long hike to the top. What a great perspective of the resort.... thanks Fletch!

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February Flowers!

2010-02-16T16:37:00.000-08:00

With most of the country experiencing a harsh winter, the Pacific Northwest is experiencing one of the warmest winters on record. Spring is in full bloom at Rosario Resort and on Orcas Island.... in February!

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Spa Remodel

2010-01-19T16:19:00.000-08:00

The big project this winter at Rosario Resort on has been our spa restoration and renovation. It has been awhile since the fiberglass coating on the pool has been repaired. Here is a picture of it before painting...

The former boutique area is becoming a relaxation area for guest enjoyment pre and post therapy treatments. This is the Moran Mansion's former recreation area and the tile work is amazing!

In searching for leaks, we stripped the dry wall to the original concrete walls, uncovering a few hidden windows and the original paint colors of the stucco wall (notice the mustard color halfway up).

Here is another original color on one wall with a mysterious oval and iron hook. When looking very closely at an original Moran picture of the area, we discovered this was where a moose head had hung!

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Happy 2010!

2010-01-01T16:59:00.000-08:00

Neighbor Beth Smith took this photo at dawn over Rosario Resort and Cascade Bay on Orcas Island. As she sent this to me today, it seemed appropriate to be the first post of 2010. Happy New Year!

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Merry Christmas

2009-12-24T16:39:00.000-08:00

Lavender Popcicles

2009-12-02T11:48:00.000-08:00

Recent cold weather on Orcas Island made ice form on the Rosario Resort lagoon fountains. This weighted them down and redirected the water onto the surrounding lavender, forming lavender popcicles!

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Halloween Speakeasy

2009-11-02T15:15:00.000-08:00

The Moran Room at Rosario became a 1920's Speakeasy on Halloween night. Silent film star Zetta Zarbo hosted North Side crime boss Hal Sapone and South Side gangster boss Beanie O'Dannon. It was a great night until one of the guests ended up dead...Oh well, the party pretty much continued until the murder was caught. The moral of the story was a line from one of Silent FIlm star Zetta Zarbo's movies, "_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ "

Here are the Guys...

Here are the Gals...

Here are the Guys and Gals...

Fall Canvas

2009-10-30T10:30:00.000-07:00

Here are a few more fall vignettes from around Rosario Resort. Season to season, Orcas Island is always spectacular!

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Fall Foliage

2009-10-20T18:26:00.000-07:00

It has been a beautiful fall on Orcas Island. The fall colors have been spectacular with the diverse variety of trees around the grounds of Rosario Resort.

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Night Light

2009-09-20T12:53:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Maintenance Engineer Bobby Matheson for all his effort in keeping the Moran Mansion and Rosario Resort grounds all lit up! Still powered by Robert Moran's original hydro electric plant, the mansion had to be an amazing site for those arriving to Orcas Island by boat over a century ago.

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Safe Harbor

2009-09-07T09:44:00.000-07:00

The San Juan Islands had two days of high winds over this Labor Day Weekend, but our Rosario Marina staff did a great job in bringing all the boats in safely. This photo from last night is definitely the calm after the storm.

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Workplace Obstruction

2009-09-04T22:28:00.000-07:00

If you have been to Rosario Resort on Orcas Island, you know that numerous deer make themselves at home on our grounds. This buck is definitely slowing our groundskeeper Brieanna Bitzer down a bit, since her job on this day is to mow the lawn the deer is laying on!

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Rainbow's End

2009-09-01T19:42:00.000-07:00

This evening a rainbow appeared to end at the Rosario Resort Marina on Orcas Island!

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Last Day of August

2009-08-31T22:32:00.000-07:00

Here are two stunning displays of color on the historic lamp posts at Rosario Resort. The first features the summer colors of the flower baskets being overwhelmed by the quickly changing fall colors of the trees (too quickly!) The second is on the neighboring lamp where a Stellar's Jay was sitting, complimenting the beautiful blue and purple hues of the flower baskets below.

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Patina Design

2009-08-30T15:30:00.000-07:00

One of our favorite wedding designers at Rosario Resort is Leslie Ginnes of Patina Floral Design here on Orcas Island. She provided a cool lime theme at yesterday's wedding at Rosario... perfect for a beautiful summer evening!

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Orcas Moon

2009-07-08T08:15:00.000-07:00

Another beautiful scene at Rosario Resort - the "Orcas Moon."

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Oh Deer

2009-07-07T15:20:00.000-07:00

The deer are plentiful around Rosario Resort on Orcas Island. It is a magical place for the young at heart!

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The World Comes to the San Juans

2009-07-06T07:32:00.000-07:00

The World came to the San Juan Islands yesterday. It only took us a few minutes to circumnavigate the World, but it is big! Rarely does a ship this size stop in the islands, although many go by on their way to Alaska from Seattle. It is a private condo ship, with each luxury cabin (suite!) being privately owned (sweet!).

Once we left this World, we returned to our world.... a Washington State Ferry passed by!

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Happy 4th of July

2009-07-04T23:57:00.000-07:00

Happy 4th! One of the great things about watching the fireworks on Orcas Island is the amazing reflections created in the surrounding water.
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Moran Centennial House Tour

2009-06-23T14:57:00.000-07:00

The Robert Moran built homes open to the public for last Sunday's "Moran Centennial House Tour," included Moran's White Beach House, which was built by Moran after he sold Rosario on Orcas Island in 1938...

... and the recently restored Moran Bungalow, one of several Rosario area homes built by Moran for family and staff.

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Centennial Celebration

2009-06-22T11:18:00.000-07:00

In celebration of the Moran Family moving into the Moran Mansion at Rosario on June 21, 1909, over 100 islanders where at Rosario's Centennial Celebration yesterday. The celebration culminated the “Moran Centennial House Tour,” a fundraiser for the Orcas Island Historical Society and Museum. The event featured four Robert Moran built homes, including Robert Moran’s White Beach home, built after Moran sold Rosario in 1938. Deer Harbor Charters transported tour guests from Rosario’s dock to the Moran White Beach home.

Robert Moran's Great-Granddaughter Becky Burns (center) paid tribute to Robert Moran's legacy, and welcomed Rosario's new owners, Craig, Jerry and Jan Barto (right) to the mansion and its next 100 years. General Manager Christopher Peacock (left) reported that over $4000 was raised by the event for the Orcas Island Historical Society and Museum.

In honor of Rosario's Centennial, a new guest registry, hand made by Orcas Island artisan Susie Shipman, was signed first by Becky Burns.

Other Moran family decendants in attendance were Orcas Islanders Patty Moran-Hodge (Great-Granddaughter), and her children Melissa and Winslow (Great-Great-Grandchildren)!

Flying all the way from New York City for the weekend was Malia (left), Great-Great-Grandaughter of Robert Moran. Next to Malia is her stepfather Stuart, mother Becky and Jerry and Jan Barto. The Barto Family enjoyed meeting many from the Orcas Island community and honoring the Moran legacy.

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Moran Mansion Centennial

2009-06-21T08:11:00.000-07:00

The Moran Family moved into the Moran Mansion at Rosario on Orcas Island on June 21, 1909. The original guest register is on display in our lobby this summer thanks to the Burns Family (Moran
relatives).

The first entry in the register is by Mrs. Moran, who wrote "We moved in this house on this day."
The second entry is by Robert Moran, who wrote "A House built on a Rock."

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Low Tides

2009-06-20T14:06:00.000-07:00

Low tides bring an upclose look at the incredible sea life in Cascade Bay at Rosario Resort on Orcas Island!

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June Wedding

2009-06-07T22:46:00.000-07:00

Our first June wedding of the year brought a Chinese theme to the Compass Room at Rosario Resort.
Ju-Hsuan Cheng came all the way from Florida to Orcas Island for her wedding, with many family
members visiting from Taiwan.

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MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

2009-05-24T09:17:00.000-07:00

It's a beautiful Memorial Day Weekend on Orcas Island! The Rosario Resort marina is full, the Cascade Bay Grill is open and the marina pool is open. A very special thanks to Director of Operations Jolene Versailles, Director of IT Dick Hansen, Front Desk agent Barbara Evans, Harbormaster Gary Joseph, Dockhands Cetacea Stanton, Jenole and Cara Peacock, Director of Engineering Deena Stitt and her staff Dave Hickman, Bobby Matheson, Andrew Fortin and Brieanna Bitzer for all their hard work in making Rosario look so beautiful!

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Jelly Fish!

2009-04-28T19:37:00.000-07:00

Today we we were treated with a "smack" of Moon Jellies at the Rosario Resort Marina in Cascade Bay, some of the most simple and incredible creatures in Puget Sound. Moon Jellies are probably the most common jellyfish in the Northwest, and they have transparent, milky white bells rimmed with hundreds of short, hair-like tentacles.

Though they are called "jellyfish," Moon Jellies aren't really fish at all. Instead, they are considered Hydrozoa, and they have no heads, no skeletons, and no special organs for respiration or excretion. Their scientific name is Aurelia aurita, which comes from the Latin word for "light." Some scientists think Moon Jellies got this name because, instead of eyes, they have special cells called rhopalia that detect light.

Moon Jellies are found in the Atlantic Ocean from the Arctic to Florida and Mexico, and in the Pacific Ocean from Alaska to southern California. They're also found right here in Puget Sound! Huge masses of them are called smacks, which drift with the current near the beach.

The Jellies swim by expanding and contracting their bell, an action that forces water away and pushes the critter in the opposite direction. Every Moon Jelly also has four oral arms, frilled along one edge, hanging from the center of this bell. The four horseshoe shapes you spot in the center of the bell are the gonads, or sex organs. In young Moon Jellies, called polyps, these gonads are white. In mature animals, dubbed medusas, the gonads are tinged with color. The coloration of a moon jelly often changes depending on its diet. If the jelly feeds extensively on crustaceans, it turns pink or lavender. An orange tint hints that a jelly’s been feeding on brine shrimp. (Moon Jelly information courtesy of the Seattle Aquarium).

It was an incredible sight!

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First Wedding of 2009

2009-04-19T22:18:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a beautiful spring day on Orcas Island and we were happy to host our first wedding of the year at Rosario Resort! Congratulations to Yelizaveta and Jonathan!

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Busy Winter

2009-03-07T19:06:00.000-08:00

We have been very busy this winter cleaning, painting and preparing to reopen! As I walked around the property the other day I was so impressed with how hard everyone was working (with such pride and love for Rosario). I ran and got my camera to capture the activity:

Deena is seen here painting a former office that will become the "Battleship" room in our expanded
Moran Mansion Museum.

In another former office, Bobby is removing a 1950's linoleum floor to reveal 100 year old teak!

Dave has been power washing, power washing, power washing!

Gary has been very busy preparing the marina (OK, I got him to pose for this picture as he had just stopped cleaning... he even put his wet shoes back on!).

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Moran State Park Webcam

2009-01-02T21:04:00.001-08:00

The Friends of Moran State Park have sponsored a new webcam on the top of Mt. Constitution on Orcas Island. Here is one of the first images from today. Although the snow has melted in the "lowlands,"
Mt. Constitution was just spectacular with an abundance of snow in the sunshine today. The webcam will go live soon, so keep checking the Friends of Moran website for more spectacular views:

Go to Friends of Moran Web Site

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Merry Christmas

2008-12-25T10:34:00.000-08:00

Christmas Eve

2008-12-24T16:53:00.000-08:00

Winter Wonderland

2008-12-23T10:02:00.000-08:00

We've had tremedous amount of snow in the past few weeks on Orcas Island. It makes for a beautiful backdrop to the Rosario Resort Christmas decorations. Even though the resort is closed, the mansion and grounds are still alive with holiday spirit.

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New Rosario Owners

2008-11-17T16:19:00.000-08:00

On November 14, Jerry and Jan Barto of Anacortes became the official owners of Rosario Resort & Spa. Christopher Peacock presents Jerry & Jan an original Rosario key made by Rosario creator Robert Moran.

“We are excited to be the owners and caretakers of Rosario,” stated Jerry, who along with his son Craig Barto, are the principles in the new ownership group called Rosario Signal LLC. “As Fidalgo Island residents and boaters in the San Juans, we’ve always loved the islands and understand Rosario’s importance to the region. We look forward to working with the Orcas Island community to help Rosario reach its potential under the Resort’s approved Master Plan. Restoring the Moran/Rosario legacy will be a project to be proud of.”

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Thank you!

2008-10-21T09:45:00.000-07:00

Employee Closing Party

2008-10-20T21:18:00.000-07:00

Rosario Resort closed today for future renovation and redevelopment. Although the future is exciting, it was wonderful to gather with all the current resort employees one last time in the Moran Lounge.

General Manager Dan Dohner thanks the staff and shares with everyone his 10 most hilarious moments over the past year. We hope Dan and his wife Laura do return next summer to enjoy a complimentary whale watching excursion ;-)

Rosario's sales, reservations and catering staff gathered one last time to salute the ghost of Mrs. Rheem (who wore a red nightgown to play poker with the local boys at the general store in the 1940's and 50's).

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Happy Birthday Sarah Geiser!

2008-10-19T19:09:00.000-07:00

Sarah Geiser, former owner of Rosario Resort & Spa on Orcas Island, celebrated her 80th Birthday with family and friends yesterday. With all the anticipation for Rosario's new ownership and future, it is always comforting to be anchored with Sarah's wisdom, beauty and grace. Happy Birthday Sarah, we love you!

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Rosario Sold

2008-10-03T16:30:00.000-07:00

Rosario Resort & Spa is being purchased by an Anacortes-based, family-owned investment and development group with deep roots in the San Juans. The group is slated to take over the resort on or around October 30th.

“We are excited to be the future owners of Rosario. As Fidalgo Island residents and boaters in the San Juans, we’ve always loved the islands and understand Rosario’s importance to the region. We look forward to working with the Orcas Island community to help Rosario reach its potential under the Resort’s approved Master Plan. Restoring the Moran/Rosario legacy will be a project to be proud of.”

The current ownership, Olympus Real Estate Partners of Dallas, TX, is closing the resort on October 20th and the new ownership group has yet to announce when the resort will reopen.

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Rare Roundhouse Photo

2008-09-27T12:51:00.000-07:00

Here is a rare photo of the Roundhouse at Rosario Resort circa 1918-20. Anchored in Cascade Bay is the Moran's newly built ship the Sanwan. This is also one of the few photos that shows the lumber storage area for the sawmill along the waterfront (to the right of the Sanwan). Like the Moran Shipyards, a small gage railway system moved lumber on and off the dock. Today, original railway ties are still seen at low tide and Roundhouse is one of our most popular suites!

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Faces of the USS Nebraska

2008-08-30T12:21:00.000-07:00

When Robert Moran retired to Orcas Island in 1905 to build Rosario, the Moran Bros. Shipyard was finishing the construction of the USS Nebraska (BB-14). The ship was commission on July 1, 1907, with Captain Reginald F. Nicholson in command. After shakedown and alterations along the West Coast, the new battleship joined the "Great White Fleet" in San Francisco 100 years ago in the summer of 1908.

Departing San Francisco in July of 1908, the Fleet visited Honolulu, Hawaii; Auckland, New Zealand; Sydney and Melbourne, Australia; Manila, Philippine Islands; Yokohama, Japan; and Colombo, Ceylon, Suez, Egypt,Messina and Naples, Italy, then Gibraltar, before arriving in Hampton Roads, Virginia in February 1909, where President Theodore Roosevelt reviewed the fleet.

Below are some great photographs featuring faces of the USS Nebraska, from officers to deckhands to engineers. These were recently provided to the Rosario Museum courtesy of the Stowe Family, relatives of Robert Moran's brother William's wife Minnie.

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Deer Harbor Charters

2008-08-23T11:47:00.000-07:00

Whale watching is certainly a highlight for many of our guests visiting Orcas Island. Here is a great story I just received from Tom Averna, owner of Deer Harbor Charters, Rosario Resort & Spa's whale watching charter out of the Rosario marina:

Yesterday our boat from Rosario Resort was spending time with J and L pod watching them intermingle, forage and mate. The mating became very up close and personal.

With the engine off, the boat was drifting about 200 yards away from the whales. The closest whales to the boat was a male from L pod, which the naturalist thinks was L-57, Faith, a 26 year old and an unknown J pod female.

These two whales disappeared below the surface and suddenly came up within 20 yards of the boat. Way to close to move the boat out of the area. They then slowly approached the boat on the surface. As the whales approached the cameras on board began going off at lightning speed because everyone on board knew they were witnessing something very rarely seen in the wild. The whales could easily be seen just below the surface belly to belly as they came under the boat, continuing about 50 yards further past the boat finally coming up to the surface. The whales then separated from eachother and went to catch up to the rest of the whales.

The trust these whales displayed during one of the most important, intimate moments was felt by everyone on the boat. Peter, the captain told me there was complete silence for minutes after the encounter. Then the smiles appeared and nothing else needed to be said.

It's to bad the crew couldn't positively identify the female. However,17 months from now, if a newborn arrives we will have a fairly good idea who the father is

Tom Averna
Deer Harbor Charters

There is great whale watching through early October, so take the time to have this great life experience!

Photo courtesy of Charles Scheper and Deer Harbor Charters.

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Marina Farewell

2008-08-17T09:23:00.000-07:00

Here are some of the 2008 Rosario Resort & Spa Marina staff wishing Jenole and Cara Peacock (left) farewell as they head off to the University of Hawaii. Joining them are Harbormaster Gary Joseph (left, on boat), Sevil Hamarat (from Denizli, Turkey) and fellow Orcas Islander Cetacea Stanton. Tradition has the staff jumping in the water (cold!) on their last day, but Cetacea and Sevil wanted to join them! It appears Sevil had second thoughts, but then joined them!

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Employee of the Month

2008-08-16T15:15:00.000-07:00

Our Employee of the Month for July is Carolen Richey, who handles Rosario Resort & Spa's accounts receivable. Congratulating Carolen is Controller Bob Sheidler. Carolen moved from Kona, Hawaii to Orcas Island in 1988. At the time, her father and brother also worked at Rosario Resort. Carolen has been an employee of the year in the past, so you know she does an outstanding job and is loved by her co-workers! Congratulations Carolen!

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08/08/08

2008-08-09T11:05:00.000-07:00

8/8/08 is a popular date this year for weddings (not just the Olympics!). Here are pictures from the beautiful ceremony of Anita Ortiz and Ben Little on the Point Lawn and the Eagle Vista Tent awaiting their guests. The wedding cake is by Rosario Resort & Spa's Pastry Chef Felicity Milne. What a beautiful day to be on Orcas Island! Congratulations Anita and Ben!

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Dr. Doolittle

2008-08-07T09:35:00.000-07:00

Here is a great shot of a recent Rosario Resort & Spa guest introducing her pet bird to our friendly Orcas Island deer! OK, her name is not Doolittle, but Trierweiler and the bird is "Taco." Thanks for visiting!

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August Dawn

2008-08-06T07:56:00.000-07:00

I was up early this morning (for those who know me, this is very rare!) to capture the magic of an August dawn on Orcas Island. As I watched all the boats anchor last night while playing piano in the Mansion Dining Room, I though this would be the perfect morning to photograph the tranquility of a summer morning on Cascade Bay. I hope you enjoy these pre-sunrise shots!

Christopher

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