Shaw Island is the smallest of the San Juan islands, a tiny green jewel, private, quiet, carefully guarded with no development permitted. Just sandy beaches, easy biking and hiking trails through the woods, a quaint general store providing all needs, an old red school, a small island museum, and a little library. The island is shared by reclusive billionaires and Benedictine nuns and the nuns are probably the more hospitable of the two. Stroll or bike through the scenic shorelines at the Shaw County Park or the biological reserve run by the University of Washington. While nuns used to practically run the island, ferry included, until few decades ago, today they running Our Lady of the Rock Benedictine monastery and welcome visitors to their well-run farm. If you want to stay longer, there is a lovely campsite in the woods along the beach with views of the Olympic Mountains.

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