Will we get bored at Lake Chelan?
 

Washington is completely unchartered territory for us so we have a lot to learn. One thing I have learned is the beginning of Nov. is not an ideal time to visit, but that's what was available and so we are going regardless.
What do you think? Should we cut away from our planned 7 night stayed at Lake Chelan and spend 3 nights and 2 days elsewhere?
We plan to go to the wineries, explore the N. Cascades (will the weather/conditions permit it?), the boys are trying to talk us girl's into maybe a float plane to Stehekin, and 'happytrailstoyou' suggested a drive to Winthrop for lunch in the bar at Sun Mountain Lodge. We'd rather keep the pace up rather than have a relaxing vacation, so I'm trying to determine if we will get bored in this area (due to the weather inhibiting us, or just not enough to do for 6 days).

There is also the apple growing region around Wenatchee and Cashmere and the alpine themed village of Leavenworth, with both downhill and cross county skiing available if there is enough snow that early. And you could visit Grand Coulee Dam.

Personally I wouldn't spend a week at Lake Chelan in bad weather. What's "to do" there, I think of as all the summer kind of things, swimming, boating, etc.

In such a dreary month weather wise, I might add some city time, right in Seattle, where the weather doesn't change plans.

Forgive my ignorance, but snow that early? Really?! We will be there Nov 4th-12th.
I've been doing some research. If you all think 6 days at Lake Chelan might be too long in this area for the month of Nov, what about the idea of driving back towards Seattle on the 9th and heading to Orca or San Juan for 2 nights? Maybe glimpse a whale?? Then one afternoon and a night in Seattle before we head home?
Another option would be to drive to Vancouver for a couple nights, then one night in Seattle? But I'm a bit worried that Vancouver would be overwhelming and stressful for such a short amount of time.
We've invited friends to join us on this trip, so I want to make sure it's a nice time for everyone and we get as much out of it as we can.

Six days in Lake Chelan in November would be too many for me. Suze is right about it being an appealing summer destination, winter not so much. Snow could definitely be falling in the Cascades in November (for sure, rain will be), you might encounter snow on the drives through the passes to get to Chelan...and it's supposed to be a snowy, harsh winter this year according to the weather experts.

More Seattle time is a wise recommendation...you can easily spend 2 nights in Seattle and have plenty to do. The San Juans are lovely, but with your big loop to Chelan, it might be easier to visit Whidbey Island...closer than the San Juans but still has cute waterfront towns Langley and Coupeville and several state parks for walking. Better dining options than Chelan, too.

Early November will be too early for skiing. Snow may fall in the passes, but skiing typically doesn't start til at least Thanksgiving, often later.

I agree though, November is not a good time for Lake Chelan, IME.

Seattle and Vancouver are similarly sized BIG cities with lots to see and do. Lake Chelan and the San Juan Islands are similarly quiet with nothing much "to do". I guess my point is I wouldn't bother leaving Chelan, to go to the islands, as I think what you'd find in both places... well... is similar
:-)

If I recall correctly, you considered going to Victoria at the beginning of your trip.

Since this is your first time in the NW, I think it would be worth your while to spend some time in Seattle and perhaps Vancouver (a great city) or Victoria (a charming provincial town).

Seattle and Vancouver have big music scenes and cultural life, which will be in full swing while you're here.

I also agree that a day trip to Orcas or San Juan Island would we a good thing to do. We like SJI because we can go on the ferry as foot passengers and travel around the island on local transport.

At Chelan you could have the adventure of the float plane trip, explore the wineries on the NE shore of Lake Chelan, and you could spend one day on the aforementioned drive up the Columbia River and through the Methow Valley to Winthrop and Sun Mountain Lodge (this is a very beautiful drive--both ways).

I think your November trip will whet your appetite for returning to the NW some July or August--months that are usually summery here.

HTTY


It is also possible that something fun or funky will be happening in Wenatchee while you are in Chelan. That could be an enjoyable small-town experience.

You are right, we did consider Victoria. Really wanted to fit it in and would prefer it over Vancouver b/c of the limited time we have, but based on the Seattle to Victoria ferry schedule as well as a suggestion that the weather in Nov. would probably result in a not so easy ferry ride to Victoria, we figured it would be too difficult to add Victoria to our schedule. The only ferry leaves very early in the morning. It would be too difficult to drive in from Lake Chelan and make it on time.

We were given a place to stay at Lake Chelan as a last minute gift, so that is why it's our Nov. destination. We could leave that area early though. We could even reverse this plan and do something different at the beginning of our trip instead. That is why we are looking at some different options.
Started looking at whale tours and that's when the Islands became of interest.
Waiting to hear back from the n. cascades NP about what to expect as far as restricted parts of the park in Nov. due to weather and that will help us decide how long we want to stay in Lake Chelan.

Will need to speak to our friends to see how they would feel about going to a big city for a couple of days vs one of the Islands instead. Two completely different experiences.
Thanks for the input. The info. will help me to better explain it to our friends.

I'd definitely add in Victoria and it doesn't feel like a "big city".

just wanted to note, november is definitely well past whale watching season in the san juans so i would not count on seeing orcas--the chances are pretty slim.

Problem is, there are just too many interesting things to see and do in and around Seattle. ; ) Lots of choices, so little time. I agree, we'll get a taste, and want to return. I'm leaning towards concentrating on Lake Chelan, et al, then Seattle or the Islands. Save Victoria/Vancouver for another trip..much as I would LOVE to fit it into this one.
Will take a vote and decide.
I thought I read that the Orca's will be around until December? No?

I'm no expert this was just from a quick Google search:
<Orca Whale Watching Season 2010: April 3 to October 23>

Suze is right. I note a major whale watching tour operator on SJI does not accept reservations after October: http://orcawhalewatch.com/

HTTY

We were just up in the North cascades this past weekend and when we stopped at the viewpoint at Washington Pass (the high point on Rt 20) it was snowing. A wet snow that was melting soon but it was snow and that was Sept. 5th. So yes, snow on Rt 20 in November in the North Cascades area is a very real possibility.

Orcas usually are not here in the San Juan area after Sept and often not seen in Sept either. These resident Orcas's travel to other areas to get fish and are only here really in the summer months. The islands are beautiful though.

IMO suggestions to spend time in the Seattle area on your trip are good ones considering the time of year. Do recall that days are short here in the far north in the winter months and sunset is early so less daylight hours to see things outside.

When I opened today's edition of the "Seattle Times" (9/23/2010), I thought of you! Here is a link to a good article about Chelan: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/htm...rs/?from=stnv1

HTTY

Note that North Cascades National Park has nothing in the way of development--it's really a hikers' park. So, to explore the park you're looking at lengthy day hikes at best. It will defintely be cold up there, too.

November will probably be very wet, cold and windy in the San Juans. I love the islands but that's a terrible time of year for them. I agree with others, stick to the cities.

HTTY beat me to it! I was reading today's paper in the lunchroom just now and saw this same article. It talked about all the wineries and good restaurants in the area.

You should be all right in early November as far as getting across the Cascades. Highway 20 almost always closes in the winter due to snow, but the median date for shutting down is late November. Just be sure to check with the Washington State Mountain Pass Report site: http://wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes/P...adeHwySR20Link before starting across. Early heavy snows could make it a bit snotty, and/or require require you to use chains.

Thanks for the link to the article. I've printed it out and put it in our file. Sounds tasty!
Will certainly check out the link to the road conditions and closure's as well. Thanks for adding that.
Yes, not the best time of the year to travel up there, but we'll make the best of it regardless. Never been, so everything will be interesting.