Hello Lopez Island Event OOPSters! In about two weeks we’ll be at the Lopez Island Event! The long-range weather forecast looks good, but it’s always wise to bring along some rain gear.
Here are the campsite assignments:
Sites 40-47 are in the Group loop, at the top of the hill. The other sites are in the general campground area.
40 – Elizabeth C and Liz P
41 – Claudia M, Nan N, and Kathleen W
42 – Mike & Sharon K, and Julia
43 – Connie L (Concierge), Mona W, and Coco W
44 – Jon & Eveyln M*
45 – Ned L & Margaret L*, and Kathy B & Mart H*
46 – Kerry S & Fred H
47 – Bruce P & Tom N
5 – Ron H, Paula B, and Kate D**
6 – HQ: Chris Mayou (Event Mgr), Rich Becker (Trips), and Susan D**
13 – Mark & Janell N-R, and Steve G
14 –Joe H, and Jens H
17 – Kent S & Kate M
* I haven’t seen these sites individually. For the folks in sites 44 and 45, if one of them is larger, please have two couples in it and one in the other.
** HQ will be either Site 5 or 6. That will be determined when we arrive.
Campsites are reserved Thursday through Sunday nights, and the event officially ends Monday morning. No paddle trips are planned for Monday. Campground checkout is noon Monday.
Check-in:
Check-in is 2:00 p.m. or after on Thursday. You can see information about the park here: http://www.sanjuanco.com/495/Lopez-Island.
When you check in at the Registration Booth, you will state the campsite number assigned to you and indicate that it has been paid by OOPS. If you have any difficulty with this, please let me know. I'll be at Site 6 and (hopefully) available by mobile phone: 503-510-2005. Texts are fine. [HQ will be either Site 5 or 6. That will be determined when we arrive..]
If the ranger at the Registration Booth indicates that the site is already occupied, you will need to pay the extra vehicle fee for the number of nights you intend to stay. $11 per night. I have OOPS funds to reimburse anyone who pays the second-car fee. I’ll need your receipt.
If you arrive after the Entrance Registration Booth is closed, you will need to drive to the campsite to see if you are the first person there. If you are first, follow the instructions posted at the registration booth to register after hours. If you are the second party, return to the registration booth and fill out an extra vehicle form, include your payment, leave in drop box, and seek reimbursement from me. If you arrive really late, feel free to wait until the next day to seek reimbursement! :-)
The phone number of the park office is: (360) 378-8420
We should have good cell phone reception; if not at the park, then certainly nearby.
Event Forum—please subscribe on the OOPS website
Want to send a message to others going to Lopez? Want to receive those messages? Subscribe to the Event forum on the OOPS website: https://oregonoceanpaddlingsociety.wildapricot.org/Trips-Forum/6559471
Getting there
I couldn’t seem to find an actual address for the park! This works in Google Maps: Odlin County Park, Odlin Park Road, Lopez Island, WA.
Driving directions: After exiting the ferry, travel one mile on Ferry Road; turn right on Odlin Park Road. The group campsite is on your left, just as you enter the park (Sites 40-47). The individual sites are down the hill near the beach.
OOPS Activities and Daily Trip Sign-ups
Please see the separate emails from Connie (concierge) and Rich (Trip Czar). Things to bring if you have them: Helmet, wheels, locking strap/cable.
Here is information I sent earlier:
Important Contact Information:
Your Event Manager (Chris Mayou) and your Trip Czar (Rich Becker) will be at the Broken Group islands on Vancouver Island from Thursday, Sept. 7th through Tuesday, Sept. 11th. We may not have cell coverage! Please think ahead and try to get any questions or concerns to us prior to Sept. 7th.
Connie Lively, our concierge and experienced Event Staffer, will be available to answer any questions between Sept. 7th and 11th that might otherwise have gone to Rich or I. See Event Staff contact information at the bottom of this email.
Showers
There are no showers at the park. The showers in Lopez Village Park require quarters. They are just over three miles from the campground; an easy seven-minute drive. There is plenty of parking and lawn to relax on nearby while wait your turn for the showers. Perhaps plan to stop by the showers on your way back to the park after your day’s kayak trip. This location works in Google Maps: Lopez Village Park, Lopez Island, WA.
Island Services
When you’re not paddling, you can certainly explore the island. Remember to use the Lopez wave as you drive around. You’ll find galleries, gift shops, bakeries and coffee shops.
There are two well-stocked grocery stores, the Village Market www.lopezvillagemarket.com and Blossom Grocery which features local and organic selections www.blossomgrocery.com
There is a pharmacy and medical clinic on the island. If you enjoy road biking, Lopez is flatter than other San Juan Islands. You’ll be sharing the road with vehicles.
The farmer’s market is over for the season, according to their website. ☹
See more information at these two websites:
https://www.visitsanjuans.com/about-the-islands/lopez-island
http://www.lopezisland.com/
Ferry
You will use Washington State ferries to reach Lopez Island. Reservations are strongly suggested; I hope you already made yours. Reservations are NOT available for the return trip, but there is a 10:45 a.m. ferry that loads first on Lopez on Monday morning, so early-risers should have no problem getting on it.
https://www.wsdot.com/Ferries/Schedule/scheduledetailbyroute.aspx?route=ana-sj
If you have any questions about the trip, try this OOPS website page first
https://oregonoceanpaddlingsociety.wildapricot.org/San-Juan-Islands-Images-and-Information
Contact (phone and email) information for your Event Staff
Event Manager -- Chris Mayou – 503-510-2005 – chrismayou@gmail.com
Trips Czar -- Rich Becker -- 503-246-4997 -- richbecker4997@gmail.com
Concierge – Connie Lively -- 503-201-5303-- conlively1@gmail.com