I'm a little embarrassed to admit that in the near decade since I reviewed the first edition of Washington State's San Juan Islands (VL-5/87), I still haven't visited a single one of the 172 named islands located in the upper Puget Sound area, even though they are technically--excuse the geographical jargon--right in my own backyard. But I may have to pack up the shorts and sunscreen, as filmmaker Nancy Wright's half-hour overview--boasting all-new footage--makes the islands look even more beautifully inviting on DVD. Instructing viewers on how to island-hop by ferry, this nicely photographed tour stops off at the islands of Lopez, Orcas, and San Juan, visiting major scenic and historic sites (viewers will learn, for instance, about the infamous Pig War incident, which sparked a territorial rights battle between the British and the Americans), while also capturing the wide array of recreational activities available, including biking, kayaking, beachcombing, whale watching, wine sampling, and shopping. Interesting trivia note: San Juan's Friday Harbor is named after Joe Friday (the sheepherder, not the laconic TV police detective). Recommended. Aud: P. (R. Pitman)
Washington State's San Juan Islands
(2004) 30 min. VHS or DVD: $19.95. Hatzoff Productions. PPR. Color cover. Volume 20, Issue 5
Washington State's San Juan Islands
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As of March 2022, Video Librarian has changed from a four-star rating system to a five-star one. This change allows our reviewers to have a wider range of critical viewpoints, as well as to synchronize with Google’s rating structure. This change affects all reviews from March 2022 onwards. All reviews from before this period will still retain their original rating. Future film submissions will be considered our new 1-5 star criteria.
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