It has been nice weather for the last few weeks and last Sunday the gate in the road to the summit of Mt. Grant was open to vehicles. The air was clear, so the views were great in all directions. Anyone with a camera or a kite would have had a great time.

All week the same clear views have been exceptional, but the gate is closed weekdays so a bit of a hike is required to get to the top of the mountain. Not a long hike but it does have some rather steep parts so be sure to take some water with you and allow an hour for a leisurely, mostly shaded, walk.

After visiting the mountain when it was subdivided for residential properties, called Lawson Ridge, I was surprised to learn that the original name of the mountain, on old maps, was “Mt. Grant” perhaps dating from the Civil War times, mid-1800’s.

As an original Land Bank member of the Board of Directors in the early 1990’s, I have warm memories of discussions about various properties and the different methods of obtaining and holding land for the use and enjoyment of county residents and guests.

Those questions have been answered many times over the past 20-plus years and the current partnership of the Land Bank and the Preservation Trust acquiring Mt. Grant presents a great opportunity for the public to have a personal stake in helping the people gain title to one of the finest hilltops on San Juan Island.

Contributions to the Preservation Trust to help them fund their share or the total cost are more than welcome: you will be contributing to future generations of Island residents.

George D. Steed

San Juan Island