STUART ISLAND/BIG BAY

Saturday, August 2, 2025

Saturday Spa Day! Last year we discovered that we can get spa treatments at the swanky Sonora Lodge across the channel from where we are docked at Stuart Island, just a quick 5 minute ride in the tender. Five of us ladies had appointments at 10am this morning for Massage/Facial Combo – what a treat! Sonora is a bit snooty and proud of their property. Because we are not paying guests they have an escort meet us at the dock and “escort” us to the spa. Once we were done with our treatments, we were then “escorted” back to the lodge where they let us shop in the gift shop, then we were expected to leave the premises. We could have signed up for lunch but that was a flat fee of $125 (before tax and tip) for basic pub food, good pub food mind you, but nothing fancy. Extra if you wanted a drink! Anyway, the spa staff couldn’t have been more lovely and welcoming, and we all had a fabulous morning.

Tonight was the auction event where they raise money for the efforts to restore salmon runs in the area. It starts with a tiered raffle, you buy raffle books with three different colored tickets. They have about 20 items you can choose from in which to put your tickets and they draw numbers. They also have a silent auction and live auction. We bid on a fishing trip in the live auction but decided to pass when it got too high. We didn’t win anything else, sadly, but others in our group made out! It’s always a really fun evening with good homemade bbq and sides, hot berry and peach crumble with ice cream for dessert, and lots of cold drinks. Can't believe I didn't take any pictures of our group or even myself and John tonight. OH well.