The Pig War

Many of my generation fondly recall an early computer game called Oregon Trail. It was a game that was supposed to teach you about the westward expansion of the United States. You had to get your family to the Willamette Valley and along the way you encountered the typical challenges of life on the trail. As a 7th grader, all I really recall is shooting giant bison and elk only to find out I could only carry 100 pounds of meat back to my wagon.

In retrospect, I realized I knew nothing about what Oregon actually meant back then. Unlike today, Oregon consisted of not only the present state, but also of Washington and Idaho, parts of Montana and Wyoming, and the province of British Columbia. Evidently this territory was at first owned jointly by the Brits and us Yanks. However, it didn't take long for good 'ol manifest destiny to rear her ugly head. Of course it was our land! A treaty was ultimately signed that gave us everything below the 49th and England everything above, except for Vancouver Island. The boundary would then extend through the middle of the channel between the continent and the island. The problem was, there were two channels and the treaty didn't specify which one. Enter the pig.



It so happens the San Juan islands are in this disputed territory. Depending upon which channel you use, it belonged to either the British or the Americans. The San Juan's were named after some New Spanish viceroy in the late 1700s because some Spaniard saw it first. By first of course, we mean the first person who didn't already live there. Anyway, it didn't take long for both a British and American camp to be set up on the same island. To make a long story short, an American shot a British Pig, the farmer demanded to be repaid and the American said, "up yours," or something like that. Despite his tough words, the American citizens called for army protection and in rolls Captain Pickett (later General Pickett for you Civil War buffs). The Brits send in three war ships to try and get rid of Pickett. No one budges, nothing really happens except angry stares and probably some good insults. Finally General Scott arrives and calms down the situation. Eventually, Kaiser Wilhelm I of Germany settles the dispute and gives the Americans the Islands. Sorry Brits, I'm sure the power struggle in Europe during the late 1800s had nothing to do with the decision.




Today the islands are a top tourist destination. We took a day trip out to the San Juan Island with our gracious hosts and good friends from the Peace Corps, Adam and Laura Braddock. This island is home to Lime Kiln State Park, which is one of the best places to view Orca whales from land. While we didn't see any, we still enjoyed the views and got a couple of good pics of the shoreline and lighthouse. The Red Madrona trees that line the shores are also pretty amazing. It is almost as if the tree does not have bark it is so incredibly smooth.

The ferry ride out to the island was also a great experience in itself. While the weather didn't totally cooperate, it wasn't bad. Anja seemed to enjoy herself and appreciated all the extra attention she received. She took numerous trips around the deck of the ferry and is getting incredibly close to walking on her own. I hope you enjoy the photos and that you found the short history enjoyable. After all, how many stories are there that include a Spaniard, the Americans, the British, Kaiser Wilhelm, and a pig.
ps. You can download the original Oregon Trail here. I haven't tried it yet, but I'm assuming it shouldn't be too hard to figure out.