Peace for Paris

Our sympathies are with our French friends in this time of horror and sadness.  We thank all of our staff and campers, past and present, who have let us know of your safety. Please include us in any news that we should know-- whether it is thankful or sad.   Our sympathies are also with the people of Beirut who are suffering through a similar event this past week.  We realize that so many unfortunate people suffer these horrors daily and we hope the good people everywhere overcome the evil in the world.

le chocolat

Le chocolat. Brought to Spain in the early 1500s by Cortez, sweetened with sugar and sipped in secret by aristocrats for almost 100 years. One theory is that with the marriage of Anne of Austria, daughter of Phillip III of Spain, to King Louis XIII of France in 1615, one of her wedding gifts for Louis included chocolate. And thus chocolate was brought to France.

In the 1700s, the first hydro powered chocolate mill was built in France. This made chocolate available to the masses. Chocolate houses became popular in Europe, places to sip chocolate and socialize. The tradition of building a community around chocolate and all the subtle bliss it provides continues on Orcas Island at Kathryn Taylor Chocolates.

This small chocolate shop combines local ingredients with French chocolate. Seasonally harvested fruits, berries and nuts make for a year round adventure in flavors. The storefront in Eastsound is a corner stop for locals and visitors. Next time you are in the San Juan Islands, be sure to stop in and savor the flavors, of chocolate!