Westsound to Stuart Island

Saturday November 29, 2008

Lv: Westsound, Lopez Island 1030 Raining lightly

Arrive: Between Stuart Island and Satellite Island Log: 1325

Lat: 48 40.90 Lon: 123 11.74

Another day of nothing too much exciting. The humidity is so high inside the boat, we are having trouble keeping things dry. The new system we set up for our bed is working perfectly, but the hull gets pretty wet inside the lockers. On our trip to Alaska and also around Vancouver Island, we found that our mattress was getting very damp because of the cold coming up from the water tank underneath and the heat coming off our bodies. So, we built a platform out of cedar decking, effectively raising the mattress about 2 inches off the base of the bed, allowing air to circulate and it really works to keep things dry. But, now we have to figure out what to do inside lockers and inside the cabin in general. These are the things boat people worry about! Economy? What economy!

Below, the Olympic Peninsula at sunset. 

Shoal Bay to Westsound, Orcas Island

Friday November 28, 2008

Lv: Shoal Bay 1020

Raining and 6 degrees, winter weather.... uggghhh.

Arrive: Westsound, Orcas Island 1200

Lat: 48 36.59 Lon: 122 58.76

We are starting to enjoy this! Jerry is reading the book I bought him for his birthday.

We are hoping that the weather clears enough tomorrow that we can do some hiking on Orcas Island. Our aim is to hike up to the top of Turtleback Mountain, a very new park on Orcas. This 1,578 acre preserve came up for sale in the late 1990's and a group of islands banded together, raised the money and purchased it, saving it from developement. It was only just opened up to the public this past spring. But if the weather does not clear, we will have to wait until the next time, the reward at the end of the hike is the beautiful view.

Another day to relax, but that is what this is all about anyway. 

Barlow Bay to Shoal Bay, Lopez Island

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JERRY, YOU'RE LOOKING PRETTY GOOD!

Thursday November 27, 2008

Lv: Barlow Bay 1030

Arrive: Shoal Bay, Lopez 1615 Log: 1303

Lat: 48 33.31 Lon: 122 52.50

Hours on engine: 1414

Nothing too exciting today, the weather seems to have decided to change for good to winter. It is gloomy and slightly drizzely, and we are motoring all the time now. Besides, it's a day to relax, read some good books and reflect on life.

Friday Harbor to Lopez Island

Wednesday November 26, 2008

Lv: Friday Harbor, San Juan Island 1230

Arrive: Barlow Bay, Lopez Island 1615

Lat: 48 26.34 Lon: 122 52.31

The day started off rather gloomy, but by the time we were ready to leave Friday Harbor, the sun was shinning and we could see that the wind was picking up. On our way to Lopez, we passed Whale Rock where a large colony of sealions reside. Living space is at a premium, and the large males were able to take the choicest spots, while youngsters had to scroung around for avaliable space at the tide line. They were making lots of barking and grunting noises as we passed, keeping a wary eye on us.

Haven't seen the killer whales yet.......

Roche Harbor to Friday Harbor, San Juan Island

Tuesday November 25, 2008

Lv: Roche Harbor 0945

It is raining today, our first day of rain, but no surprise, that is what the forecast said.

Arrive: Friday Harbor 1230 Log 1264

Lat: 48 32.36 Lon: 123 00.95

It didn't quite rain the whole day, and we could see the sun shinning off to the west over Vancouver Island so we knew that it would be coming our way soon. The wind kicked up to 15 knots and we got some nice sailing in. We didn't see the killer whales, but they are around. Our first stop in Friday Harbor, after checking in at the marina, is the Whale Museum.  They reported that the L Pod was spotted off the west side of San Juan that morning, but we were on the east side. I am confident we will see them on this trip.

Killer whale skeleton at the Whale Museum in Friday Harbor.

Sidney to Roche Harbor, San Juan Island

Monday November 24, 2008

Lv: Sidney 1330

Arrive: Roche Harbor 1530 Clear customs, anchor in harbor

Lat: 48 36.72

Lon: 123 09.47

We had a beautiful sail across Boundry Pass today, accompanied partly by a small school of dolphins. It is so fun to watch them as they swim along beside our boat, zooming back and forth, under and behind, like they are having so much fun. I think when they see you watching them, they act up even more. They seemed to appear from nowhere and then vanished just the same.

We cleared customs easily and then decided to anchor out in the harbour, enjoying a very quiet night.