A sail with humpback whale MMY0079 “Scratchy” in Rosario

September 18, 2019 – North, South, East or West ? With a nice breeze we rolled out the headsail for a fun sail across San Juan Channel and after weighing the odds set a course East Northeast towards Peapod Rocks. We followed the beautiful sunlight on the forested Shaw coastline into Indian Cove around Canoe Island to Picnic Point, and sailed to steep forested cliffs of Upright Head on Lopez island. A fun fast sail to Obstruction island with the current taking us through Peavine Pass into Rosario Strait.

The steep sides of Cypress Island were impressive as we headed for Peapod Rocks where we found many harbor seals hauled out and warming in the sunshine. Scanning for Humpback whales we found MMY0079 “Scratchy” heading North passed Lawrence Point, the Eastern tip of Orcas Island. We watched as he/she circled in the tide rips off the point. We then sailed into the steep forested cliff face of Orcas Island and followed the Orcas shoreline back to Obstruction Pass.

We’re seeing quite a number of Great Blue Herons now and also quite a number of Harbor Porpoise. Sunset light was lighting the shoreline of Lopez Upright Head to Odlin Park to Flat Point. And we had a fun sail into sunset in San Juan Channel with hot chocolate and birthday cake.