August 12, 2020 – Leaving Friday Harbor we raised sails and sheeted in tight for a close hauled sail South. As we came to Turn Island we picked up a report of whales outside Friday Harbor and were extra vigilant in our scanning. We tacked and came around Turn Island and making a decision to switch to a Northerly course sailed inside Turn Island and across to Shaw Island. Good sailing conditions and we made our way North through the Wasp Islands. As we came towards Jones Island we heard a report of Orcas at Sentinel Island so we increased speed catching the ebb to Green Point and a fast sail along the North side of Spieden Island.
We changed course to come through Johns Pass. Glassy waters in Boundary Pass and we made good time but just a few minutes behind as the Puget Sound Trio of T65A2 and T137A and T137B crossed the border into Canada. The border closure for US tour boats (but not Canadian boats) is not making any sense and again cost us the ability to give passengers the experience of seeing whales. It seems to be a political jousting match rather than anything to help peoples health and safety. We were able to gain a very distant view with binoculars and noticed one of the orcas surfing the bow waves of a massive container ship.
After drifting awhile on the dotted line we set a course for Turn Point Lighthouse reefing the main with strong winds in Haro. Gorgeous views of Lovers Leap and the Stuart Island coastline. Winds took us into New Channel for an enchanted view of the Cactus Islands and Ripple Island. We continued on to Flattop Island National Wildlife Refuge and drifted in the lee listening to the high pitched whistles of the pigeon guillemots. The late afternoon light showed off the spectacular geology of layering and uplifting.
We sailed close hauled to Orcas Islands and then cut down through Spring Pass sailing again from Nob Island Pass down to Point George on Shaw Island. Sailing in to the lee of Point Caution we dropped sails as the wind was quite strong again in Friday Harbor. A great days summer sailing in the San Juan Islands.
Harbor seals and cormorants on Low Island
Distant view of one of the orcas (T65A2, T137A and T137B)
Distant view of one of the orcas (T65A2, T137A and T137B)
Massive container ship – one of the orcas raced to surface the bow wake
Bald eagle in Madrone tree
Turn Pt Lighthouse, Stuart Island
Turn Pt Lighthouse and Lovers Leap, Stuart Island
Ripple Island
Pigeon guillemots with fish
Harbor seal with pup on Flattop Island
Flattop Island
Pigeon guillemot with gorgeous geology of Flattop Island
Layers of islands
Harbor seal on Bird Rock
Harbor seals on Low Island
Harbor seals on Low Island