A sail around Stuart Island

September 20, 2020 – Northbound coming close to shore to round Point Caution before light air sailing to the Wasp Islands. The sea mist was clearing to the North opening up blue skies. The breeze increased at Wasp Pass allowing us to sail wing on wing and beam reach through the maze of reefs where harbor seals were hauled out resting and warming in the morning sun. Wing on wing into Spring Pass and then close to the Orcas shoreline to duck out the ebb current coming up Presidents Channel. At the head of Turtleback Mountain we were wing on wing against a river of current enjoying the scenery.

The T123 family of Biggs Orcas had been at Matia when we left Friday Harbor but were now North of Patos heading for Point Roberts. So after viewing a bald eagle in Lovers Cove we changed tack for a fast beam reach across Presidents Channel towards Waldron Island. We were soon sailing passed Point Disney and then circling White Rock with a view of Point Disney over the resting harbor seals. The current carried us to Ripple Island.

The current through the Cactus Islands was somewhat challenging and the wind varied from quite strong to zero. An eagle was on the rocks with what looked like a salmon. Skirting the edge of the kelp forests and the fronds were stretched on the fast moving waters. The North shore of Spieden Island was glassy calm though the waters still move. Great Blue Heron standing on kelp waiting for its moment to spear a fish and Mouflon Rams stood tall on the cliff edge.

We came out of New Channel and followed the Stuart Island shoreline to Lovers Leap and Turn Point Lighthouse. The T60 family of Orcas had been making their way down from Active Pass but were still near Saltspring Island so we wrapped arround Stuart Island seeing a bald eagle above its nest on the North side. Onwards to Flattop Island where the late sun made the colors of the lichens pop. The warm colors of the late sun followed us on a close hauled sail down san Juan Channel.