Half day sail around Shaw Island

September 24, 2020 – With the morning rain clearing we cut the lines in the afternoon and headed North. High tide at 7’5” and the skirts of the cedar trees were almost touching the water. As we rounded Point Caution we let out the headsail and slowly gained momentum sailing wing on wing to the Wasp Islands.

To the North we could see heavy rain fall in Spieden Channel making its way Northeast. We tacked to explore Low Island and cut between McConnell and Coon waiting to see if the rain would bear North. Headed towards Jones but the rain was looking ominous so we changed course to head for blue sky through Pole Pass.

Sailing passed Bell Island and rain drops from a cloud burst over Turtleback Mountain were reaching us. For awhile there was a mix of sunshine and rain so we looked for rainbows and sure enough there were rainbow umbrellas over the passengers on the foredeck. The showers abated as we drifted along Shaw Island admiring the mosses and lichens that adorn the cliffs and forest. A fast sail to Upright head and cruising the coastline noting the cormorants who roost there are growing in numbers. Passed Flat Point and had a fun sail on the ebb to Turn Island. We cut through the pass enjoying the changing lighting of the end of the day. A beautiful peaceful September sailing day through the San Juan Islands.