September 26, 2020 – As the rain eased in the afternoon and patches of blue sky came in from the West we made preparations to sail. Winds were light but we sailed wing on wing with tacks to a beam reach through the Wasp Islands. A bald eagle roosted on a sign atop Low island. The lighting was quite dramatic with clouds of moisture coming off the layers of forested mountains. Circling Jones Island State Park and drifting in peace with spectacular views of islands all around.
As we came around the West side of Jones winds increased from the west and we had a fast beam reach sail all the way down San Juan Channel. The sun fell below the blankets of cloud to illuminate them with firey color. A slow sail across thew channel from Shaw to the Port of Friday Harbor with a double rainbow on our port side while the sun set on our starboard. Waters calmed to give reflection to the skies for a spectacular end to a day that started out stalled by rain.
Route Map 9-26-20
Mist above the trees
Turtleback Mountain
Bald eagle on Low Island
Sentinel Island
Looking west towards Tip Top Hill on Stuart Island
Looking west towards Spieden Island
Little McConnell and Orcas Islands
Sun getting ready to break out below the clouds
Sun breaking free from the clouds
Family sunset sail
Sunshine on Shaw Island
Sunlight over Friday Harbor
Double Rainbow
Rainbow colors intensify
Rays of sunlight over San Juan Island
Cloud reflections