We spent Tuesday the 2nd at the dock doing a hundred things. Water, laundry, mail, supplies. Saddle Bag Island was a shake down and now it was time for the 'big trip'. Anacortes, though on Fidalgo island and part of the San Juans, is really on the fringe and connected by a freeway to the rest of the world. Everything else, every island west, has to be reached by boat or plane. On Wednesday morning we left the dock for the heart of the San Juans.
As unfortunate as Saturday had been, Wednesday was the complete opposite. I had chosen time, tides, and winds well and all played the part I asked. Calm water, beautiful skies and little wind let us focus on our path and the natural beauty surrounding us. We left Cap Sante and Fidalgo Bay, entering Guemes Channel for a run westward to Rosario Strait. It had been last year since we had seen Rosario from the deck of the ferry during a winter storm and I had spent many nights thinking of those big waves and massive tidal rips. Clearing Guemes Channel I was relieved to see a calm landscape to the islands in the distance. Our goal was Thatcher pass and we were there in less then an hour. Calm and quiet we entered the pass and I was reminded that all the islands were in fact the tops of mountains. Here the sea had come in and flooded the world. I felt this deep in my soul.
I could spend pages telling you of the sights and sounds and smells that made that day special, but I couldn't do it justice. From Thatcher Pass we rounded Humphrey Head and crossed Upright Channel. Tucking into the smaller Harney Channel we made our way west till Blind island came into view. This tiny rock marks the entrance of Blind Bay and our destination, there to anchor and play for the next week. Turning in, the bay opened before us and we saw we had the pick of spots. Sarah urged us in towards the back of the bay which offered more privacy and a better view.
I'm writing this night, the 4th of May from Blind Bay, the San Juan Islands, Washington. Though still ignorant of many things we are well on our way to learning them. Here we will stay for a week or so to test our capacity of water and such. Friday harbor isnt far and we will head there when we must.
We have sampled a minute fraction of possible discoveries before us. It is humbling and inspiring. If you have ever dreamed of this same journey, I tell you, do it now.
As unfortunate as Saturday had been, Wednesday was the complete opposite. I had chosen time, tides, and winds well and all played the part I asked. Calm water, beautiful skies and little wind let us focus on our path and the natural beauty surrounding us. We left Cap Sante and Fidalgo Bay, entering Guemes Channel for a run westward to Rosario Strait. It had been last year since we had seen Rosario from the deck of the ferry during a winter storm and I had spent many nights thinking of those big waves and massive tidal rips. Clearing Guemes Channel I was relieved to see a calm landscape to the islands in the distance. Our goal was Thatcher pass and we were there in less then an hour. Calm and quiet we entered the pass and I was reminded that all the islands were in fact the tops of mountains. Here the sea had come in and flooded the world. I felt this deep in my soul.
I could spend pages telling you of the sights and sounds and smells that made that day special, but I couldn't do it justice. From Thatcher Pass we rounded Humphrey Head and crossed Upright Channel. Tucking into the smaller Harney Channel we made our way west till Blind island came into view. This tiny rock marks the entrance of Blind Bay and our destination, there to anchor and play for the next week. Turning in, the bay opened before us and we saw we had the pick of spots. Sarah urged us in towards the back of the bay which offered more privacy and a better view.
I'm writing this night, the 4th of May from Blind Bay, the San Juan Islands, Washington. Though still ignorant of many things we are well on our way to learning them. Here we will stay for a week or so to test our capacity of water and such. Friday harbor isnt far and we will head there when we must.
We have sampled a minute fraction of possible discoveries before us. It is humbling and inspiring. If you have ever dreamed of this same journey, I tell you, do it now.
RSS Feed
