Approaching Deception Pass with its powerful currents that create a salt water rapids.
Just before taking this shot while passing Deception Island, I saw a Minke whale up close, a real treat for these solitary species of whales.
Crossing the south end of Rosario Straight with the vast Straight of Juan de Fuca to the south, with glassy water conditions. I saw a second Minkie whale spout during the crossing.
Lounging Sea Lions on Wale Rocks, with Lopez Island in the background.
I spent a day bicycling on Lopez Island. Here's McArdie Bay.
I parked the bike and walked out to Iceberg Point headlands. Hard to find but well worth the trouble. I met other bicyclists exploring Iceberg Point from as far away as California, Colorado, and Iowa. This shot is looking east across the Strait of Juan de Fuca toward Whidbey Island.
A kayaker explores the kelp forest blow Iowa Rock.
Looking west from Iowa Rock toward Iceberg Point.
Evidence of the San Juan Islands glacial past are everywhere.
Then I cruised up to Sucia Island and dropped anchor in Fossil Bay. I did encounter a ferry as it came out of Wasp Passage rounding Neck Point causing me to change course to yield the right of way. On Friday a boater wasn't as lucky in foggy conditions.
Sailboat sinks in San Juans after crash with state ferry
The San Juan Islands are notorious for powerful currents, thick fog banks, and hundreds of rocks reefs and shoals that complicate navigation.
Sucia Island is a State Park with six snug bays offering boaters a variety of good anchorages that attract boaters and campers. The park offers a boat shuttle service from Friday Harbor on San Juan Island and Eastsound on Orcas Island for visitors and campers without boats.
Sunset at anchor.
I bicycled Sucia's dirt roads over past the larger Echo Bay.
Sucia Map
Then I parked the bike and hiked the exquisite Lawson Bluff trail, as it winds along the top pf cliffs that drop into Haro Strait. Across the strait are the Canadian Gulf Islands, sometimes referred to as the Canadian San Juans.
Shallow Bay.
Then I hiked the trail along the north side of Echo Bay to Ewing Cove on the northeast corner of the island.
This is the biggest Madrona Tree I've ever seen.
Kayakers in Ewing Cove with the tip of Ewing Island on the left. Directly behind the Kayakers in the distance is Cherry Point where SSA Marine wants to build the Pacific Gateway coal export mega terminal I've written about extensively. Ugh!
A Madrona Tree's trunk as it extends across the ground.
That same Madrona Tree.
The beach along Fox Cove
Sucia's Mushroom Rock.
My little 23 foot trawler the Merganser moored off of Doe Bay on Orcas Island's west side. Its a Tiderunner, and they no longer make them. These boats are much sought after for their very economical fuel consumption, good sea manners with its displacement hull, and sturdy construction. I was lucky to get this one, as I was the first one to respond to an ad for one on Craig's List ad in April.
Sun sets as I approach my home port on Whidbey Island.