When I was a child every year in August my family would pack up and journey to a cabin on the north shore of Orcas Island in the San Juan chain of Washington State. My Grandmother had lived there with her favorite aunt, uncle and great uncle during the 1930's.
An essential part of our journey was my great grandfather, it was his job to haul the outboard motor for the boat, fishing poles and the three metal ice chests that we would fill during our stay with the winters supply of cod fish for us and our extended family. I have many memories of Great Grandpa most of them involved something to do with the getting or preserving of food. I realize now that by choice, habit or necessity, he lived almost exclusively off the land. My memories of our food gathering forays are rich and filled with laughter, for while I know now it was serious business we had a lot of fun at the same time.
So it was on a bright August morning shortly after sunrise that Grandpa and I set off in an old fourteen foot wooden boat to fish for cod. The water was like glass as we headed out into the crisp morning air that spoke the approaching fall. This is how we spent our days he and I, in the small wooden boat collecting food, putting ashore for lunch on one of the small uninhabited islands, maybe treating ourselves to a fossil hunt or collecting the stray sea urchin shell like a treasure.
But this day held a wonderful surprise.
">
On that day we would be fishing for Ling Cod in the deeper waters that surrounded the reef that sat between our cabin and Sucia Island. These cod were much bigger and much more rare than the small rock cod that lived around the kelp beds. They were my great grandfathers favorite fish to make into fish and chips.
We headed for headed for deep water picking a spot that had been successful in the past. Fishing for ling cod took patience, a lot of sitting about and waiting. We often spent whole days with so much as a bite.
And so we sat in our small open boat on the smooth water waiting for something to happen. The air was silent, save the screech of the occasional seagull. when suddenly something caught our attention. Fifty yards away the water began to boil then suddenly erupted in a great geyser of water followed by a loud splash as a huge tale slapped the water.
">
My great grandfather and I looked on in awe as a giant orca whale surfaced then dove again with it's giant tale sticking high into the air. It was as exciting for the old man as it was for the kid. We began happily talking about our great luck at seeing such a amazing sight. Just then my great grandpas eyes got wide and he pointed out toward the Island we had just left there in a distance that was closing fast came several great fins.
Suddenly the water erupted as one of the great black and white creatures jumped high into the air landing with a tremendous splash. I turned toward my great grandfather only to see another we were surrounded.
In every direction there was a new wonder, of the giants splashing and playing. Suddenly not more than 15 yards from the side of our boat one surfaced and seemed to study us with her large, dark, intelligent eye the size of a dinner plate. Then I noticed that a tiny duplicate clung close to the side of this large and beautiful creature with its smaller curious eye looking right at me. A mother had brought her baby to show her what people looked like.
I wondered what she was telling her young one, what stories whales told of people or of the past when people hunted them. They stayed for along time watching what we did but I was not scared, in spite of their size they exuded a feeling of gentleness. They never came close enough or did anything to cause fear, yet with their antics they gave us a wonderful gift I have never forgotten.
It came to me that they had sought us out, we were a loan small boat sitting still in a vast calm channel they could have gone anywhere but they chose at that time to come to where we were. They seemed to be consciously taking care not to frighten us or put us in danger.Then as suddenly as they had arrived they were gone leaving great grandpa and I with a fantastic story to tell.
In my years on the water I have seen them again many times as I traveled the San Jauns and the inside passage. I wonder each time if one of the adults is the small baby I saw as a child and if she, or he tells the story of seeing me to friends just as I tell you. I look forward to my next encounter with the Orcas like seeing a very special old friend that always bring with them the great gift of magic and soaring spirits.
">