OK, so we’re a few days late!

We’re currently quietly anchored in Garrison Bay, just down Mosquito Pass from Roche Harbor on the NW end of San Juan Island.  What have we been up to?

A hike out to Johnson Point, Sucia, of all places!

Charisma playing "hide and seek" with us on our hike on Sucia.

...and one more picture of the cute little goslings.

Sucia – Well, we started getting behind ’cause we stayed an extra night on Sucia due to high winds.  In the middle of the night on Tuesday the wind started gusting into the high twenties.  Blammo!  Fortunately we were solidly anchored in mud, so were going nowhere and we were able to sleep comfortably, but the wind stayed high all day and we hunkered down.  A check of the weather resources showed strong winds forecast over the area.  Better safe than sorry.

As Wednesday showed the same pattern but a little lighter, so we decided that “hey, Charisma is an ocean-going animal, what are we afraid of?”

So…we put on our “offshore” foulies, stowed the dinghy on the foredeck (instead of towing her) and in general got ready for offshore-like conditions.  Put a triple reef in the main and off we went out around the island!

Well, we were glad to be all “squared away” because it was a little rough, but more like a San Francisco spring day blowing 20-25 with three foot wind waves, than a big deal.  Oh well, we were glad to have experienced some of the fierce San Juan weather.  Now, I understand it can get worse, but I’m just saying’…

So, once we got in the lee of Waldron Island it was easy going from there to Roche Harbor.  We had a two to three knot ebb bombing us along and got to Roche in record time.  Pulled into the guest dock so we could have a shower, shave (in my case) and do some laundry.  A lovely spot and we thoroughly enjoyed it, including a very fine dinner ashore at the restaurant on the hill looking down on the docks where Charisma was.  The only downside was I lost my wallet!!  Turns out there’s a hole in the pocket of my pants and it slipped out without my knowing.  Yipes!  We retraced our steps and did everything possible to locate it, but to no avail.  Finally, I went to the hotel and restaurant and asked if anyone found a wallet.  Nada.  But, they took my phone number, etc.  About 10:30 PM after much worrying and carrying on about how much hassle it would be to cancel cards, etc, etc, the phone rang.  The hotel security found my wallet on the trail outside.  Hallelulah!!!  Someone is indeed watching over me (as Ann has been trying to tell me for years now).

So, catching up to today.  We left Roche Harbor at noon and headed down Mosquito Pass.  I was dreading this, but it’s easier than it looks on the charts, so mostly a non-event and we dropped anchor in beautiful, tranquil, Garrison Bay.  Went ashore and proceeded to do an eleven mile hike!  Once again, Ann is trying to kill me, but it was a lovely hike.  We went to the top of the hill (some 600 or so feet) for a stupendous view, then down and around  and back to Roche Harbor just because we could.  All in the most beautiful forest lands you can imagine.

English Camp, Garrison Bay

The garden from above English Camp.

...and where are we?

Up the mountain. Ann with Charisma in the background ( left side)

EAGLE CAM!!!

oh, and a little uke music...

A very nice day.  Tomorrow we hope to head across the border into Canada.  Stay tuned to see.