Trip Report: San Juans and Southern Gulf Islands

[bmiller]

Last night I invested three hours building a trip report that would have been epic. Right as I was about to click post the computer locked up, lost all of it.
So now you get the very abreviated version and a link to all the photos.

We left Buena Vista Colorado in early September bound for Anacortes Washington. The trip out was uneventful, unlike so many of our other road trips. We arrived and had the boat rigged and ready by Sept 11. It was too late to splash the boat so we spent the night on the street outside the boatyard.

Road ready


Rigged and ready, flag at half mast for Sept11


In she goes


We spent a couple days at Cap Sante Marina getting provisions and shaking down the boat. Then we headed for Sucia, the entire island is a state park. One night there and a short hike ashore then we were off for Stuart island. Two nights in Prevost with the obligatory hike to the one room schoolhouse's "treasure chest".

Getting frsh veggies at the Anacotes farmers market


Driftwood on Sucia


Prevost harbor


Treasure chest


Time for our first sail into canada. We checked in with customs on South Pender island. We continued up to Ganges, a very "funky" town. All the towns up there were "funky".

Alone at the customs dock


At the Kanaka public wharf, cheap but clean.


Pooka tucked in with the big guys


From Ganges we were headed for Tod Inlet and the Butchart Gardens. I cannot do the gardens justice in writing, you have to see it for yourself.

Tod Inlet



From Tod we headed back north to Cowichan Bay. We stayed at a small marina that was right next to the wooden boat society, very interesting. Did a day trip via local bus to Duncan to see the collection of totem poles.

One of the many wooden boats


A few of the 40+ totem poles


We went across the bay to Genoa Bay, one of the prettiest we found




Before we left the Cowichan area we went back for some must have baked goods for the trip to Sidney. It rained all the way and we encountered a mechanical issue that had to be dealt with at the marina. It's a long funny story best told over a beer, meet me on the water sometime. Spent three days at Sidney exploring the very nice town. No pictures of sidney, it was raining the whole time and I was fixing the boat. From Sidney we went to Roche to check back in to the USA. Spent two nights on the hook in Roche Harbor. Very nice but pricey place. Do a search on the Roche Harbor sunset colors ceremony. It still gets my attention everytime I see it.

Around Roche




After leaving Roche we spent on night on Jones, a state park island.

Pooka on a mooring at Jones




We finally got a good downwind sail down to Friday Harbor.

Running dead downwind


Friday Harbor


One of our very favorites was next, Fisheman Bay on Lopez island. The town of Lopez and Lopez Island vineyards are always on our list.

The bay and vineyard







Rosario on Orcas was next. It was the retirement mansion for Robert Moran. He was quite a man.




Our last night was in Eagle Harbor, Cypress Island at the state park.




Back to Anacortes, we got there on a Saturday and could not get the boat out until monday. Fortunately there was a boat show going on for us to explore. We also took a day trip to Port Townsend. Got to watch Brion Toss and crew dismast a large wooden sloop.

The trip home was very eventful, that story deserves a beer also.

link to photos

I really wish the computer didn't crash last night. I put much more effort into that report.

Bill

[Bob23]

Bill- that was great! Thanks so much. I'm glad someone is sailing!
Bob23...(yup, still bob23)

[Craig Weis]

Love the pictures, thanks a lot. I really enjoyed that black hulled English cutter.
Up to the North Channel for us with any luck and $'s to do such a trip. skip.

[don l]

WOW!




thanks

Captain cajun

[kchunk]

Damn. Sorry Bill. I feel partly responsible for putting you through the trouble  :/

I great report anyway!

Just got word that the '97 CP27 I've been looking at is selling this week. I snoozed and losed.

--Greg

[bmiller]

Just got word that the '97 CP27 I've been looking at is selling this week. I snoozed and losed.
--Greg

Don't hold you breath but Pooka may be for sale in the next year or so. We are looking at our retirement boat, lots of bargains out there.
But for the record Pooka will not be one of those boats sold to a lowball bidder.

I'm glad you all enjoyed the report. The San Juans are a truly remarkable place to explore by boat.

[Les]

Thanks a million for all the photos on your link, my wife and I thoroughly enjoyed it! We stayed at the Rosario Lodge several years ago and loved the area.

Les