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Sunday, August 12: One boat returns to Bellingham and two press on to Stuart Island

With a late arrival on Saturday at Sucia Island and an early departure scheduled on Sunday, we had little time to enjoy Sucia Island. (Last year, some of us made the passage on Friday and spent Saturday exploring the island.) A light sea mist greeted us as we untied from the linear moorage at 8:00 am. There was some fog out in Rosario Strait, but it looked like it would lift soon.

Kokomo headed eastward out the main Echo Bay entrance, while JoJoma and Whisper passed eastward between North and South Finger Islands, waving to Dan as we disappeared from view. As we emerged from between the fingers, we could see Kokomo to the north with all sail up, bright blue stripes above a white hull in the morning sunshine. Dan later reported encountering quite a chop in Rosario Strait, and heaving to while he reefed his sail.

JoJoma and Whisper rounded the southeast corner of Sucia Island and headed southwest for President Channel, raising sail and enjoying some quiet sailing. As we approached the north end of President Channel, the sound of rushing water grew, and the chop on the water become chaotic and more pronounced. Soon, it sounded like a river, and we were in the middle of it.

North of us passed two large sailboats reaching under full sail. In President Channel, a south wind allowed us to beat to windward as we worked our way down the channel and eventually left the tide rips behind us.

As we neared Jones Island to port and Spieden Island to starboard, the wind increased. Whisper dropped sail and motored while JoJoma motorsailed into New Channel on the north side of Spieden Island. With swirling currents, we stayed well away from the rocky shore of Spieden Island. From a distance we could see a small group of grazing animals that looked like antelope, but I was too busy handling the boat to grab the binoculars for a closer look.

As we transited New Channel with the forested north shore of Spieden Island to port and the Cactus Islands to starboard, we saw dozens of white teepees on Johns Island, probably a Scout camp.

Near the northwest end of New Channel, we watched other boats to see where they were entering Reid Harbor, and followed their path into the large, well-sheltered harbor. Even though we were visiting during peak season, there was dock space for Whisper. JoJoma dropped anchor at the edge of the buoy field on the mirrored bay.

We covered 18.1 nautical miles in four hours and 15 minutes of boating.

After getting our boats settled in the harbor, we embarked on a hike to Turn Point. With no map and no clear idea of where we were going, we were pleasantly surprised to see plenty of signage directing folks like us to Turn Point. We passed Stuart Island School, a one-room schoolhouse, then passed by the island cemetery.

Descending a steep road, we dropped down from the last hill to Turn Point where porpoises, ships and a huge tidal rip amused us as we ate snacks on the lighthousekeeper's steps.

Sunday photos