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Monday, August 13: Through Spieden Channel to Friday Harbor

A mid-day departure from Stuart Island allowed us to transit Spieden Channel near slack tide. Motoring against the current, we passed close to the southern shore. While the north side of Spieden is forested, the south side is dominated by grasses. Again, we saw small groups of animals that looked like antelope.

As we neared the southeast end of Spieden Channel, we stayed near the island because tide rips were growing increasingly strong between Spieden and Limestone Point on San Juan Island. Waves were rolling toward the northeast, and they were large enough to make it very uncomfortable when we tried to turn southward to enter San Juan Channel. We let the waves chase us well out into San Juan Channel before making our turn.

Whisper motored to Friday Harbor, while JoJoma sailed and motorsailed the channel.

Arriving in mid-afternoon on a nice August day, I wasn't too surprised to have some trouble finding temporary moorage in the marina. What did surprise me was that by early evening, many spots had been vacated. Where did all the boats go? Were many of the spots taken by boats just in for a couple of hours? Where did they come from? I found it very odd to be in a very busy marina and have more spots available in the evening than during the day.

Our four-hour passage covered 13.8 nautical miles.

After showers and dinner, skippers and crew of both boats went to the movie theater and watched The Bourne Ultimatum.

Monday photos