forty days: jones island
Date: June 26, 2022
Time Start: 10:20 a.m.
Time Finish: 12:20 p.m.
Cruise From: Sucia Island
Cruise To: Jones Island
Engine Hours Start: 1403
Engine Hours Finish: 1405
Weather/sea conditions: Sunny, N.W. winds 5 to 15 knots, mid 70's
Sunday morning coffee is in the cockpit as the sun warms us. We hear the wild sounds of birds and of water lapping against the hull of NORTH STAR, muted conversations floating across the water from other boats, such a calm time of day. There must be close to 100 boats in Echo Bay, yet it feels quiet. After breakfast, we pull our anchor and cruise along Orcas, making our way to Jones Island. It's a nice morning on the water, but we do have to be on the lookout for drifting logs.
Time Start: 10:20 a.m.
Time Finish: 12:20 p.m.
Cruise From: Sucia Island
Cruise To: Jones Island
Engine Hours Start: 1403
Engine Hours Finish: 1405
Weather/sea conditions: Sunny, N.W. winds 5 to 15 knots, mid 70's
Sunday morning coffee is in the cockpit as the sun warms us. We hear the wild sounds of birds and of water lapping against the hull of NORTH STAR, muted conversations floating across the water from other boats, such a calm time of day. There must be close to 100 boats in Echo Bay, yet it feels quiet. After breakfast, we pull our anchor and cruise along Orcas, making our way to Jones Island. It's a nice morning on the water, but we do have to be on the lookout for drifting logs.
Jones is in sight. We can't tell from a distance how much room is available on the dock, but smiles are on our faces as we get closer. It's our lucky day to get a spot on this friendly dock! It is a great place to interact with people - they come and go by small boats, dinghies, kayaks and water taxis for time on this scenic island.
Right away we meet a young geologist with a Ph.D. in oceanography from the University of Washington, here by boat and camping ashore with his wife and two small children. They have their tent set up in the same spot where we camped many times in the past. Memories! A couple from Wenatchee boated over from West Beach Resort on Orcas where they are camped in their motor home for a week. We are just getting started with sharing stories with fellow boaters here.
But for now, we are ready for a stroll across the island to see some of the scenery. The library box is new since our last visit here, and along the trail the salal is taller than Dan. The skull of a deer sits on top of a picnic table. And the trees, the madronas with their colorul peeling bark and the wind sculpted evergreens, add that special island touch to all of the viewscapes.
But for now, we are ready for a stroll across the island to see some of the scenery. The library box is new since our last visit here, and along the trail the salal is taller than Dan. The skull of a deer sits on top of a picnic table. And the trees, the madronas with their colorul peeling bark and the wind sculpted evergreens, add that special island touch to all of the viewscapes.
A young man stops to chat and tell us about his incredible day. He started out at 4:30 this morning on his paddle board (SUP) from Roche Harbor, paddled to and completely circumnavigated Orcas Island, and is now here on the beach of Jones Island to connect with a friend for the final leg of his paddle back to Roche Harbor. Whew! He had water, some food, and a cell phone with him in case he needed to call for help. Talk about strong, and what an undertaking.
Back at the dock, we meet the group on the cute little boat behind us. They live in Friday Harbor and are on a day outing. We have a trio of old pals next to us who sailed a dinghy together fifty some years ago at Seattle's Shilshole Marina. One of them has restored the dinghy, they are here on a reunion voyage to sail it once again. Hooray! It both floats and sails, but doesn't look roomy enough for all three of them. They are having a grand time, dropped shrimp pots earlier today, and we get gifted with some of the catch.
Back at the dock, we meet the group on the cute little boat behind us. They live in Friday Harbor and are on a day outing. We have a trio of old pals next to us who sailed a dinghy together fifty some years ago at Seattle's Shilshole Marina. One of them has restored the dinghy, they are here on a reunion voyage to sail it once again. Hooray! It both floats and sails, but doesn't look roomy enough for all three of them. They are having a grand time, dropped shrimp pots earlier today, and we get gifted with some of the catch.
Sunset gives the sky a rosy glow, tomorrow should be another good day.
Date: June 27,, 2022
Jones Island layover day
Weather: Partly cloudy, a breeze, 80's
As expected, the dock is busy again. With the tide low, we take time to check out the beach. The rocks are covered with mostly fucus, barnacles, and lichens, along with some green ulva.
Jones Island layover day
Weather: Partly cloudy, a breeze, 80's
As expected, the dock is busy again. With the tide low, we take time to check out the beach. The rocks are covered with mostly fucus, barnacles, and lichens, along with some green ulva.
It's time for a hike as we head out clockwise from the dock along the trail circling the island. It turns out to be three rugged miles as we go up and down the rocky faces of the shoreline. We make it as far as the intersection of the cross island trail. That's enough for today! The first section of the trail takes us out to the point that looks toward the dock. And, along the trail we find leaves with faces torn in them, trail markers like we have found on other island trails in the past.
Onward we go, up and down, and sometimes it's a bit scary to look down!
We are still plagued with battery issues, not being able to produce enough power to keep things running at night. We have to turn the engine on and run it awhile to recharge. Dick and Meredith on "Uno Mas" sense our problem and offer suggestions. It looks like the answer is going to be new batteries. So, instead of staying for three nights here at Jones, we make reservations at Deer Harbor for a couple of nights where we can be on shore power. Sadly, this is our last night here.
Date: June 28, 2022
Jones Island layover morning
Weather: Cooler and gray, windy
The day starts cool, gray and windy. Our battery problems continue. We had to turn off both the fridge and small freezer overnight. We are definitely moving to Deer Harbor later today and get connected to shore power. We will be in Anacortes for five days over the Fourth of July, a good place to replace the batteries. But first, we take a nice morning walk to the west shore of Jones Island where there are camping areas for kayakers. The views from the bluffs are scenic. Native Garry oaks are being restored to the bluffs where they have been crowded out by fir trees. The fir trees have been killed as a part of the restoration process. While on the bluffs, we are treated to a large bird soaring over us. We can't quite decide if it is a turkey vulture or a young eagle, but it is magnificent to watch.
Jones Island layover morning
Weather: Cooler and gray, windy
The day starts cool, gray and windy. Our battery problems continue. We had to turn off both the fridge and small freezer overnight. We are definitely moving to Deer Harbor later today and get connected to shore power. We will be in Anacortes for five days over the Fourth of July, a good place to replace the batteries. But first, we take a nice morning walk to the west shore of Jones Island where there are camping areas for kayakers. The views from the bluffs are scenic. Native Garry oaks are being restored to the bluffs where they have been crowded out by fir trees. The fir trees have been killed as a part of the restoration process. While on the bluffs, we are treated to a large bird soaring over us. We can't quite decide if it is a turkey vulture or a young eagle, but it is magnificent to watch.
A final lunch on the Jones Island dock, and then it is time for the short crossing to Deer Harbor on Orcas
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