september: stuart island
Date: September 10, 2017
Time Start: 11:45 a.m.
Time Finish: 1:05 p.m.
Cruise From: Roche Harbor
Cruise To: Stuart Island, Reid Harbor
Engine Hours Start: 701
Engine Hours Finish: 702
Weather/sea conditions: Sunny! Beautiful, upper 60's.
The Rendezvous is over. We have a sunny morning as boats parade out of Roche Harbor, heading to home ports or other destinations. The church bells are ringing, and we say a lot of goodbyes.
Time Start: 11:45 a.m.
Time Finish: 1:05 p.m.
Cruise From: Roche Harbor
Cruise To: Stuart Island, Reid Harbor
Engine Hours Start: 701
Engine Hours Finish: 702
Weather/sea conditions: Sunny! Beautiful, upper 60's.
The Rendezvous is over. We have a sunny morning as boats parade out of Roche Harbor, heading to home ports or other destinations. The church bells are ringing, and we say a lot of goodbyes.
We are back in the quieter world, just the two of us off on a cruise, with Stuart Island beckoning to us. Dock space in Reid Harbor awaits us, hooray! The water is clear and beautiful, picnic tables on the dock are a bonus, and we have shore access. It is a perfect spot for us today.
We haven't quite left all of the boats from the Rendezvous. Blue Belle is at anchor, as are three other Ranger Tugs. And, when we cross the island to the dock at Prevost Bay, we find two more!
We haven't quite left all of the boats from the Rendezvous. Blue Belle is at anchor, as are three other Ranger Tugs. And, when we cross the island to the dock at Prevost Bay, we find two more!
It's time to stretch our legs with a walk along the bluffs, taking in views of Reid Harbor below us.
We have plenty of time to leisurely paddle in Reid Harbor, enjoying the tranquil setting.
As always, the lighting as day fades is hard to resist.
Date: September 11, 2017
Reid Harbor, Stuart Island, layover day
Sunny, mid 70's, perfect September day!
What a perfect day, lots of sunshine and gorgeous Stuart Island to explore. We take the path along the bluff over Reid Harbor and continue climbing up through the forest to the site of the old school. (See September Cruise: Stuart Island, 2015). The "T Shirt Lady" from Stuart is tending to her treasure chest of ware. An island resident of many years who had children attend the school here, she now lives here only during the tourist months. The shirts and notecards are her business.
Reid Harbor, Stuart Island, layover day
Sunny, mid 70's, perfect September day!
What a perfect day, lots of sunshine and gorgeous Stuart Island to explore. We take the path along the bluff over Reid Harbor and continue climbing up through the forest to the site of the old school. (See September Cruise: Stuart Island, 2015). The "T Shirt Lady" from Stuart is tending to her treasure chest of ware. An island resident of many years who had children attend the school here, she now lives here only during the tourist months. The shirts and notecards are her business.
We continue on the road, getting views of Prevost Harbor and across to Mt. Baker.
One more mile to go to reach the Turn Point Lighthouse.
What a great setting for a picnic lunch! Yes, we brought ours! We have views of both Boundary Pass and Haro Strait and can hear the strong currents below (see video).
Leaving Turn Point, we stop at the next bluff on our return route, and what luck! No sooner do we walk out onto the bluff than we see that whales, a group of Orcas, are passing below us. A few boats have gathered to observe them. We are looking down on Turn Point from this bluff, as we are much higher, but it is still a spectacle to see these magnificent mammals of the deep. Now, why didn't I bring my camera with the zoom lens today? I have my cell phone, and Dan has a camera that doesn't zoom well. Pictures are much too distant, but hopefully give the feel of what we experience.
We cross paths with Jim and Lisa Favors as we return. They have anchored Kismet in Reid Harbor and are on the way to the lighthouse. Should we tell them that they just missed the whales? Another Ranger Tug has arrived on our dock, Tug Time, a charter out of Bellingham. Aboard are Mike and Debbie, fruit farmers from Yakima. They treat us to some home smoked salmon and pickled asparagus. Happy Hour never tastes this great on NORTH STAR! Jim and Lisa stop by after their walk for a chat, too. Glad we are on the dock, it is a social place to be.
The final job of the day is to raise the Canadian courtesy flag. We are heading to Sidney on Vancouver Island tomorrow.
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