summer: sucia
Date: June 30, 2017
Time Start: 11:55 a.m.
Time Finish: 3:40 p.m.
Cruise From: Cap Sante
Cruise To: Sucia
Engine Hours Start: 633
Engine Hours Finish: 636
Weather/sea conditions: Clear, light breeze, wispy clouds, upper 70's
Blue skies! We can see a bit of fog off of Anacortes, but it will be cleared by the time we leave Cap Sante. An eagle atop a sailboat mast is being harassed by seagulls. Our neighbor, the beautiful Viking yacht, leaves for Roche Harbor, a fitting destination for such a large boat. We do our laundry and walk to the nearby Safeway for some fresh produce before untying our dock lines and heading towards Sucia.
Time Start: 11:55 a.m.
Time Finish: 3:40 p.m.
Cruise From: Cap Sante
Cruise To: Sucia
Engine Hours Start: 633
Engine Hours Finish: 636
Weather/sea conditions: Clear, light breeze, wispy clouds, upper 70's
Blue skies! We can see a bit of fog off of Anacortes, but it will be cleared by the time we leave Cap Sante. An eagle atop a sailboat mast is being harassed by seagulls. Our neighbor, the beautiful Viking yacht, leaves for Roche Harbor, a fitting destination for such a large boat. We do our laundry and walk to the nearby Safeway for some fresh produce before untying our dock lines and heading towards Sucia.
The marina is busy today as boats get launched or loaded for the upcoming holiday weekend. Cap Sante has been a great stop for us. Mt. Baker rises in the distance as we leave, making our way to the east side of Guemes.
We love cruising along this shore of Guemes, with its high bluffs dropping straight into the sea. Where there is white guano, we frequently see cormorants nesting, but not today. Today the ocean spray shrubs are in full bloom on the bluffs, their creamy flowers bright against the rock faces and adding a touch of softness.
Sailboats in a race add their color, with Mt. Baker in the background.
Now, to scout out a mooring spot on Sucia - and we cannot believe our eyes! We have several to choose from in Fossil Bay, even though it is vacation and holiday time! How can that be? Where are all the boaters?
We dinghy over to the dock and meet an old friend, Chuck. We met him on this dock a few years ago! He spends summers cruising on his boat "Encore" , and we share memories and stories, catching up.
We dinghy over to the dock and meet an old friend, Chuck. We met him on this dock a few years ago! He spends summers cruising on his boat "Encore" , and we share memories and stories, catching up.
Here's a story. Chuck tells us that the rangers are telling people that the park (Sucia is a state park) may shut down at midnight, water will be shut off and people requested to leave! The reason? Our legislature has until midnight to pass a state budget, and if they don't, well . . .
We continue our dinghy ride to explore some of the sandstone sculpted shoreline.
We continue our dinghy ride to explore some of the sandstone sculpted shoreline.
Back on NORTH STAR, we relax and get entertained by watching the local wildlife (there is a burgeoning population of geese on Sucia), the changes in the patterns on the water and in the daylight, and the coming and going of other boats, including a number of water taxies.
Date: July 1, 2017
Sucia layover day
Weather: Windy! Sunny and upper 60's
Happy Canada Day! We had a rough night as the winds really picked up and kept us rolling on the chop. Dan got up to adjust the buoy lines and check on the dinghy more than once. This morning gales are blowing outside of Fossil Bay and we continue to rock and pitch. We have bright sun but can see a bank of fog outside the bay.
We tune into a Canadian station broadcasting Canada Day news stories and recall the wonderful time we had celebrating the day in Port McNeil a year ago (see July l, 2016 post).
It's time for us to go ashore and enjoy Sucia. We pack a picnic lunch and take the trail that takes us to Echo Bay. Sucia is such a great island for shore hikes, with several trails to choose from.
First stop is the dock of Fossil Bay and a quick look at Fox Cove:
Sucia layover day
Weather: Windy! Sunny and upper 60's
Happy Canada Day! We had a rough night as the winds really picked up and kept us rolling on the chop. Dan got up to adjust the buoy lines and check on the dinghy more than once. This morning gales are blowing outside of Fossil Bay and we continue to rock and pitch. We have bright sun but can see a bank of fog outside the bay.
We tune into a Canadian station broadcasting Canada Day news stories and recall the wonderful time we had celebrating the day in Port McNeil a year ago (see July l, 2016 post).
It's time for us to go ashore and enjoy Sucia. We pack a picnic lunch and take the trail that takes us to Echo Bay. Sucia is such a great island for shore hikes, with several trails to choose from.
First stop is the dock of Fossil Bay and a quick look at Fox Cove:
Timing is perfect to enjoy the blossoms of ocean spray. It is a prolific plant that really only stands out when it blooms, and does it ever stand out! We see it all along the trail as we walk to Echo Bay, where the views of boats, water, and Mt. Baker are pretty wonderful.
Back on NORTH STAR, the winds continue, and small craft warnings have been posted. Dan has an idea to help stabilize the boat, dropping an anchor line off the stern to keep us pointed into the wind.
Like yesterday, we relax, enjoying other boats passing by (including a pair of matching sailboats, Gretel I and Gretel II), the geese, and the whole ambiance that comes from being on the water. What could be better?
Date: July 2, 2017
Sucia layover day
Weather: Upper 60's to 70, Sunny, windy
Good morning, sunshine! Good morning, Sucia! It looks like another gorgeous day in the San Juans! The winds have died for now, the water is calm and lovely, there was no rocking all night long. Boats have left, others have arrived. Water taxis have been bringing in hikers and kayakers and campers and day trippers. Sucia is one popular place!
We spend our morning taking the trail along the top of the bluff that overlooks Fossil Bay to Point Ev Henry. The views all along the way are nothing short of spectacular. (Click on photos for verticals.)
Sucia layover day
Weather: Upper 60's to 70, Sunny, windy
Good morning, sunshine! Good morning, Sucia! It looks like another gorgeous day in the San Juans! The winds have died for now, the water is calm and lovely, there was no rocking all night long. Boats have left, others have arrived. Water taxis have been bringing in hikers and kayakers and campers and day trippers. Sucia is one popular place!
We spend our morning taking the trail along the top of the bluff that overlooks Fossil Bay to Point Ev Henry. The views all along the way are nothing short of spectacular. (Click on photos for verticals.)
It's a relaxing Sunday on NORTH STAR. Boat showers feel good after the hike, and we enjoy our gaggle of visiting geese. The winds are still with us . . . grilled salmon and Greek salads for supper.
July 3, 2017
Sucia layover day
Weather: Sunny, winds are calmer
We are hanging out, enjoying another day at wonderful Sucia. We take the dinghy to enjoy the sculpted sandstone shoreline of Fossil Bay.
Sucia layover day
Weather: Sunny, winds are calmer
We are hanging out, enjoying another day at wonderful Sucia. We take the dinghy to enjoy the sculpted sandstone shoreline of Fossil Bay.
Shore time takes us in separate directions. Dan takes the trail to Snoring Bay, while I explore Fox Cove and the beaches of Fossil Bay.
Snoring Bay with Dan:
Snoring Bay with Dan:
The mushroom rocks and other wonders of Fox Cove and Fossil Bay:
Day ends with wonderful golden colors, the perfect time to drift close to the water in the dinghy and kayak.