April 27, 2006
Jan's Journey- Day 5 San Juan Island
It was a beautiful day 5 morning, the water was pristine and the wind low and soft. Copper gave the wake up call at 7:00 for those that wanted coffee and breakfast in the lounge early riser already eating some thing cooked in the dinning room. With coffee in hand it didn’t take long for Meriwether and Copper to start their wonderful chatter about marine life as we cruise through the picturesque smaller San Juan Islands.
First spotted on the port side are a couple of harbor seals resting on the rocks at the edge of the water, way above them high on very rocky steep cliffs are breeding Pelagic Cormorants. We know they are breeding because the feathers ( sorry, plumage) on their rear are speckled. There are so many of them the rock looks like it has a black coat covering the normally white color. The next cry is from a wary Bald Eagle… high in a bare topped tree… first one then two then three spreading their wings and taking off over the vessel, showing off the white tail and majestic heads feathers. They fly so close overhead we can see the yellow curve of their beaks. As we slowly wind around the beach as close in as possible, we spy a huge Bald Eagle nest, a mass of twigs and branches collected by the birds it looks like the whole top portion of the tree is taken over by this home. I am just so impressed with the closeness to our natural environment we have been able to get and the ability to be so intimate with the local marine and bird life.
The next small island is privately owned and used as a reserve of specially planted wild life. We soon spot several types of goats and sheep and Sitka black tailed deer. It was mentioned as we watched closely an easy way to tell the difference between sheep and goats, one tail is up (goats) and the other tail is down (sheep). The information from the EL’s is just staggering; they have such a deep knowledge on all the local wildlife. It all works so well together, the bridge scans for items of interest as well as other folks on board as soon as something unusual is sighted it is all systems stop or all system turn, the whole team working together. The passengers love this inside nature related information and relaxed style of cruising, the way we can spend as much time as we all want just watching with no agenda, and no rushing. There are no set in stone times … even dinner and lunch can be changed on the fly if it fits with the days plans. This total flexibility adds such a refreshing and relaxed air to a trip, it allows the full experience to absorb in.
We move on and dock into Friday Harbor; we could not get closer if we tried, we are just feet from the town center. This was a day of two alternative adventures, a historical tour of the island or an afternoon in a sea kayak exploring the secret inlets and marine life. I chose the kayaking; Evan (husband) chose the historical trip. Eight of us take the kayaking; we walk to the Explorers center where we are met by our two leaders. After a brief explanation and release paper signing we are off to a van pulling very small looking long boats. I think only two of the team had been in a kayak before. A few minutes later we are unloading and putting on several layers of protective gear. First
water proof pants and jackets, then a waterproof skirt, which fits like a pair of pants with arm straps but will also fit over the seat of the kayak (to stop any water from getting inside), then on with a PFD. It is not a pretty sight! On the beach we stand next to a kayak they are a two man team boat, back seat is for the rudder guide, front is for the power paddling! I chose front and Megan (the apprentice EL) takes the rudder. We have some instruction on paddling techniques, some safety tips if the boat should turn over and then a few stretching exercises. Wish I had worked a little harder on those! We get in, attach the skirts and we are off.
Once the rocking stopped and the paddling rhythm got going it was time to relax and take in the true beauty of being in the water. This was an experience of a lifetime…our guide was a biologist and obvious sea expert. We saw Ochre Starfish, Sun Starfish, Bull Kelp, Eel Grass, a river Otter, 8 Bald Eagles eating and fighting over food, Rock Weed, Sea Lettuce, Loons, Harbor Seals, Luminous and Harlequin Ducks. Four hours later and contemplating the exciting afternoon, we get out and ride back to the Endeavour.
Evan had had as much fun on his trip; he went on a small bus guided tour to the end of the island. The first stop was to a stronghold called Redought he heard about the Pig war, where the English were fighting with the Americans, at the time the only major injury was the pig! They spotted a large Red Fox as they boarded back on the bus. Next stop was Whale Watch Park then on to a Pelindaba Lavender Farm, next Roche Harbor and down into Friday Harbor for a trip around the small boutique stores. The island has a rich and long history starting with the Spanish invaders, quite surprising for a small island off the Washington Coast.
Dinner was a little earlier, 6:00pm, because by 8:00pm we were ready for a DIB ride into Rosario Resort
for a wonderful musical program performed by
Christopher Peacock. The
Endeavour looked so fine by the night lights, waiting quietly for her passengers to return. The evening was so entertaining, the music exceptional and the photo library fantastic. The evening was a hit. The dib ride back in the dark was exciting for some and by 11:00 we were all back to our cabins.
I have found so many new friends, from crew to passengers, from educators to floating home. And there is still more to come!
Jan
Posted by Jan on April 27, 2006 9:06 AM
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