Blind Bay, Shaw Island to Spencer Spit, Lopez Island to Fisherman’s Bay, Lopez Island, July 10
We left Blind Bay early the next morning and headed to Spencer’s Spit State Park a short sail away. We had been to Spencer Spit before and really enjoyed it. It is a narrow spit of land that protrudes out from Lopez Island almost touching Frost Island. The currents move through the tiny opening rapidly leaving a deep narrow channel to get through in a place where you think you should be aground. Both the North and South sides of the spit are popular places to anchor. Lots of sea kayakers like to put in there and lessons are even offered. There is a long spit of sand with lots of driftwood. As you walk the beach you can see sculptures and huts that beachcombers have created with the flotsam and jetsam.
We left Blind Bay early the next morning and headed to Spencer’s Spit State Park a short sail away. We had been to Spencer Spit before and really enjoyed it. It is a narrow spit of land that protrudes out from Lopez Island almost touching Frost Island. The currents move through the tiny opening rapidly leaving a deep narrow channel to get through in a place where you think you should be aground. Both the North and South sides of the spit are popular places to anchor. Lots of sea kayakers like to put in there and lessons are even offered. There is a long spit of sand with lots of driftwood. As you walk the beach you can see sculptures and huts that beachcombers have created with the flotsam and jetsam.
Instead of having breakfast in Blind Bay we had decided to have a big brunch of chili, eggs, onions and spinach after we anchored. We took up a buoy, though the sea was restless and proceeded to have brunch. We received a call from our son in China finalizing the wedding plans, condo rental for the end of July in Buffalo, New York. We were ready for some beachcombing and took the dinghy ashore.
Instead of having breakfast in Blind Bay we had decided to have a big brunch of chili, eggs, onions and spinach after we anchored. We took up a buoy, though the sea was restless and proceeded to have brunch. We received a call from our son in China finalizing the wedding plans, condo rental for the end of July in Buffalo, New York. We were ready for some beachcombing and took the dinghy ashore.
Returning from our adventures ashore, we decided the anchorage wouldn’t be very comfortable for the evening and decided to spend the night at Fisherman’s Cove on southwest Lopez Island. We had been planning to spend the night at the Marina there the next day as it was a good jump off place to get back to Anacortes and a nice splurge to end this portion of the trip.
We set sail and as we rounded Upright Head the wind picked up and heading and currents we in a favorable direction. As we are fond of saying: we hauled ass! It was a joyous sail.
Fisherman Bay extends 1.5 miles into Lopez Island and is tricky to get into. We had done it before, but really needed to check the guides to make sure we made it in safely. The entrance is winding and shallow, in places even shallow for us. When entering you have to follow directions that include looking for a beacon 200 yards off the entrance, leave it well to starboard, then look for other navigation markers, places on land, pass some to starboard, some to port, some close and some farther away. Thank goodness for guide books.
That first night we anchored deep into the Bay and watched an amazing sunset. Despite the high winds and seas outside of the bay, the water was calm within. We passed a peaceful night in a comfortable, secure anchorage.
Returning from our adventures ashore, we decided the anchorage wouldn’t be very comfortable for the evening and decided to spend the night at Fisherman’s Cove on southwest Lopez Island. We had been planning to spend the night at the Marina there the next day as it was a good jump off place to get back to Anacortes and a nice splurge to end this portion of the trip.
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We set sail and as we rounded Upright Head the wind picked up and heading and currents we in a favorable direction. As we are fond of saying: we hauled ass! It was a joyous sail.
Fisherman Bay extends 1.5 miles into Lopez Island and is tricky to get into. We had done it before, but really needed to check the guides to make sure we made it in safely. The entrance is winding and shallow, in places even shallow for us. When entering you have to follow directions that include looking for a beacon 200 yards off the entrance, leave it well to starboard, then look for other navigation markers, places on land, pass some to starboard, some to port, some close and some farther away. Thank goodness for guide books.
That first night we anchored deep into the Bay and watched an amazing sunset. Despite the high winds and seas outside of the bay, the water was calm within. We passed a peaceful night in a comfortable, secure anchorage.
Returning from our adventures ashore, we decided the anchorage wouldn’t be very comfortable for the evening and decided to spend the night at Fisherman’s Cove on southwest Lopez Island. We had been planning to spend the night at the Marina there the next day as it was a good jump off place to get back to Anacortes and a nice splurge to end this portion of the trip.
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