Reid Bay on Stuart Island, to Garrison Bay, on San Juan Island, July 8, 2015
We awoke with excitement to get our adventure really started. We had anchored not far from the dock for the State Park and were eager to hike the island. Having been here before, we knew there were some lovely hikes, views and historical buildings.
The center portion of Stuart Island is a State park which includes two harbors, Reid and Prevost. There is a 3 mile walk that leads out the automated Turn Point lighthouse. From our anchorage it is a shorter hike over a mountain down to the sea then up to road that takes you to the school house.
We awoke with excitement to get our adventure really started. We had anchored not far from the dock for the State Park and were eager to hike the island. Having been here before, we knew there were some lovely hikes, views and historical buildings.
The center portion of Stuart Island is a State park which includes two harbors, Reid and Prevost. There is a 3 mile walk that leads out the automated Turn Point lighthouse. From our anchorage it is a shorter hike over a mountain down to the sea then up to road that takes you to the school house.
After breakfast, we rowed to the dock. (Actually, Chris does all the rowing in our tiny inflatable dinghy.) I was looking forward and saw a bald eagle flying overhead not too far above us. Chris missed it, but before I knew it the eagle was flying back in our directions, swooping down over our heads, not more than 15 feet above. In the eagle’s talons was a frantically squealing rat. The eagle soared higher, flew across the bay as the terrified squealing grew fainter and fainter. We will never forget the sight of such soaring beauty, the power of nature and its cost. Where’s a camera when you need it?
We took a leisurely two mile hike up and down the hills, through beautiful second growth forests and swampy areas, up to the old school house from the late 1800’s and the “Teacherage.” A modern school house has been built in the area and it is where the islanders’ students still go to school. A small library/museum has been set up in the old schoolhouse and cards, and postcards made by the students are for sale on the honor system. The “Teacherage” has been set up as a tiny museum with history displays about the families who settled the island. One sad story was of all the children of one family being killed at sea in a storm.
Living far out on an island can be financially difficult; one entrepreneurial family has set up an honor system “Pirates chest” of souvenirs…cards, t-shirts, mugs, etc., most designed and made by different family members.
We took a leisurely two mile hike up and down the hills, through beautiful second growth forests and swampy areas, up to the old school house from the late 1800’s and the “Teacherage.” A modern school house has been built in the area and it is where the islanders’ students still go to school. A small library/museum has been set up in the old schoolhouse and cards, and postcards made by the students are for sale on the honor system. The “Teacherage” has been set up as a tiny museum with history displays about the families who settled the island. One sad story was of all the children of one family being killed at sea in a storm.
Living far out on an island can be financially difficult; one entrepreneurial family has set up an honor system “Pirates chest” of souvenirs…cards, t-shirts, mugs, etc., most designed and made by different family members.
After the hike and return to the boat, it was time to set “sail” for Roche Harbor to get ice and make a trash dump. I say “sail” loosely, since there was a strong contrary current and we would not have made sufficient time by putting up the sails; so down in the water the motor went. During the passage we passed a floating log with five seagulls sitting on it, carefully evenly spaced so as not to intrude on each other’s territory. (See Musings for more on sea birds, logs and UFO’s –Unidentified Floating Objects.)
Roche Harbor is a smallish town on the north western end of San Juan Island. It is a U.S. customs entry point and so has quite a bit of traffic, but we’ve always liked its early 1900’s resort architecture and warm feel. In the past I have loved going there, however this time the preponderance of huge, mega power yachts with a few mega sailboats, made us feel very out of place in our tiny sailboat. We quickly purchased ice, got fuel and dumped our trash and made our way through the narrow winding passage of Mosquito Pass down to Garrison Bay. Mosquito Pass has some shallow parts, so you have to carefully go from one side of the passage to the other to avoid going aground. Garrison Bay is a lovely spot for a tiny boat to anchor in close to the shore for the night.
Roche Harbor is a smallish town on the north western end of San Juan Island. It is a U.S. customs entry point and so has quite a bit of traffic, but we’ve always liked its early 1900’s resort architecture and warm feel. In the past I have loved going there, however this time the preponderance of huge, mega power yachts with a few mega sailboats, made us feel very out of place in our tiny sailboat. We quickly purchased ice, got fuel and dumped our trash and made our way through the narrow winding passage of Mosquito Pass down to Garrison Bay. Mosquito Pass has some shallow parts, so you have to carefully go from one side of the passage to the other to avoid going aground. Garrison Bay is a lovely spot for a tiny boat to anchor in close to the shore for the night.
Chris went ashore and took a hike around the British Camp. I, having been here before, decided to stay on the boat and enjoy some quiet time reading and a call to my sister (we had cell coverage!).
British Camp is where British troops were garrisoned during the 1859 Pig War. The US Forest Service has restored the buildings and grounds to an historical site. Chris enjoyed his walk and historical discussions with the ranger on duty. Though we had been there before, he learned new facts about the history of the site.
At sunset we watched a pair of bald eagles soaring around the bay. They eventually chose to settle down on the highest branch of the tallest tree on a small island in the center of the bay. We spent a very quiet night on in this very calm anchorage.
British Camp is where British troops were garrisoned during the 1859 Pig War. The US Forest Service has restored the buildings and grounds to an historical site. Chris enjoyed his walk and historical discussions with the ranger on duty. Though we had been there before, he learned new facts about the history of the site.
At sunset we watched a pair of bald eagles soaring around the bay. They eventually chose to settle down on the highest branch of the tallest tree on a small island in the center of the bay. We spent a very quiet night on in this very calm anchorage.