Boys trip to Stuart Island

Going to Stuart Island has become a real treasure. It's only 11 miles from Friday Harbor, and therefore only a couple hours of travel in favorable conditions. Reid Harbor is so pretty, and although it can be crowded, it never feels too busy for some reason. We'll never go to Sucia again because it felt like a Kmart for boats, all crammed together and the poor island itself all trashed. Reid always feels clean and quiet.

We had friends in town and I thought it would be fun to do a "Boys trip" since they have two boys as well. The other dad and I took our four boys and did the trip, their first overnight in a boat. They were so excited, and we were too. Unfortunately it was dead calm or rained the whole way there and back, so we didn't get to sail, but the rest of the experience was blissful.

When we first got there, I couldn't believe it but the oldest boy said he was going to jump into the water off the boat. Now, as you may know, the water is 52 degrees on a sunny day. Sure enough, despite my doubts, he jumped right in, followed closely by my kids and the other dad. I didn't take the bait, but they sure had a refreshing swim.

The next day we hiked to the lighthouse. After not doing so on any of my previous trips to the lighthouse, I finally took the plunge and bought some of those cool T-shirts for sale at the school. I got a "No child left inside" shirt and the boys got pirate shirts and the like. They have a website for their stuff: www.boundarypasstradersnw.com

When we got out to the lighthouse, I was psyched to see they had opened the new museum in the old barn. Three volunteer docents were present, all Stuart Island folks, who were more than happy to answer all our questions.

Turn Point is an amazing combination of outstanding scenery, incredible natural history, fascinating nautical history and great cultural history. One of my favorite places in the entire country I'd have to say!

Despite pounding rain the entire hike back, our group of intrepid kids were absolutely happy and unfazed. If you act like it's normal and no big deal, then the kids do too!

We had an amazing trip as always, to one of the most desirable spots in the entire Salish Sea.

Trip with the boys to Spencer Spit, Lopez Island

I've been gone from my blog for a while and so need to catch up a bit. A few weeks back, in early August, I took our two boys and did a great overnight trip to nearby Lopez Island. Around on the eastern side is a famous state park called Spencer Spit. It is a magnificent place, in setting and in recreational opportunities.






We went for the night with Amy and grabbed a mooring buoy on the north side of the spit as there were south winds forecast. We dinghied to shore and hiked out to the end of the spit which points directly at rugged Frost Island. The gap between the end of the sand spit and Frost Island is maybe 50 feet. A tight fit at low tide for sure.

This old cabin is a recreation of a homestead cabin used by the first white folks in this area. The spit is great for walks, kayaking, and all sorts of playing.

While out on the very point, we looked up at the steep cliffs of Frost Island and I saw a bald eagle being bothered by crows and a turkey vulture. The eagle was eating and the others were hoping for scraps. Nearby to this was a lonely deer on the steep slope.


We had to motor there, but coming home was a nice sail. We were able to beam reach right along Shaw and into Friday Harbor. Great stuff. I have to add this photo of a beautiful two master that was right beside Aeolus. What a beauty. A great thing about sailing in the San Juans is that there are lots of visiting boats, many of them quite beautiful.