Took the long weekend and enjoyed a lovely quiet weekend in Reid Harbor with our exchange student. Had the place to ourselves, as is typical in winter. The journey along Spieden never disappoints and was once again bursting with marine and avian life. Bald eagles and sea lions abound. Someday, someone will own Spieden island that will allow at least the sterilization of all those horrible non-native sheep and deer that denude the island and prevent any new growth of the oaks. In the meantime, they die and feed the vultures and eagles.
On Stuart we went out to the lighthouse and up onto our favorite hilltop. Eagles, mouflon sheep (which again should be removed, sterilized) and happy pacific tree frogs.
Calm conditions. Grey and drizzle. Another young person now in awe of the beauty of the islands.
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| On the way |
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| One of my favorite places on the planet |
2 comments:
Quiet is a beautiful thing. What were the conditions like on the water?
Bruce
It was calm. It's so rare, even in winter in the islands, when the conditions are a problem. They happen, but rarely. The forecasts are not 100% reliable as I can tell stories of major winds over 50 knots near Orcas that were not forecast. But generally, you are assured of having no trouble. Aeolus is an unusually capable boat in rough conditions, granted, but any well maintained boat is capable of getting to Stuart in all but the most severe conditions that happen rarely. Even in 35 knot SE winds, it is merely a pleasing push up to Spieden and then you are in the shelter of San Juan. We've done that many times.
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