Russell Island delights

 For the three day weekend honoring the final freedom from slavery for African Americans in that confederate state of Texas, we got away to the great province of British Columbia to a place with history of blending Hawaiian and First Nations people. Russell Island is part of the Gulf Islands National Park system. Here, native Hawaiian people who had been brought over as laborers for the Hudson Bay company would sometimes chose to stay after being released from service. I guess things in Hawaii were not so great with American colonization and such. They intermingled with the First Nations people and lived their lives. 

On Russell Island, a family had 13 children and the descendants still come around to give tours and tell stories at the old house. This wasn't happening on this visit but we've been coming here since 2011 and seen it several times. I guess July and August, normally, though there was a sign saying it was paused for building repairs, with no signs the building was being worked on. 

Calvi the wonder dog and a gorgeous Madrone along shoreline

Russell provides good protection from the prevailing summer southerly winds that wrap around and up Haro Strait from the Straits of Juan de Fuca. Russell is quite long, and there is a large shallow shelf on the north side that can easily fit 30 boats or more. With Salt Spring as a backdrop, it is also stunningly beautiful. Only the faintest small ferry wakes disturb the anchorage, not even enough to upset your glasses. 

View to anchorage from island

There is a trail that is .75 miles long around the west side. I continue to wish the island would see that trial continued around the east side, for a circumnavigation. Also, the island still has issues with English Ivy and Holly, both of which could be easily eradicated with some effort that seems lacking. 

The weather on this trip was perfect. We motored here from Friday Harbor and it's always lovely going along Spieden and across to Moresby. Moresby is the largest privatedly owned island in BC. How I hope someday it become part of BC Parks or National Park. 

We saw Orcas on the way there, and had a Humpback whale near Rum and Gooch on the way home! A magical get away to a lovely place. Thank you Aeolus and the Salish Sea!