April 4, 2010 - Turn Island Marine Park, Friday Harbor

Kathy's parents are here from Idaho, along with their good friends Chet and Terry. They arrived Thursday and the plan was to head out on the boat Friday afternoon. But, as it turned out, the weather just didn't cooperate with our plan. 40+ knot winds all day Friday kept the boat tied in its slip until Saturday morning.

We managed to get away from the dock Saturday morning but the wind was still blowing around 20 knots so we decided to head north up the channel to minimize our exposure to the wave in Rosario Strait. The crossing was fine and we headed through the scenic San Juan's for Turn Island Marine State Park which is very close to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. Along the way the kids colored, did crafts, and played games.

Playing games with Pops.  Tulips from the Skagit Valley

There are no boats at Turn Island so we grab a mooring buoy and almost immediately head for shore.  This place would be great for group camping.  There are several nice beaches, great places to kayak or sail the little boat, and there are a bunch of campsites with fire rings.  We even found a rope swing.  We hike all the way around the island and then dinghy back to the boat for dinner.

Bob and Barb, Terry and Chet

Dinghy headed back, Cindy and Kevin

After dinner we dinghy back to the beach for a campfire.  Despite some very wet wood Kathy and I get a decent fire going and we roast marshmallows, and make smores.  It's a pleasant evening with no wind.

Campfire on the beach

Kevin, Cindy, and a fire made from very wet wood

It's a pretty early night and we are all asleep by about 10:30.  What a calm night, until 1:30 when a huge set of waves rolls under our boat tossing it about like a cork!  Kathy and I scrambled to catch things that are falling off the counter tops.  Bottles and glasses are clanging together.  The tulips are knocked over.  Cabinet doors come open.  What a rude awakening that was!  For the rest of the evening there is a steady wind and waves rolling us from side to side.  Kathy and I don't get much sleep. 

In the morning we decide to get the heck out of Dodge and go over to Friday Harbor and drop the anchor.  When we get closer though Kathy talks me into calling the harbormaster to get a guest slip.  Much to our surprise it's FREE.  Maybe it's because today is Easter, or maybe it's just because things are slow right now?  The wind is blowing about 20 knots and the spot I've picked for us on the guest dock isn't much longer than our boat.  I have to "parallel" park our boat with a strong breeze blowing us off the dock, while only having about 5' on each end before I hit our neighboring boats.  It takes three tries, but I do manage to get Synergy pulled into the dock without incident.

A tight parking spot

Now it's time for breakfast.  No waves, no rolling around.  Much better; I'm glad we moved.  After breakfast Bob and Chet are headed out to try their luck Salmon fishing.  Yesterday we came over to Friday Harbor by dinghy to get fishing licenses, tackle, bait, advice on hot spots, etc.  They get on their gear and head out in the dinghy.  It's still windy and wavy outside the breakwater and they end up trying a few different locations attempting to get out of the waves.  But, no luck catching any salmon.  Better luck next time you visit.

Breakfast at Friday Harbor

Bob and Chet playing chicken with a bigger boat

Bob and Chet returning.  UW Fisheries Research buildings behind.

Meanwhile, Kathy, her mom, Terry and the kids are headed to Friday Harbor to check out the shops.  This is the 'hub' of the San Juan's and is the most developed city in the islands.  There are a lot of shops here, but its Easter Sunday and a good deal of them are closed today.  There is a seafood shop in the marina that has a seal floating next to it waiting for scraps.  It's very cute because the seal is just floating there, reaching out a front flipper as if he's waving at the shop keeper.  The kids love it. 

Going shopping

After several hours at Friday Harbor we decide to head back.  The winds have not really died down as much as we'd like; but it's quite calm inside the islands.  Once we get out of the protection of land however, sea conditions take a dramatic turn.  The waves are building quickly, the ferry that we are following has slowed WAY down.   Almost like flipping a light switch things go from very comfortable to full blown roller coaster.  Things are crashing off the counter tops.  The kids have hit the deck (lots of previous experience in rough water has taught them that being low is a good place to be).  I can hear people in the salon exclaiming about the roughness.  Whatever activities were going on in there came to an abrupt end as everyone tries to grab loose items, and find a secure location for themselves.  I am feeling bad for our guest who surely aren't used to this.  We have to slow down and angle into the waves, increasing the time and distance we are going to be stuck out here.  The wind meter is showing 35-40 knots, and the forecast is for 10-15knots.  Whatever! 

The bow of the boat is crashing through the waves, sending spray up over the top of the boat.  Wipers are running full speed to keep up.  My wind meter's alarm is set for 35 knots and it is now sounding continuously.  For a better vantage point I head up to the flybridge.  I can also feel the wind up there to better judge the speed and angle.  We spend perhaps 45 minutes slogging through this mess and finally near Washington Park we start to feel relief from the waves as we duck into to protection of the land mass known as Anacortes.  Phew, that's over.

Two WA State ferries passing

Just after we pull into our slip in Shelter Bay (almost dead calm in here) the Coast Guard issues a weather warning on channel 16 for near Gale conditions in Rosario Straight.  I wish they had issued the warning two hours ago because I could have avoided most of the mess by taking a route further north.  Oh well.  That's boating in the PNW.