FALL VACATION 2011 - 9/16/11

Friday, 9/16/11  -  Anacortes, WA

We begin our day with our familiar bowl of Raisin Bran.  But this is no ordinary day.  Today we the join the crew of Island Explorer and stalk the wild Orca with Island Adventures, one of the local Anacortes whale watching outfits.

Rain is predicted for the next few days, but there is a break in the weather today and we wait at the dock in filtered sunlight.  We are introduced to Brook, our naturalist for the day.  She takes roll call and reads us some sea faring rules.  A harbor seal greets us as we ascend the gangplank in anxious anticipation of the day.

Captain Mike meets us at the bow and introduces Tyson, the deckhand/galley cook.  Ok already, let’s get this barge moving, I’m ready to encounter the great killer what, the Orca.

Our naturalist Brook describes the islands of the San Juans.  We are most impressed by the fact that Paul Allen of Microsoft fame has his 25 million dollar island up for sale.  It is a steal at 13.5 million.  Evidently he has been hit by the economy as well.  But BUYER BEWARE:  there is no water on the island.

Seabirds float around us, but no whales.  We are now an hour into the trip.

We spot our first Orcas about an hour out.  The male is “Mystery” and the female is “Lulu”.  They are identified by their dorsal fins, just as you might be identified by your teeth xrays.  Lulu does some fancy spinning and jumping and the passengers cheer.  Unfortunately I seem to always be looking in the opposite direction and miss the show.  This happens frequently and I start to get frustrated.  I put my camera down and decide to just enjoy the trip, to be in the moment, to experience the moment through my eyes and not my camera lens.  It’s a good decision.  I cheer as Mystery breaches near me and sprays water from his spout.  I hear the unmistakable sound of a whale breathing.  It is exhilarating.   

Naturalist Brook tells us there are three pods of Orcas in the San Juan Islands.   They have the unimaginative names of “J Pod”, “K Pod”, and “L Pod”.  I mean come on, these are killer whales man, can’t we at least refer to them as “Killer Pod 1” or Killer Pod 2”?  But, as most of you already know, the “killer” thing is a myth.   Nonetheless, they are impressive.

We spend a couple hours floating amidst the whales.  A few come close to the boat, but most are in the distance.  They are foraging and hanging out.  Fred and I are somewhat disappointed as we recall the last time we were whale watching in the San Juans and an entire pod swam around the boat and we followed them for hours.  But today we are grateful for every privileged encounter.  They are so magnificent.

It is time to head back to port.  Everyone settles in for the long ride home.  Some head for the galley and hot food, others take naps.  This is what Fred decides to do:

We arrive back at the dock around 5:00 pm.  We return to the RV to prepare a quick dinner of COSTCO roast beef, mashed potatoes, and fresh asparagus.  Not one of our better evening meals, but the asparagus is good.

We spend the rest of the evening trying to figure out what we are going to do for the next eight days while the RV is parked in this campground.  We make an attempt to read the ferry schedules and are frustrated.  Who the heck writes these things?  Surely it doesn’t need to be that complicated.

We settle on a route up the Sunshine Coast in British Columbia that only requires two ferry crossings.  Besides, we have always loved BC and it will be a treat to explore an area we’ve never seen.  So, we shall see if we stick to our plan tomorrow.

Lights out at 9:30.