West Sound paddle

(Image courtesy of visitsanjuans.com)

While on Orcas Island recently, I paddled in West Sound with the goal of crossing off one (or more) islands from my Around the San Juans list. My main target was Skull Island in Massacre Bay (crazy names, eh? Read the history if you’re interested). And depending on time (so I didn’t miss the ferry home) I would try to get as many as possible.

There are plenty of rocks in the San Juan Islands which are not considered islands, and not on my “Around the San Juans” list. But this day I was paddling around practically anything — the detail on my chart wasn’t great and I wanted to make sure I didn’t miss anything. And none of them are designated National Wildlife Areas so I wasn’t worried about getting close to them. I did still keep an eye out for seal haul-outs, etc. As it turns out, only the one island (Skull) counted, so the tally for the day was 1 island and 5 rocks.

The water near one of the rocks formed a tiny bay which was full of a school of small fish, feeding on algae (I think) which made the water a bright green color. And at another place, the water separating the rock from the mainland was only a few inches deep (at that time/tide) — so close! — so I had to jump out of my boat and walk / float it to get all the way around.

The water was starting to drain out of the bay on the way back, and I was getting a helpful push. I set up a ferry angle to make sure I didn’t get too much help! Half-way across the bay I saw one of those speed limit buoys (the kind that look like half of a huge, floating cigarette). And I saw something else that, at first, looked like it was man-made, a squarish object which I thought might be some kind of buoy. But I got closer I realized it was a big chunk of granite sticking two feet out of the water. That would certainly ruin your day (or night). On the chart it’s labeled as Harbor Rk. or “DANGER ROCK”.

Also on the paddle back I encountered a cool little tidal race off Haida Point, three or four 1-ft standing waves. Had I not been paddling solo (I normally don’t), it would have been fun to try and surf them! Anyway, I got back and finished off the paddle with a celebratory roll — which BTW is getting much more consistent.

After I got off the water I ran into a local guy who I knew. We took the same 5-day class from Body Boat Blade back in 2012, and we were often paired to do rescue and skills practice. It was great to see him again and catch up.

Great paddle. And I’m slowly but surely crossing more islands off my list!