Sailing North in strong winds and meeting humpback whale

June 19, 2019 –To reef or not to reef was the question. We sailed out of the harbor under full sail and took some shelter by cutting in through the Wasp Islands. Harbor seals were warming their body temperature resting on the rocks as we sailed by. Cut through the narrow pass of Coon Island and a fast sail to Jones Island state park.
We went to first reef in the lee of Jones before crossing to Flattop Island National Wildlife refuge and adjusting to second reef. Many eagles were gathered on the Eastern edge of Flattop Island. Harbor Porpoise popped up around us as we crossed to New Channel. A beautiful calm respite drifting between the Cactus Islands with its kelp forests and harbor seals in fast flowing current.
After coming through Ripple Island Pass we crossed into Canada meeting a humpback whale at Tilly Point. We sailed parallel along the edge of the shipping lane before leaving to check out Java Rocks. It was a national geographic scene here as bald eagles and Black Oyster Catchers played out their roles.
We visited Monarch Head with its stunning geography before crossing close hauled heeling into wind towards Skipjack Island National Wildlife Refuge. We took some shelter in the lee of Waldron Island while we had our BBQ dinner. Sailed across President s Channel before traveling close to the old growth forested steep shoreline of Orcas Island. Two birthday cakes today and a real treat with hearing happy birthday sung in another language I believe to be Cantonese.
Once again into the lee of McConnell Island before a fast sail into wind across San Juan Channel and home to Friday Harbor.