Windy sail with T35A's, T38A's and T137 siblings

October 10, 2020 – Strong winds were forecast for today so we went to the second reef on the main sail after leaving the dock. Just as we got underway a whale sighting was relayed about a pod of orcas coming down Upright Channel in our direction. The orcas were later identified as the T35A’s, T38A’s accompanied by T137B and T137D. At first winds seemed surprisingly light as we sailed towards Turn Island and across San Juan Channel.

The orcas were moving quickly and we were able to see their blows as they got closer traveling in a tight group. We had a nice pass viewing the orcas as they went by, but we had a hard time keeping up under sail since they were moving so fast. When we spun around, the winds were coming up the channel from the southwest and the seas were a little sloppy as we were pointing into it. Spray was coming over the bow and folks were getting salty. The orcas were heading towards Griffin Bay and further into the slop so we opted to get a couple distant looks before spinning around to head north for an easier, more relaxing family sail.

Several harbor seals were hauled out near Danger Rock and a great blue heron stood in the kelp bed alongside Turn Island. Good winds behind us gave us a nice sail over to Shaw Island where we hugged the gorgeous coastline up to the Wasp Islands. We found more harbor seals and group of pelagic and double-crested cormorants on Low Island. A bald eagle was standing in the tall douglas fir tree on Little McConnell Island. As we got to the top of Spring Pass we stopped for awhile to enjoy the views in all directions before coming about.

Passing north of Reef Island and in through the narrow Pole Pass we sailed peacefully to the Orcas ferry landing to drop off our passengers saving them a trip on the ferry. With dramatic dark skies to the west we went southeast and around the bottom of Shaw Island returning back to Friday Harbor just before sunset.