Sucia Island, At Last

The anticipation of Summer has peaked for your correspondents this early June, because here is the month that will make or break our long-developed plans and preparations. Final tasks are being mechanically worried about. Soon there will be little left to do but sail and survive.

Later in June we plan to get comfortable in Lopez and East Orcas Island sounds, to approach the locals and to find work, so it seemed appropriate that we round off our Spring exploration of the outer islands with the crown jewel of the San Juan archipelago, Sucia Island.

The shrimp-shaped wonderland is one of the most popular destinations on the Pacific Coast. It rests north of Orcas, about two miles above point Thompson. It was our furthest trip yet, and the voyage to get there on Sunday was the wettest.

Really, it could have gone either way. Yr. cresp. had been looking forward to Sucia long before it was a real possibility, but the departure weather was all wet and no wind, and we have convinced ourselves to stay home in better weather. This time, however, we were determined to get there; the forecast for Monday and Tuesday was reasonably good.

Miss Duncan joined us in the morning; we pulled out our big-bird gear and took off for Sucia through four hours of staccato downpours.

By evening time we were anchored in the remote Ewing cove on the north side of the island, having decided against sharing the mammoth Echo Bay with a half-dozen boats.

Still in wet weather gear, we took a soggy hike along the narrow northern stretch of island to get an idea of the place, viewing about a thousand slugs and snails in the process.

The many campsites on Sucia are each uniquely private and comfortable, but for the night we slept on board Layla, and the rain was no more.

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Monday was a sunny whirlwind of exploration. After a big breakfast on the boat, we motored around to the popular Fossil Bay.

Once on shore, we hiked along a narrow southern stretch of island and relaxed on the grassy cliff side. From that point on, the day became somewhat of a daze filled with beaches, coves, otter chases and dinghy rides.

The pictures speak for themselves.

I have never felt so simultaneously exhausted and contented as at the fire Monday night, eating Darci's soup and watching the last light fade.

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On Tuesday there was much rest, a small amount of hiking, and a long voyage home. Finally there was a breeze to sail under, so we reached south around Carter Point and back into Bellingham Bay in the evening.

Even in writing this I am tired from the trip. It was amazing to say the least, and it took every ounce of energy to have that amount of fun. Your correspondents hope to visit Sucia numerous times in the coming months.

***
A few notes:

We will be sailing again and sailing often around the twentieth of this month, so check back for new posts around that time. Internet access will be limited in the islands, but I will be writing and compiling pictures to post in bundles whenever we find a hot spot. So, if you don't see anything for a period of time keep checking back, because I plan to keep this project a high priority.

We will be safe, and we will stay in touch!

~e.w.