Parks Bay & Friday Harbor

Speiden Island

Schooner Zodiac

Another short day with the intent of positioning the boat for crossing the Strait of Juan de Fuca.  Took the scenic route from Winter Cove to Parks Bay.  We started by exploring Port Browning and considered tying-up to the public dock for an hour to search for a bakery.  As luck would have it, the dock was full, so we were saved from a few hundred empty calories!  Then across Boundary Pass to Waldron Island to "drive-by" Gary and Joyce Johnson's cabin.  (They spend much of the summer on Waldron Island but were not there today).  Then to John's Island and through John's Pass to Speiden Channel.  We slowed in Speiden Channel to pay tribute to my mom. (It has been 12 years since we placed her ashes in the Channel.)  At the same time we called U.S. Customs to check-in.  Since we both have NEXUS clearance, we are generally able to clear Customs with a p
hone call and not required to come to port.  The process worked perfectly - except for the Customs Agent asking Barrie several times for his State of birth.  Barrie was born in the District of Columbia.  You would think a government employee might know that D.C. is not in a State!  We then continued around the north end San Juan Island where we saw boats "racing" toward shore where whales had been spotted.  Even the Victoria Clipper stopped to watch the show.  Finally into Parks Bay where we dropped the anchor for the night.  Barrie was content to relax in the sun but I opted to drop the dinghy and go into Friday Harbor.  The Boston Whaler is perfect from crossing San Juan Channel -- speedy and safe.  As I was tying-up to the dinghy dock, I could hear a sole bagpiper playing.  Now, that is what I call a real welcome.  Wandered through town a bit and stopped at the store for fresh local strawberries and ice cream before heading back to Parks Bay. 
Around 6 o'clock we watched a wooden schooner come into Parks Bay and anchor.  Quite a sight.  Tomorrow we will be home.