We took a long weekend and went up to Orcas Island for Valentine's Day :) On Friday, 2/15/08 we paddled from West Sound through Pole Pass and around Crane Island. We got going later than we'd hoped to so we were paddling against the ebb current through Pole Pass, which was running at appr 2 kt at the time. Once we were through Pole Pass we didn't have much current against us. Then as we were heading east through Wasp Passage on the south side of Crane Island the ebb current helped us along nicely.
We were the only kayakers we saw out that day, and nearly the only boats period. As we were paddling back near the mouth of West Sound the Coast Guard came by in an inflatable boat and checked on us. It was windy and rainy at the time and it was clear they wanted to make sure we could handle the conditions. Nice to have them out there.
Weather: 40's, rainy most of the day, but we got a few periods were water wasn't falling out of the sky. Winds: S 10 kt (but sometimes we were in sheltered spots). 1 ft wind waves.
8.35 nm.
2 comments:
Sounds like a most idyllic outing. I was up there last year about this time. We camped on Jones Is. a State Park, just west of Crane Is. We had it to our selves. No hot tub but it was very very nice. Thanks for the armchair tours.
Craig
Yes, I love that whole area. Kristin and I camped on Jones Island with a Body Boat Blade class in June 2006 (see http://www.jaybuckingham.com/photos.htm ) and had a great experience. That was our first class where we focused alot on trip planning: weather, tides, currents, routes, escape plans in case things don't go as planned, navigation on the water, etc.
But exploring up there in the fall and winter is so peaceful and magical.
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