Tumbo Island never disappoints!

For Memorial Day my family took off for Tumbo as we have the past several years. This was our first voyage from Anacortes. It turned out to be a bit longer, but also more scenic, compared to the trip from Friday Harbor. It was right about 30 miles to Tumbo on a straight line.

Like a space ship approaching a distant world

It was ebbing on Saturday as we began our journey north. I am still learning the peculiarities of the currents there on the eastern side of the San Juans. You more or less avoid the main channels and try to catch eddies wherever possible. We made our way north and enjoyed the immense beauty of Lummi Island and Cypress. What grand places.

Dinner!

There is something magical about Boundary Pass that goes beyond the international boundary. In fact, the only reason it is the international boundary is because it is so special! As a large gap between otherwise thickly packed islands, it is both a major water drainage and transportation corridor. Whenever we cross it we know we will be accompanied by harbor porpoises and seals. We have seen Dalls porpoises as well, but not in years.



Part of what makes Tumbo so idyllic is the setting. At the eastern edge of the Gulf Islands it commands an unbeatable view out over the Straits of Georgia and north along Saturna. When the sun sets in summer, it sets right over the northern reaches of the Straits which is actually over the horizon form the cockpit of a boat. So the effect is that the sun is setting over the open ocean. And the sunsets! My Buddha the sunsets!

Is there anything better in life than exploring a wild beach?

We had no sooner dropped anchor among the six or so other boats than hopped into the dinghy and rowed over to Cabbage Island. The sandy beaches on Cabbage are irresistible and we were a bit surprised to see them much diminished. Perhaps they will build up again over the summer. That sand must come from the outflow of the Fraser River.

We enjoyed the long weekend hiking and playing and exploring. We had an incredible and relaxing time. One of the highlights was seeing Humpback whales right off the eastern side of Tumbo. The commercial whale watching boats had come over from Friday Harbor and Victoria, but we had a front row seat right from the beach! They were not more than 50 meters off from the beach, and hanging out.

Loads of bald eagles, and a few oystercatchers.

We played some epic games of beach baseball and even had an audience for a while. We played some beach football too, with Owen and I winning handily.

The trip was all we could ever hope for, and does for us what nothing else can manage. Somehow it is both relaxing and invigorating. And we need both.

On the edge of the universe...of our minds