Cruising San Juan Islands and Friday Harbor
“A good rest is half the work.”
Today we got a chance to catch our breath. After such an adrenaline-charged day yesterday with the morning ceremony at Alert Bay, and the afternoon of killer whales, humpbacks and Pacific white-sided dolphins, the National Geographic Sea Bird had many miles to sail to return back to American waters. We awakened to glassy seas with barely a breath of wind, layers of gray and white clouds in the sky, and a balmy temperature of 60 degrees. The mood onboard was reflective, perhaps prompted by the calm reflections of the sea, as well as the memories sparked by our Video Chronicler Jim’s video preview yesterday evening. It seemed a good day to relax on the aft 100 deck and watch the scenery go by, to gather with friends – old and new – in the lounge and on the bow, and to continue editing the seemingly endless images down to the best of the best to share with each other today, and later, with friends and family who could not be with us on this voyage.
We arrived mid-afternoon at Friday Harbor, our re-entry point to the U.S. After docking inside the marina, we dispersed about town, strolling along the docks, visiting the Whale Museum, enjoying the local artisan shops and galleries, and stopping at the local ice cream parlor. Meanwhile back on the ship, Head Chef Ryan Foley was busy receiving fresh local Dungeness crab for our farewell Captain’s celebratory feast. Yum!
What an amazing adventure this trip has been. Perhaps if our luck holds we will come upon more killer whales – or who knows what else?! – as we continue to head south this evening.
