San Juan & Gulf Islands
On this, our first full day of our voyage, the Sea Bird explored both the San Juan and Gulf Islands. These groups of islands, one belonging to the United States and the other to Canada, share a like origin. They are all that remain of a mountain range that has been reduced, sculpted and altered by time and the elements. Glacial ice sheets scoured the land and left the irregular shorelines and rounded hillsides we see today. Lowland meadows are interspersed with forest. Being in the rain shadow of the coastal range means that these islands are relatively dry. We cruised in among the San Juan group in delightful September weather, watching harbor porpoise and Dahl’s porpoise cut the surface. Harbor seals seemed to be common.
After clearing customs into Canada we sailed towards Saturna Island that borders the Strait of Georgia. Winter Cove was where we anchored and while we set out for interpretive walks with our staff, the kayaks were staged on the beach. We enjoyed a pleasant paddle along the shore and returned to the Sea Bird for our evening recap. It was a fine beginning to our expedition through the waters of the Pacific Northwest.
On this, our first full day of our voyage, the Sea Bird explored both the San Juan and Gulf Islands. These groups of islands, one belonging to the United States and the other to Canada, share a like origin. They are all that remain of a mountain range that has been reduced, sculpted and altered by time and the elements. Glacial ice sheets scoured the land and left the irregular shorelines and rounded hillsides we see today. Lowland meadows are interspersed with forest. Being in the rain shadow of the coastal range means that these islands are relatively dry. We cruised in among the San Juan group in delightful September weather, watching harbor porpoise and Dahl’s porpoise cut the surface. Harbor seals seemed to be common.
After clearing customs into Canada we sailed towards Saturna Island that borders the Strait of Georgia. Winter Cove was where we anchored and while we set out for interpretive walks with our staff, the kayaks were staged on the beach. We enjoyed a pleasant paddle along the shore and returned to the Sea Bird for our evening recap. It was a fine beginning to our expedition through the waters of the Pacific Northwest.
