2009-08-10T10:30:00.001-07:00

On the August holiday Monday, three of us decided to take a cruise through the San Juan Islands. Anke and I met at Peace Arch Park parking lot at 6:45 a.m., left my car there and drove to Ladner Bus Exchange. Here we met Ruth who left her car there and we got on the bus to catch the 8.00 a.m. ferry from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay. It was a simple trip with an easy connection and we were soon on board and eating breakfast in the Coastal Cafe.

It It was a bright warm sunny day and we enjoyed the familiar scenery as we passed through Active Pass and on to Swartz Bay. When the boat docked, we got off, went outside and caught the bus to Sidney. Here a few short blocks got us to the Washington State Ferries terminal at 10:20 - in ample time for the 11.20 sailing to Anacortes. We went through a brief pre-immigration screening, bought our tickets and were let into the terminal area. Quite a surprising number of cars had already arrived and there was a sprinkling of walk-on passengers waiting. We took a look around the gift store and enjoyed taking in the scene while we waited.

The ferry came in and unloaded and we were told there would be a ten minute wait before we would be allowed on. Then the gates were opened and we all started boarding. The Chelan was a modest size boat, a lot smaller and less daunting than the BC Ferry monsters and also a lot older and rustier. The facilities were modest and a small cafeteria with limited service was open for the first half of the trip only.

We sailed past Sidney Island with its long protruding Sidney Spit before reaching open water and then the first of the islands. We hit a stretch of fog and had to slow down. We hoped this would not persist and spoil the trip but luckily it cleared and we resumed our normal speed.

I hadn't realized how many San Juan islands there were and I hadn't thought to bring a map. San Juan Island, Friday Harbor and Shaw Island were obvious, although they took longer to appear than I expected. But a number of small attractive islands showed up in the early stages - all very brown and dry - what California calls gold. I never did make out Orcas Island or Mt. Constitution which we had climbed about a month earlier. However, as we neared Anacortes, the views became more familiar and we could recognize Guemes Island and Mt. Erie.

We had to pass through customs and immigration in Anacortes and then we made our way to the Skagit Transit bus stop. The ferry was 20 minutes late but this was no problem as we still had another 20 minutes to waiting for the 2:05 bus to get us to March Point for a 2:30 connection. However, the minutes ticked by and still no bus. At about 2:20 I thought we should phone but there was no telephone number available, so I went to find out. This was a mistake as I almost missed the bus when it did eventually come. There had apparently been massive ferry delays and traffic line-ups and the bus had been caught up in it all. We eventually made it through Anacortes and on to March Point, but far too late for the 2:30 bus to Mt. Vernon. We went for a coffee stop while we waited for the 3:30 bus instead.

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The Island County bus for Mt.Vernon arrived and we set off on our journey across the fertile agricultural area. We went across the high bridge over the Padilla River which separates Fidalgo Island from the mainland and looked across the fields to the south towards the tulip growing areas of La Conner. To the north was the road to the picturesque little village of Edison and on to Chuckanut Drive for a scenic trip to Bellingham. However, ur route continued to Mt. Vernon where we reached Skagit Station for our next transfer. We had 20 minutes to go in to the station to use the washrooms and when we came out the 80X for Bellingham was already waiting.

We headed up the I-5 past the casino and hotel and turned off at the Alger Park-and-Ride. Here we had a fine view of Alger Alp, a popular short hike on a winter's day - up and back before noon. At Bellingham we had 15 minutes to transfer to the Blaine Express and we were off on our final leg. Over Whatcom Creek, the subject of many delightful fall hikes - especially when the weather forecast tells us it will be wet in Vancouver and fine in Bellingham. We stopped at Ferndale terminal and then carried on to Blaine City Hall. We could have waited ten minutes to go the one last stop but I was lazy and we walked to the border crossing. No line-up and we were through in quick order. Anka drove us in my car to the Roundhouse restaurant and we celebrated our $25 cruise. It then only remained to take Ruth back to her car and each of us went to our separate homes.

Return to Further Walks.

San Juan Cruise