Our skiff driver
Our guide, Megan, who will be moving with us to our ship when it arrives
Ah, the Pacific Northwest in spring. The one thing you can count on is changeable and challenging weather. So this morning we found out that high winds were predicted for today so kayaking had to be cancelled, but no worries! There are also hikes and a skiff tour on offer, so we opted for the skiff tour.
Last night the trip from Seattle to Deception Pass provided some excitement as the ship was rockin’ and rollin’ from yesterday’s wild weather. At one point in the night around three a.m., Tami was rudely awakened by the cabin door flying open. Our cabin opens directly onto the upper deck and we had not realized how to properly latch the door. It did not take long for Tami to assess the situation as the wind impertinently entered the cabin, but it there was a little muted cursing involved.
Deception Pass
More Deception Pass
After spending the morning being instructed on safety getting in and out of skiffs and kayaks, we were ready for a little adventure. Our skiff tour took us for a great view of east approach to Deception Pass. The tide was turning so we could not get too close to the bridge itself, but we had a very dramatic view of the power of the water rushing through that narrow space. We did, however, later go through the Pass in the ship once there was a slack tide and it was fun to see it from a different perspective.
Some wildlife (but not acting very wild)
Water going out FAST
After dinner one of the crew presented an entertaining and well-researched presentation on The Pig War, the infamous international incident on San Juan Island that nearly sparked a war between Britain and the US in 1857. In short, a British pig ate the potatoes in a US garden and refused to leave. Said pig was shot by the angry farmer, who subsequently offered to pay for the pig. The offer was not accepted and the dispute escalated. The British wanted to arrest the farmer. Things were already tense since ownership of the islands was in dispute. US troops were sent in. British warships and marines were sent in. A stand-off entailed and the military occupation lasted 12 years. Fortunately diplomacy eventually prevailed and Kaiser Wilhelm I helped broker an agreement that the islands should belong to the US. We did not find out if anyone ever paid for the pig, but the farmer was not arrested.
Fisherpeople
Bird
Anchor chain