Killer Whales to Spare

Friday Night at Aleck Bay

What a day! We made a few inquiries and found out that the Killer Whales may be found on the eastern shore of San Juan Island.

However; there was a slight mishap when we docked at Roche early this morning. Lara forgot to put the fenders out. Swift action by the home team averted disaster; Jim threw on the thrusters and Lara stuffed in the fenders. Jim hates to look like a doofus but I just can’t help myself. I guess I am the Jedi Master doofus maker. Jim is the Padawan Apprentice.

Our Jedi Master at Roche this afternoon:
With the display of incompetence behind us, we headed out on our self-serve whale watching trip. We cruised slowly down the eastern shore and sure enough – the whales came out to play. Shamu, Namu, Bamu, Slamu, Whamu and BabyMu – the whole Mu family. Several times during the day, the official “go fast” whale watching boats joined us and much of the time it was just us and the whales. At one point, five killer whales surrounded our boat. Actually we really had non stop whale action for about three hours. Photography is actually quite difficult as they move very quickly.

This one off the back of our boat (see dinghy cover and railing). This one right next to us on the port side.

These just good whale shots:

Tonight we experienced a beautiful sun going down (9pm).

Thursday was spent at Rosario Bay, Orcas Island; home of the Rosario Harbor and Mansion. The mansion was built in 1906 by a ship builder by the name of Robert Moran. The upper level is a museum of the house, remains true to its original state, is furnished in turn of the century furniture and fixtures. Dang those beds were really small for two people!

We purchased our first souvenirs of the entire trip; two Rosario Bay T-Shirts. Greg – First Forty – thanks for the offer on your buddy. We would have called him but we were gone by the time your email reached us. Email connectivity continues to be sketchy in these islands Here we are off Rosario:

A local told us where to place our crab pot. When Jim picked it up, it had 3 females and one large male. The females are “illegal” so they were returned to the Sea. Here is the male crab in the gallows awaiting his fate:
In Coming Up off Rosario Bay. Notice that our dinghy is being towed now.

Goofy Boat Name: Victoria’s Other Seacret.