Roche Harbor

This last Thursday, Jason and I embarked on a four day trip that we’ve had in the works but have been unable to execute for some time. The loose plan was to disembark from Roche Harbor in the San Juan Islands and do a loop through the Canadian Gulf Islands. Our primary goal was to make it to Darcy Island for research on an article I’m working on, and Jason had his eyes set on making it to Rum Island. However, as I mentioned we were playing it by ear and seeing which way the wind would blow us.

There is such a difference in traveling to the San Juan Islands in the off season that it seems like an entirely different place. Over the years as the both the islands and sea kayaking have gained in popularity it’s become rather overcrowded during the season and lost much of its charm. But travel in the fall and all the magic that made this place so popular in the first place is there to enjoy.

Besides unstable weather patterns, paddling in late fall means short days, and the sun was already low on the horizon as we pulled up to the boat ramp in Roche Harbor. However, we were anxious to get the trip underway, and cast off. Just outside the harbor lies Posey Island, part of the Washington Water Trails Association marine trail, and it took us longer to pack our boats for our multi-day trip then it did to paddle to our first camp! Yet, as soon as my bow touch the beach I had that back-country feeling, even though I could see the deserted summer vacation homes just across the way on Pearl Island.

Posey only has two designated campsites, but of course this time of the year, we had the entire place to ourselves. Jason started a fire to ward off the evening chill as I set up our tent, but all of our camp chores where forgotten as the first full moon of the trip, bloated and silver, made its way over the horizon. As we scrambled for cameras and camcorders we just knew we were in for one of those rare trips where everything just seems to go right.

I was already looking forward to Darcy…