Delicate sunrise pastels illume the early hour landscape. An Earthy, morning embrace. As our planet’s rotation progresses, the angle of our star to the surface changes. The light performs an ongoing transformative journey. Evening luminosity evolves from a mere hint and transcends into a ruddy dusk. The terrain blurs and retreats to the Earth’s bosom. Later, when the moon unveils its somber glimmer on the horizon… heady enchantments transpire. The scattering reflections of waterscape enhance the visual milieu, and the ingredients for luminous anarchy align.
Off the Columbia we were met with a manageable 6 foot long period swell that dimished as we gained Northerly waters. As we reached the point when we were able to veer East, the seas were calm. The sun was fading, but it was still our guiding light. This is that moment in light:
It was June 24th, 2019. 9:19 PM, GMT – 07:00. There is nothing in particular about the composition of this sunset that makes it stand out above the others that will follow. I chose it, because it represents an auspicious moment: our first offshore passage on Great Northern.
That moment chronicles our entrance into Washington State navigational waters. That alone warrants its placement as first on this memoire of light and its reflection on water. The colors are subtle. The sea is calm. Daylight is fading. Dusk is just around the corner. Night is in the wings preparing to take center stage. We were 10 miles off the coast of Washington, ready to turn East into the Strait of Juan De Fuca. Cape Flattery was to the East. From our location looking out to sea, it is 4676 miles across the Pacific to Japan.
On that day we departed Warrenton, Oregon at “0dark:30”, exited the Columbia river and crossed the infamous bar at 04:30 AM. We’d started with a 6 foot, long period swell. By the time we reached the point when we were ready to turn East, the seas were unusually calm for that coastline. The sun was fading, but it was still our guiding light. It had been a very long day jogging up the coast, passing memorable shoreline locations: Oysterville, Westport, Ocean Shores, Copalis Head, Destruction Island, Hoh Head, Capa Alava, Ozette Island… and soon we would round Cape Flattery and enter the Strait.
A contrasting sunset:
Saturday, July 13, 2019, 9:44 PM. Roche Harbor anchorage, San Juan Island, San Juan Archipelago:
November 1st 2019 0830 AM, Port Browning, North Pender Island, Canadian Gulf Islands, British Columbia:
August 6th, 2026, 12:32 AM, Squirrel Cove Anchorage, Cortes Island, Discovery Islands, British Columbia:
November 19th, 2025, Port Ludlow sunrise
September 18th, 2025, 7:20 AM. Sunrise on Vancouver Island, South of Powell River. We did a road trip from Victoria to Cambell River to check out the marina. Lovely hotel. Great beach. Terrible, noisy occupants. Construction workers from Cambell River… partied until 2am. We were considering Cambell River as a place to winter, but decided against: Too much winter wind.
Long Harbor, Salt Spring Island, Gulf Islands, BC. August 31st, 7:22AM
11/9/20 2020, Port Ludlow
June 1st, Garrison Bay:
Sunrise. August 19th, 6:09 AM. Port Ludlow / Olympic Mountains in the distance.
8/18/26 21:18 Von Donop Inlet
21:26:
5/31/25 05:31 Roche Harbor
4/6/2025, Early AM Sunrise reflection on the Olympic Mountains.
9/30/2024, 07:24 Lady Washington, Port Ludlow
10/10/25, 0850. Haro Strait off East coast San Juan Island
10/25/25 0710 . North Sanich Yacht Club dock looking East through North Tsehum Harbor:
10/25/25 2025 0743. North Sanich Yacht Club dock looking east through North Tsehum Harbor:
9/3/24, 1940PM. Burgoyne Bay, Salt Spring Island, Gulf Islands, BC.
Northwest Islands: the final frontier. These are the voyages of the good ship Great Northern. Its continuing mission: to explore notable anchorages; to seek out flora and fauna first hand. To visit Island Villages; to boldly go where many have gone before!
Salish Sea Cruising With Blair, Les, Leo, and Bliss 