Henry Island

The Seattle Yacht Club Outstation at Henry Island is one of two Outstations in the San Juan Islands. Each is very different from the other.

Here on comes to be with nature, your loved ones and meet new friends. It is but a short dinghy ride to Roach Harbor for shopping, dining, fuel and the hub-bub of an Island community.

As we departed Sidney, we had the opportunity to witness the blind seal returning to the Sidney Marina after a visit to the fish processing plant. Folks in the marina know this seal, it is resident and apparently likes to live on E dock. It is probably very safe in the marina, behnd the seawalls, away from predation by Orca. Does it navigate by sense of smell or hearing? I have seen it swimming in the shallows, amonst the Carins.

On the left, a picture of the shallows at low tide. on the right is an image of the carins that are under water during other times of the day.

Our trip to Henry Island was a short distance of about 10 nautical miles. Sidney is in the Canadian Gulf Island and as I mentioned earlier we, are in the San Juan Islands of Washington State. As you can imagine we had to cross the invisible international boarder and were required to check in. As we did when we reported in to the CBP in Alaska, we used CBP to clear into the Washington State. It was easy peasy, we did unfortunately have to dispose of some fresh fruit and vegetables that are restricted on return to the US. A short dinghy ride to Roach Harbor and the items we tossed were replaced at the new higher than anticipated cost.

I had read about the cost of groceries going up but was not prepared by how much prices had risen, since our departure on this journey in May. Too late to plant a veggie garden, but not to late to start preparing for the garden next year. I digress, forgive....

Our days in Henry Island were spent walking the dogs, meeting new folks, going to Roach Harbor for dining and shopping. One of us took a tumble into the water and fortunately, no injuries were sustained.

I had asked about an off leash area to exercise my dogs, Luna and Dusty and were told there were ample trails, no mention of a dog run. Stever and I took the dogs for a long walk after docking and we found the SYC tennis court. The Club provides some balls, racquets and a back stop for basket all.

Dusty is addicted to tennis balls, so we took the opportunity to run her and Luna on the court. Little did we realize the effect that would have on them. When we arrived back to the boat we noticed how worn their nails were and bleeding from a few! Rinse with cold water and the application of stepic powder and they were none the worse for wear. We discovered the dog run, as we departed the tennis court.

During the walks with the dogs, we noted the deer and had been advised that there is a resident fox but had not yet seen it, until our last night on Henry Island. The fox seemed to be having a wary stand off with a deer. Eventually the deer went back to grazing and the fox went to the pavilion looking for tidbits to eat.

From the top left: Ed at the helm of the tender as we are leaving Roach Harbor; When you live on an Island, 911 can mean a helicopter ride; The Thea Foss (you can read more about this lovely Icon of the PNW boating at rainshadownorthwest.com); The flag mast at Roach Harbor where, at sunset, the COLORS ceremony is conducted every night to retire the colors (flags);The marina at Henry Island SYC Outstation; The Roach Harbor Yellow Jacket Burgee, LOL; The fire pit ring; The beach with sit on kayaks available to members and their guest; the Caretaker's residence, and Henry Room; A view of Magic Carpet from one of the ramps to the floats; Park benches with Hiada motif; The childrens pay gound; The pavilion that was visited by the fox as it scrounged for tidbits around the BBQ grill and tables.

Tomorrow we head to Friday Harbor.