EARLY SPRING IN THE SAN JUAN ISLANDS

Sucia Island

   We are really surprised  to see so many boats this early in the season. Every night the dock here has been full. When we get up in the morning there has been frost on the docks but it warms up nicely in the afternoons.This is the first time I have been to this island when the grass is green and not dried up and brown.

Still trying to find just the right place to store things. Everything has to fit just right when you are dealing with a small living space.  Yesterday I replaced the water filter on the ice maker and spent some time cleaning.

The tug Garth Foss

                                 

                   When we left Anacortes we saw the  tug Garth Foss standing by just outside the marina. It was built in 1994 and is one of the most powerful tugs in the world. It is 155 feet long and 46 feet wide. It's twin diesels have a combined horsepower of 8000 hp and will push it to 14 kts. It can also double as a fire boat and can spray 6500 gallons of water a minute. The crew works15 days on and 15 days off.  The oil refinery at Anacortes is in the background.

The Coast Guard Cutter Cuttyhunk

We passed the Coast Guard Cutter Cuttyhunk on Wednesday. This vessel was built in 1988 and is 110 feet long. It's home port is in Port Angeles. It's missions include law enforcement, drug and illegal alien duties, also search and rescue. They will often stop boats for a safety check but so far we have never been stopped.

The dock at Sucia Island

Taking the dogs for a walk

                       

Boats at anchor early morning

   Sucia Island is one of the islands that forms the northern boundary of the San Juans. This island was never officially opened for homesteading but in the early days cobblestone for the streets of Seattle was quarried on Sucia.  In the 1950s' Sucia was purchased in part by the state and in part by an association of boating clubs and turned over to the State Parks and Recreation Commission for use as a marine park.
    The park consists of 564 acres and is accessible only by boat. It has over 50 campsites.The name Sucia, meaning "dirty" or "foul water" was named by the early Spanish explorers who noted the dangerous rocks and reefs near it's shores. It's attractions include beachcombing, fossils, crabbing, hiking, fishing, and scuba diving.
    Most of the San Juan Islands have wild animals on them but I have never seen any on this island. Lots of bird life but not a squirrel, rabbit, raccoon, deer, or any other animal.