Blog Credits: Emily Mark, Katelyn Poon, and Isabelle Osborn
The day started off early with a wonderful wake up time of 5:00 am. We emerged from our tents to a cold and foggy dawn, with our ticket to breakfast being fully packed. Half asleep, we packed up our tents with frigid fingers and sat down to a breakfast of yogurt and granola, with hot chocolate and coffee for those who wanted. Thank you to our awesome guides Maggie, Maddy, and Kate!
After an hour of packing we made our way down to the beach to load up our kayaks with all the gear. Everything had to fit within tiny dry bags and be shoved into a compartment in the kayak. Wrapped up in many layers and rain coats, we ventured out on the frigid water.
Finding the Kayaking much easier this time than two days ago, due to the currents and winds lending us their strength, we made quick time past Yellow Island and landed on a beach on San Juan Island in just under two hours, for a short pee and snack break.
We then set off again for another long crossing, some of us soaking wet, and braved the fearsome ferries attempting to plow us down. The current turned against us and paddling became tedious but luckily lunch was not far out! We stopped at Turn Island to eat our turkey sandwiches, oreos, and chips, doing our best to dry off in the fleeting sunlight.
After Turn Island we had only a short 10 minute crossing left. All of us suddenly learned how to paddle without splashing water just in time to make our final destination on San Juan Island. On the beach we mustered our strength one last time to haul the kayaks up to the vans. We arrived back at the dorms very excited for clean clothes and a warm shower! After a break, some ventured into town to shop, others played cards in the yard, and some took naps. We all came together around 3 pm to work on the blogs.
Tonight we are so excited to welcome a very special guest, Emilio Santiago, an Archaeological Anthropologist. He has worked in many states and places including the San Juan archipelago, Arizona, California, and Colorado to manage and document historical and archaeological site. He has worked with the National Park Service across multiple regions, focusing on San Juan Island National Historic Park. Tonight he is joining us for pizza from Bakery San Juan and will talk to us about his experiences.
Learn more about him at: emiliosantiago.wordpress.com
(Everyone’s phones were dead by the end of the trip, except for Katelyn. She is also a great photographer).