Our trip north through the San Juan and Gulf Islands has been uncharacteristically cold for July. The winds have been light as well, absent the thermal sea breeze that normally accompanies warm weather. After all the warm weather in June, I guess that’s to be expected.

That all changed yesterday! With a new high pressure system over the mid-Vancouver Island, the winds piped up big time. That also means big waves in the wide-open passages like the Strait of Georgia. Yesterday morning at 4 am we were awoken by the sounds of the wind howling thru our rigging while moored in Schooner Cove marina. With the forecast predicting even more wind in the coming days, we chose to make a run for it – bashing NW through the Strait under power.

With only an occasional wave breaking over the bow, we managed fairly well. Sure, the boat is covered in salt spray and the windows are almost opaque, but no sea water on decks. And while it was only blowing 15 knots, the fetch turns even that modest wind into 2-3 foot waves. Then it happened! Right in front of Huzzah a HUGH whale broached the surface and did a stunning tail-slap. So close was the Humpback, I had to stop the engine rather than grab my phone to snap a pic. A few minutes later we saw the Cow and Calf 100 meters astern, out of camera phone range. Oh well. After eleven hours of motoring (~80nm) we’re now anchored in Desolation Sound’s Squirrel Cove. And we’ll likely be here for days!

The title, which was loosely meant to be a double entendre, reflects the wind, waves, and whale spray sightings. Not a bad day for a retired couple cruising in their boat.

Life is good aboard Huzzah.