{"id":3745,"date":"2020-08-21T09:36:11","date_gmt":"2020-08-21T16:36:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jupitersway.com\/?p=3745"},"modified":"2020-08-21T09:36:28","modified_gmt":"2020-08-21T16:36:28","slug":"a-distant-island","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jupitersway.com\/a-distant-island\/","title":{"rendered":"A Distant Island"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Jupiter is Not Alone<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cruising the San Juan Islands in August presents challenges to voyagers longing for remote, unoccupied anchorages. The seasonal surge of cruising craft is compounded by Covid closure of Canadian waters to U.S. vessels, creating congestion throughout the archipelago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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After five days of intense indolence disporting the appealing and bustling resort marina and environs at Roche Harbor, Jupiter’s mariners search for solitude.

In route to Sucia Island, a popular holding ground, we are impressed with the suddenly seen, brooding sandstone headlands of Waldron Island. We divert to explore.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Waldron Island<\/a>, resembling a Swedish halberd on charts, is hidden in plain sight – bypassed by most boats for reasons known to them and unknown to us. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With its finely honed cliff edge cleaving the waters, little or nothing of this enigmatic island is reported or recommended in cruising guides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“It is sometimes best to go places where it does not always make sense.”<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Rounding the striated looming headland on approach to broad Cowlitz Bay, we see not one cruising yacht. Winds are light. Depths of thirty feet offer convenience, and the sandy bottom security. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Anchored some distance off shore, we launch our tender, IO, and putter to the public landing. A modest float, nearly aground at low tide, is attached by a steep gangway to a wharf. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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It is comforting to know that Waldron is a Nuclear Weapon and Drone Free Zone<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This arrangement for moving from boat to land does not encourage incidental visits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No Birds<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A hooded and masked youth appears indifferent to our arrival, ratifying his mood with a grunt to our greeting. A fisherman next, rowing his skiff. Attempting amiability, we ask him about fishing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Look around, there are no birds here”, we are told, as if determined to deter uninvited ornithologists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Landing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At first there does not appear to be much of anything here, and whatever exists on the island is hidden from casual view. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A magnificent ancient Madrona tree overshadows the landing. Planted beneath is an open structure, equal parts Post Office and Community Center with mailboxes, library shelves, maps, and wood stove waiting for winter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Mugs instead of mugshots adorn the walls at Waldron Island Post Office.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nearby rest remains of a doorless van, where well-aired packages are collected and left. <\/p>\n\n\n\n