Sucia Island Archives | Jennifer Donogh

Back on Land After 2 Weeks “Out”

The morning started off slowly at Sucia, making pancakes while Shane prepared the deck for our departure. We left at 10:30, on schedule with the current. Wyatt chilling on deck. The wind wasn’t great. We motorsailed most of the way, with Shane killing the engine as we got closer to Semiahmoo Bay to sail a bit. while he sailed I worked on my food inventory spreadsheet, making a shopping list from it. Emerald water coming out of Sucia. The water today was amazing. So mixed up, but wow! The colors went from a bright emerald green to light green, brown.[...]

Travel Log

Transient Orcas Attack!

It's been a whale kind of day. The last time we saw whales we were also at Sucia Island. Shane was the first to see the Orcas, getting a sneak attack on his paddleboard this morning. He was rounding Matia Island, Puffin Island, Puffin Island Reef, and Wiggins Reef. He was about to pass Rolfe Cove when a pod of Orcas were exiting right in front of him! He stopped and was able to grab some epic videos of his encounter. He said it was the best paddle of his life, seeing so much wildlife at once. https://www.instagram.com/p/Cfw5qpivZBo/ Shane texted me sh[...]

Travel Log

I’m Jonesing for another sunny day!

We started off the day at Jones Island where we anchored and stern tied the day before. Shane had islands north of where we were at he wanted to paddle, so his day started at 5am. I waited in bed when he left as rain started to fall. It was a light rain and was over before the day began. He paddled Flat Top Island, Gull Rock, White Rocks, and Danger Rock circling around each of them on his SUP. We’ve had a mix bag of weather this week. It’s been filled with sweatshirts and pants, with the odd warm air and sunshine moments here and there. At times ra[...]

Travel Log

Last Day at Sucia Island

Sunday, fun day! We slept in a bit as the sun came over the other side of the land, giving us a little extra shade. There was a nice breeze going. It didn’t take Shane long to jump in the dinghy and go sailing. After spending what felt like most of my day in the galley on Saturday, I had vowed to not make any meals on Sunday. Spoiler alert, my cooking and dish washing ended up to be pretty minimal! I’ll show how I did it in a bit. Wyatt being funny getting ready to paint. To begin with, Wyatt and I spent our morning getting crafty in preparation for[...]

Travel Log

Saturdays are for Organizing

We’re not on vacation. This is our normal life, but on a boat, in new locations. I love having rhythm in our days, weeks, and seasons. Saturdays are a good day for getting things ready for the week ahead. Sundays are for resting, being with family, and reflection. Grammy and Grampy left after breakfast. We had so much fun having another boat to chat and explore with. Shane went out sailing in the morning on the PT Eleven. The wind was blowing through Fox Cove, so he was having a blast. After breakfast Wyatt joined him. Wyatt is becoming a strong waterman, ta[...]

Travel Log

A normal Friday, but make it extra!

With our 4:30am departure time, Shane saw a couple of the planets lined up next to the moon. If you woke up early enough you could see five planets lined up with the moon. How cool! By the time I got outside only one planet was still lit up. Nevertheless, a beautiful sight. Early morning moon off our port side. The gorgeous sunrise kept getting better as we went on. There was no wind and the water was as smooth as glass in parts. Shane had planned our departure in mind of our schedule and also with the currents. We were cruising along at 8.5 knots, even aft[...]

Travel Log

Sucia Island Day II

Shane circumnavigated his remaining islands around Sucia Island on the paddleboard. He has a goal of paddling all named rocks and Islands of the Puget Sound. There are over 300. He’s put a pretty good dent on that over the past couple of years. It definitely helps to be a swim platform away from the area you’d like to paddle! He was back before 9am. During that time I was able to get a barre workout in. Without the inverter on, my connection to the outside world is not great out here (until later when we hiked). Thankfully, the barre service I subscribe to[...]

Travel Log

Happy Father’s Day from Sucia Island

Shane woke up early to go around a few islands before we pulled anchor for Sucia Island. Our coffee guest! A beautiful eagle encounter before breakfast. While he was paddling the boys and I had the most amazing eagle encounter! Out of the corner of my eye it looked like something big had fallen from the sky. When I darted my eyes over I saw it was an eagle, sitting ready for takeoff after noticing our excitement in seeing it. I yelled for the boys to come see and we had fun watching it for the twenty or so seconds it was with us. Monkeybread breakfast![...]

Travel Log

Visiting the San Juan Island Boaters Love the Most

Our sailboat family of four head to Sucia Island in the San Juan Islands. I've been there as a teenager, but haven't been back since. Most boaters we've talked to admit, while this island is always busy over the summer, it's still their favorite destination to cruise to. It really is incredible. In this video we are stopping by Sucia before we head south for the winter. Well, south as in Port Townsend - still in the Puget Sound. We're still getting comfortable with our new boat while cruising the Salish Sea. Our boys are homeschooled - with some help from a[...]