2014 Summer Solstice Orcas Whale Watch

Lia scheduled a Orca Whale watch tour for us out of Deer Harbor, again we looked forward to returning to one of the marinas where we stayed when we chartered a boat to sail the San Juans.

The Transient docks were nearly empty, the Summer Cruising Season starts July 4th

The Whale Watch Operators were excited to tell us that K pod was meeting up with J and L pod today so we would get a special treat and see almost 90 whales all together meeting like the first day of school.

we got there early so I wondered around taking pics of cool wooden vessels.

Thats the Marina Store

Always row boats about, you see locals using these as little commuters and work boats, I wondered why you do not see so many people rowing along the Gulf coast and remembered it is just to hot, better to use a outboard so you can go fast and create some breeze!

All the harbors have lots of private mooring bouys.

Thats our Whale watch vessel on the other side of the Island Packet.

I think this is the vessel we will be sailing on tomorrow for the Day sail our daughter scheduled for us all.

Lots of small passages to get out to the San Juan Channel

This vessel can make 11-13 knots, and up to 17 with a favorable current.

A popular rock ledge to view local Seabirds on the South East end of San Juan Island

Another whale Watch tour about to pass us.

This was our location at first sightings of the J,K, and L Pods

Way in the distance you could see their huge fins, the skipper slowed to a crawl.

Nice day to be on a boat in the Straight of Juan De Fuca as it is very calm, These Seas can get just as wild as the open North West Pacific 

We learned from our previous whale watch trips to put the camera down and just enjoy the whales since it is so difficult to get a shot, but this time there were so many so close we tried for a while.

Everyone saw at least one breach during the trip there were so many.

This is the Famous Orca Researcher Kenneth Balcomb out checking on the whales, it is like they knew him and followed him. See http://www.whaleresearch.com/#!staff/cyhe

Their Dorsal fins are Huge!

Several just feet away

Lots of Tail flapping.

Did not matter where you were on the boat you got to see plenty of wahle action on this trip.

Looking out the Strait towards the  Pacific Ocean, Lot of Water!

I think these guys are crabbing but it is hundreds of feet deep here?

Not uncommon to see a tall ship sailing around here.

Friday Harbor, that's the Victoria Clipper on the left, we did three whale watch trips on that vessel.

Entering the narrow pass to Deer Harbor 

That's Turtle Back Mountain just behind Deer Harbor

Cruisers up here prefer sailboats or Trawlers, and no Light Displacement vessels at all.

Harbors like this make you want to visit all the rest up here.

2014 Summer Solstice Orcas Whale Watch
http://deerharborcharters.com/deer-harbor/

As a gift from our Lia and Russell we went on a whale watch tour out of Deer Harbor.  The Admiral loves these trips, This one was a Serendipitous for several reasons, the perfect weather, and a uncommon gathering of all three resident pods J, K, and L all in one place providing the opportunity to see nearly 90 whales. The naturalist told us it was like a big greeting ceremony sort of like the first day of school when everyone returns and gets together.
All the whale watch boats are in constant communication so everyone knows exactly where the whales are and there we lots of vessels in about a 2 mile diameter circle area where all the whales were. These vessels have to stay a designated distance away from the whales but they turn their engines off and drift so if you drift in among the whales that's OK but you have to wait till you drift out before starting the engines. as a result we drifted right into the mix and their were lots of whales on all sides of the vessel so everyone on board got to see one or more breaches, lots of tail flapping, lots of baby and mom pairs, large groups surfacing together.
Ken Balcomb, a well known Pacific Northwest Whale researcher who we had the pleasure of attending one of his Whale Seminars recently in Seattle just happened to be out at the same time observing the whales. The naturalist on board immediately recognized him and pointed out the small vessel they were in. After watching the small research vessel it was like the whales were coming up to him to greet him. Not sure  if we will do any more Whale Watch tours to see the Orcas after this one since it would be hard to beat this experience. We do keep up with the Orca activity in the area from the local Orca group on Facebook which updates the goings on with J,K, and L pods almost daily. These resident whales have been the primary stimulus for the reduction in pollution in Puget Sound. The ongoing research points directly at sources of pollution that affects the well being of these incredible animals and since they have become the poster child of the PNW it has raised awareness enough that the whole region is on-board for eliminating pollution in these waters

2014 Summer Solstice East Sound Orcas Island

Getting on the ferry at Anacortes the Admiral got this shot of a Mother Cormorant nesting

Lots of small marinas dot the San Juans like this one at Lopez Island, a ferry stop.

Eastsounds Suites are perfect for a large family get together located above the two shops on the bottom floor, We took both sides accommodating 3 families, 6 adults and two children  just right.

We have been to Paradise several times but this is Heavenly.

Everywhere that has not been cleared for the local farms dotted around Orcas Island is Thick forest

Several Mooring balls are available on the East side of the sound.

Not sure what this gull is eating, Octopus?

We walked a short distance to check out this grassy area park at the North west corner of the Sound

As we were walking we spotted what we thought might be a Sea Otter, we hollered at Russell and George below and they confirmed it.

Click on this pic then zoom in, It is s Sea Otter!

The admiral enjoying another rocky beach at low tide.

These islands were formed by glaciers a long time ago exposing the rock as they receded, that's why you have to do your homework before sailing through here. 

I was hoping to get a pic of this clam in the tide pool wide open but my presence shut his mouth!

The other danger sailing the sound, they can be floating vertically in the water or even horizontally but 2-3 feet below the surface.

Russell pointed out this lone tree that makes it easy to identify their property on the west side of East Sound.

Gotta go check out the small dock.

A free dock provided by the county to help you come ashore and buy something.

Just enter this shady lane to the dock.

The tides make the ramps go up and Down.

Looking at the North shore and Eastsound the little town. 

Every Community needs a meeting place and a Dance Hall.

Our daughter led us here now we can find it on our own!

My Happy hour spot.

2014 Summer Solstice East Sound Orcas Island

There are all kind of Planners in the world like wedding planners, family planning, trip planners, education planners and on and on. Little did we know that our daughter became the Complete Planner when we were not looking. She plans everything. So she planned for all of us + Drews' Uncle, Aunt, and cousin to all go to Orcas Island for 5 days over the summer solstice weekend. 

She booked the Eastsound Suites which worked out to be perfect for our kind of trip with two families + 1 set of grandparents. the 2.5 hour drive to Anacortes from Seattle goes by pretty quick and we managed to get on the Ferry right away without a wait.The Ferry ride through the San Juan Islands to Orcas is always a great trip and promises a different experience each time.This would be our 5th time to visit Orcas so we were excited to have a great weather forecast and a chance to have several days to visit some of our favorite spots and do some new stuff. Orcas is a Saddlebag shaped Island and very hilly and has the highest Mountain in the San Juans in Moran State Park with Mount Constitution. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orcas_Island Our choice for lodging is due primarily do to the Summer Solstice Parade is held in East Sound so our planner wanted us to be within walking distance o enjoy a ful day of Summer Solstice party there.
The East Sound is a huge body of water and has it's own micro weather system. We first came to the East Sound by way of a 42' Tayana that we charted to sail the San Juans. We enjoyed the marina at Rosario Resort a couple of days so we looked forward to having 4 nights to enjoy the North end of the Sound.
I had to divide up this post since there was just to much to put into one as our Planner kept us busy with fun activities.If you come to Orcas it does not matter where you sleep, everywhere on this island is a piece of Heaven.

Pagdiriwang Philippine Festival and The Black Arts Fest

Before going to the Philippine Festival, the Admiral wanted to go down to the Waterfront Park to check out some typr of family Festival going on down there but first we stopped to get some pics of the New Sculpture at the Seattle Art Museum's Sculpture Gardens "Echo" which is lit up at night as a beacon to all those coming to Seattle by water.

Sometimes the old and beautiful nymph Echo would distract and amuse Zeus' wife, Hera, with long and entertaining stories while Zeus took advantage of the moment to ravish the other mountain nymphs. When Hera discovered the trickery, she was so annoyed she punished the talkative Echo by taking away her voice, except in foolish repetition of another's shouted words. Thus, all Echo could do was repeat the voice of another see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echo_(mythology)

WE saw "The Not It's":  http://youtu.be/4LgFGlHztb0

You use the spring board to place a fish on and step on it to spring the fish into the Penguins basket 

Pagdiriwang is the Filipino word for “celebration.”  The festival celebrates important aspects of Philippine culture, arts and history with the theme, “The Sarimanok Soars.”

I was just wondering if this was Leslie's lost Father, he shows up with his disco ball and dances at most of the festivals.

Where else can you hear all this cultural music for free?

Even Philippine Hip Hop

Non Stop Dancing!

A litlle bit of Africa

It's interesting what different religions teach, even more interesting what they do not teach.

Just another invention by a Black American

Even though the crowd was small she was pretty captivating.

Only 180 years ago.

This guy had some type of synthesizer built onto the body of a guitar like instrument, He was a great 1 man band! Check out Michael Powers and his instrument at http://www.michaelpowersmusic.com/

You can see the crown is small outside as well, These dudes play to the younger generation.

Seattle Blues at it's finest, this guy was smooth as silk. Sorry I can't remember his name. He had the crowd .

Pagdiriwang Philippine Festival and The Black Arts Fest

Pagdiriwang is the Filipino word for “celebration.” and my only guess for the small turn out at some of these cultural festivals at Seattle center is that he participation directly reflects the size of that particular culture in the Seattle/King County area. Or it could be that they have only been participating in these annual festivals for just a few years so their festival has not developed to the extent other festivals have. Maybe it is a money thing? But I think it is a population thing.
Either way the best part of the Philippine festival was the food, and often that is the best part of all the festivals to get to eat authentic foods cooked and prepared by the those who have been eating it their whole life. The music and dance is right nest to the food and then depending on how big the festival is you get a small to large dose of the Art, history and literature of the culture.
It was good we spent the early part of the day checking out a family festival at Waterfront Park. I always enjoy a walk along the waterfront, the festival their was geared mainly to families with young children so we just cruised through just checking it out, Drew can come next year.

Black Arts Fest

"Seattle Center Festál presents Festival Sundiata - Black Arts Fest. Explore and experience the cultural roots and contemporary influences of African-American culture through live performances, hands-on activities, food, fashion and worldly gifts. Join in African dance workshops, learn traditional drumming rhythms, and take in the richness of black culture during a weekend filled with continuous entertainment. The festival is named for legendary 13th century King Sundiata of West Africa's Mali Empire."

There is a difference between the African American Culture here and the culture in the Southern US. The Admiral noticed it to and we would have to live here a lot longer to figure it out or to understand it but of course there is a difference in the Anglo population in the PNW as well compared to the South. I'll just blame it on the climate differences but of course there is a lot more than that. One thing is the same and that is the Blues! We had the most fun at The blues and soul stage and spent most of our time there. The food is different, no southern comfort food at all. South wins on the food court!. The other part that is the same is the early history of Black Americans and through the trial these people have lived through they certainly speak with one voice. Al l of our lives have been graced with the music, dance and Art of this wonderful and colorful community.
There are are several types of festivals at Seattle Center:

Upcoming Festivals Year-round--sunshine or rain--Seattle Center celebrates the flourishing communities and cultures that make the city vibrant. The Center comes alive with every stage, pavilion and arena offering treats for the sense. 

Northwest Folklife Festival	May 24 - 27, 2013
Bumbershoot: Seattle's Music & Arts Festival	August 31 – September 2, 2013
Festál Cultural Festivals *	Year-round event dates
Movies at the Mural	July 27, August 3, 10, 17, 24 & 25, 2013 at 9 PM
Seattle International Film Festival 2013	May 16 –June 9, 2013
Seattle PrideFest	June 30, 2013
The Groupon Bite of Seattle	July 19 - 21, 2013
Whirligig!	April 6 - 21, 2013

Only three of the above require $$ for admission, The Bumbershoot, the International film Festival, and the Groupon Bite of Seatlle. All the rest are free but if you go you will spend on the food for sure, it's just to good to pass up.

* Festál Cultural Festivals 

Festál, presented by Seattle Center in partnership with community organizations, is a year-long series of FREE events that honors the cultural richness and diversity of the Pacific Northwest.  Festál plays a vital part in Seattle Center efforts to connect our dynamic and varied communities.

Tết Festival: Vietnamese Lunar New Year	January 25-26, 2014
Irish Festival	March 15-16, 2014
Seattle’s French Fest: A Celebration of French-Speaking Cultures	March 23, 2014
Seattle Cherry Blossom & Japanese Cultural Festival	April 25-27, 2014
Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration	May 4, 2014
Spirit of West Africa	May 10, 2014
A Glimpse of China: Chinese Culture and Arts Festival	May 17, 2014
43rd Annual Northwest Folklife Festival	May 23-26, 2014
Pagdiriwang Philippine Festival	June 7-8, 2014
Festival Sundiata presents Black Arts Fest	June 14-15, 2014
Iranian Festival	June 28, 2014
Polish Festival Seattle	July 12, 2014
Indigenous Cultures Day	August 16, 2014
BrasilFest	August 17, 2014
Tibet Fest	August 23-24, 2014
Live Aloha Hawaiian Cultural Festival	September 7, 2014
Seattle Fiestas Patrias	September 13-14, 2014
Italian Festival	September 27-28, 2014
CroatiaFest	October 5, 2014
TurkFest	October 18-19, 2014
Dia de Muertos: A Mexican Celebration to Remember Our Departed	November 1-2, 2014
Hmong New Year Celebration	November 8, 2014

Not sure if any other city does so much to enhance the quality of life for their citizens when it comes to providing entertainment and fun. The Largest of the events we have seen include the BumberShoot, Pride Fest, and the Folk Festival in that order. It doesn't hurt that we live just three blocks away from all this.