Friday Harbor, Washington
We arrive at Friday harbor
By GERRY BARKER
North Palm Beach Life
Published May, 2023.
Photos/Video by Gerry Barker
American Constellation is docked on San Juan Island, at a town of some 2,500 people named Friday Harbor. The name derives not because it's a haven for weekend celebrations, but, according to Wikipedia, from a man named Joseph Poalie Friday, a native Hawaiian, who herded sheep here in the 1860s.
This is Day Six of our 10-night, Grand Puget Sound cruise on American Cruise Lines, and the sun is out in all its Northwest Pacific glory, bathing the waters and evergreen-lined shoreline around us in a radiant glow.
Last night, the entertainment in the Cascade Lounge was a Seattle-based quartet, The Chancellors, who delivered a spirited set of musical favorites in high style. We learned the keyboardist is a member of the Seattle Symphony, and a special tip of the hat to the lead singer, who was smooth as silk.
Today's tour is the much-anticipated "Whale Watching Cruise," where we need to be assembled on the dock by 8:30 am. Passengers can either take a 10-minute walk to the tour boat or a one-minute ride in the ship's tender, otherwise known as a motorized launch. We opt for the latter, along with most of the other 54 people going with us.
The tour is sold out, so word again to the wise: Reserve your chosen tours as early as possible.
Whale watching is big business around these parts, as the Puget Sound waters are home to Orcas, Humpbacks, Minke and Gray whales, along with a wide range of aquatic mammals, such as sea otters, sea lions and seals. Sharp-eyed birders can also see bald eagles and sea birds that inhabit this region. We are welcomed aboard "Odyssey" by Captain Pete, assisted by two marine biologists, who will tells us more about what we'll see during a three-hour-plus tour.
North Palm Beach Life
Published May, 2023.
Photos/Video by Gerry Barker
American Constellation is docked on San Juan Island, at a town of some 2,500 people named Friday Harbor. The name derives not because it's a haven for weekend celebrations, but, according to Wikipedia, from a man named Joseph Poalie Friday, a native Hawaiian, who herded sheep here in the 1860s.
This is Day Six of our 10-night, Grand Puget Sound cruise on American Cruise Lines, and the sun is out in all its Northwest Pacific glory, bathing the waters and evergreen-lined shoreline around us in a radiant glow.
Last night, the entertainment in the Cascade Lounge was a Seattle-based quartet, The Chancellors, who delivered a spirited set of musical favorites in high style. We learned the keyboardist is a member of the Seattle Symphony, and a special tip of the hat to the lead singer, who was smooth as silk.
Today's tour is the much-anticipated "Whale Watching Cruise," where we need to be assembled on the dock by 8:30 am. Passengers can either take a 10-minute walk to the tour boat or a one-minute ride in the ship's tender, otherwise known as a motorized launch. We opt for the latter, along with most of the other 54 people going with us.
The tour is sold out, so word again to the wise: Reserve your chosen tours as early as possible.
Whale watching is big business around these parts, as the Puget Sound waters are home to Orcas, Humpbacks, Minke and Gray whales, along with a wide range of aquatic mammals, such as sea otters, sea lions and seals. Sharp-eyed birders can also see bald eagles and sea birds that inhabit this region. We are welcomed aboard "Odyssey" by Captain Pete, assisted by two marine biologists, who will tells us more about what we'll see during a three-hour-plus tour.
The spectacular scenery we pass, including the rocky, tree-covered shores of islands in the stream, are the result of glacial activity thousands of years ago. Go just a little ways offshore and the water can be over 800 feet deep.
It wasn't long before one of the biologists pointed out a harbor seal over to our right. Wait -- false alarm. It was a piece of wood. Everybody back to their seats. Later on, the captain gets a report about a humpback in the area, and sure enough, we find it. It's a juvenile, and comes to the surface every 3-5 minutes for air. By law, boats have to keep their distance, but even so, we get some good photos as we follow it on its journey. By this time, two other whale-watching boats have joined us.
It's distressing to learn about the plight of these magnificent animals, whose numbers have steadily declined due to lack of food supply, which also affects many other life forms up and down the food chain. We can only hope the work of dedicated scientists and institutions can turn the tide, so future generations can enjoy their beauty.
On returning to the ship, bartender Nikki's "welcome back aboard" drink is called a Blue Whale, which tastes a whole lot like a blue-green Bahama Mama. Whatever color it is, and whatever you call it, it's a keeper. Next up is a sit-down lunch in the dining room, where they are serving a delicious orange chicken with fried rice, followed by a Neapolitan for dessert.
It's such a gorgeous day, we decide to regroup and head back out to explore Friday Harbor. The marina area looks like a picture postcard, with a number of shops and restaurants where you can stop and admire views of the harbor. Pam says it has a little of that Alaska vibe going on, and she's right.
After stopping at the Rip Tide Cafe for a cappuccino we find an outdoor table where we watch the Washington State ferry depart and a seaplane make a landing. It's one of those idyllic moments you want to bottle and take back home, to enjoy again and again.
For those staying onboard Constellation, there's a movie trivia contest going on, along with a "putting challenge" on the putting green, located on the top deck. The ship's marine expert, Paola, is giving a talk on the indigenous, Salish Sea "Salman people" while later in the evening, Jeff Spence is back on piano with "Songs to Sail By."
We'll be pulling up anchor and heading for our next stop, Port Angeles, Washington, where we are scheduled to visit Olympic National Park. Let's hope the weatherman continues to forecast lots of sunshine. Stay tuned.
NEXT: Port Angeles, Washington
It wasn't long before one of the biologists pointed out a harbor seal over to our right. Wait -- false alarm. It was a piece of wood. Everybody back to their seats. Later on, the captain gets a report about a humpback in the area, and sure enough, we find it. It's a juvenile, and comes to the surface every 3-5 minutes for air. By law, boats have to keep their distance, but even so, we get some good photos as we follow it on its journey. By this time, two other whale-watching boats have joined us.
It's distressing to learn about the plight of these magnificent animals, whose numbers have steadily declined due to lack of food supply, which also affects many other life forms up and down the food chain. We can only hope the work of dedicated scientists and institutions can turn the tide, so future generations can enjoy their beauty.
On returning to the ship, bartender Nikki's "welcome back aboard" drink is called a Blue Whale, which tastes a whole lot like a blue-green Bahama Mama. Whatever color it is, and whatever you call it, it's a keeper. Next up is a sit-down lunch in the dining room, where they are serving a delicious orange chicken with fried rice, followed by a Neapolitan for dessert.
It's such a gorgeous day, we decide to regroup and head back out to explore Friday Harbor. The marina area looks like a picture postcard, with a number of shops and restaurants where you can stop and admire views of the harbor. Pam says it has a little of that Alaska vibe going on, and she's right.
After stopping at the Rip Tide Cafe for a cappuccino we find an outdoor table where we watch the Washington State ferry depart and a seaplane make a landing. It's one of those idyllic moments you want to bottle and take back home, to enjoy again and again.
For those staying onboard Constellation, there's a movie trivia contest going on, along with a "putting challenge" on the putting green, located on the top deck. The ship's marine expert, Paola, is giving a talk on the indigenous, Salish Sea "Salman people" while later in the evening, Jeff Spence is back on piano with "Songs to Sail By."
We'll be pulling up anchor and heading for our next stop, Port Angeles, Washington, where we are scheduled to visit Olympic National Park. Let's hope the weatherman continues to forecast lots of sunshine. Stay tuned.
NEXT: Port Angeles, Washington
Day 6 Slide Shows
Walking Friday Harbor |
Whale Watching Boat |
Day 6 Videos
|
|
|
|
