Waiting on the "Orca Highway"

There's a stretch of water between Canada and San Juan Island, called Haro's Straight, that's considered the best place in the world to see wild orcas. Pictures on the Internet show the orcas right by the shoreline. That's because there's an immediate 750 to 1000 foot drop. Other pictures show orcas spying and breaching right next to kayakers. This is the experience we hoped for, but knew it was a matter of timing and luck. In fact, it was not until late this evening that we learned there is only a 21% chance of seeing an orca.

On our first day, we were lucky enough to see the orcas from the road. Tonight we learned that that pod, L Pod, were on their way to the Pacific Ocean to meet K Pod, who, ironically enough, had been wintering in Monterey Bay. K Pod is tagged, that's how this information is known. Again, we didn't learn all of this until this evening, and this morning we were determined to spend time trying to spot these magnificent creatures. We rented a car, braved the wind and rain, and headed to Whale Watch Park. Where we watched. For three hours. In the wind and rain.

Two hours into our vigil some kayakers fought the swells and paddled by us. I am truly grateful that our kayaking experience yesterday was much different.

Three hours in, the rain really started to pour and the dampness was bone chilling. So what did we do? Got in the car and went to see the alpacas.

From the alpaca farm, we headed north to Roche Harbor, where we saw a wedding take place.

From the harbor, we hiked through a cemetery in the forest to a mausoleum. We had seen pictures of this and found it to be beautiful and haunting. I kept thinking of all those "Children of the Corn" type movies as we went deeper into the forest (along a well-marked trail that bordered on property where the mildest of signs read "Keep Out").

There are conflicting stories about the missing column. The book in our hotel room says that it's because the son of the creator of this mausoleum married outside of the family's religion.

After our hike, we headed back to Whale Watch Park, where we watched porpoises for a few hours. There's actually one in the picture below. I know. You'll just have to take my word for it.

In the evening we were able to tour the lighthouse, and that's where we learned all the great info about the pods. We ended our day with a visit to Mona. If you can't see an orca, why not go for the most random island experience? She'll be the last picture.

Eric looking for whales.

Inside and outside the lighthouse.

Mona. Yep, she's a camel, on an island, in Washington!