Tag Archives: www.debgarland.com

Double Island – Exploring the Central San Juan Islands (Part 3)

Posted on July 20, 2023 by Deb Garland

One morning we stepped into our sailboat’s cockpit to explore West Sound itself when we noticed smoke billowing from a small powerboat’s inboard engine. Thankfully, by the time we jumped into our inflatable, the two men had doused the fire. … Continue reading →

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Canoe Island – Parlez-vous Français?

Posted on April 20, 2016 by Deb Garland

Winter sailing? You betcha! Snowflakes, like feathers from heaven, fell from the sky and blanketed our sailboat anchored on the west side of Canoe Island. Imagine evergreen trees flocked in white and the island’s rocky shoreline fringed with frost. Seabirds call to … Continue reading →

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Saddlebag Island – Camping, Crabbing & Kayaking

Posted on April 6, 2016 by Deb Garland

An impromptu invitation to go crabbing on the north side at Saddlebag Island by a fellow boater introduced us to his favorite seafood spot. I’m no crab lover, but I enjoyed the experience of traveling the Swinomish Channel past La … Continue reading →

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Clark & Barnes – Islands at the Edge

Posted on March 23, 2016 by Deb Garland

Sailing to the outer San Juan Islands can be a delightful experience. Destination islands that are often passed over by those who ride the Washington State ferries or boaters who prefer the amenities of mooring at marinas where there are … Continue reading →

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Sinclair Island – A World Apart

Posted on March 2, 2016 by Deb Garland

Not everyone desires to live on an isolated island, but it may surprise you that islanders have their limits. In 2012, a fierce January storm swept away a major portion of Sinclair Island’s public county dock, leaving its U.S. Post … Continue reading →

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Vendovi Island – A Model Nature Preserve

Posted on February 17, 2016 by Deb Garland

My husband and I met John Fluke, Sr., the owner of Vendovi Island, in the early 1980s while employed at his high tech engineering firm, John Fluke Mfg. Co., Inc., in Everett, Washington. I helped the new in-house patent attorney … Continue reading →

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A Glimpse of Cypress Island

Posted on February 3, 2016 by Deb Garland

A friend of ours decided to get into sailing in a small way. He purchased a 12-foot wooden lug-rigged Pelican dinghy designed by Bill Short and built by the Smith brothers on nearby Samish Island. From him, we learned a … Continue reading →

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Matia Island’s Hermit

Posted on May 13, 2015 by Deb Garland

Anchorage at beautiful Matia Island is enjoyable, yet it depends on favorable weather in Rolfe Cove. In 1792, Spanish explorer, Francisco de Eliza, accurately named the island Matia, meaning “no protection.” Exposed to northwest and west wind, waves can build and … Continue reading →

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