August 18

We decide to try for a quieter anchorage. Greg B's dad was right, Desolation Sound and its island are the new place to be (further north and less frequented. Maybe next year with some additional communication prep for Canada). We motored up to Patos Island (Patos means "duck" in Spanish) and just miss getting a mooring. The guide advises not trying to anchor, so we head back to Ewing Cove on Sucia Island 48 45.8N 122 52.89W We passed many harbor seals sunning on the rocks (so much nicer than sea lions on the docks) coming in and occasionally saw porpoises. Cindy and Squishy will enjoy the quiet. I row in to hike and explore the island, which is all a state park. God is good. We are glad we did not get a place at Shallow Bay as a narrow strip of land connects the bays and it was hosting a party that all of Shallow got to hear. We were far enough out we didn't. It was a warm day, definitely summer. Doug got an enjoyable 6 mile hike and probably a good mile of rowing in. We made a pot of chili for dinner (not a day for crabbing, fishing still not working for Doug), enjoyed hearing the seals bark (Squishy, not so much), owls hooting back and forth, and a Schooner coming in to anchor.