Amy Marie Visits - Stuart Island

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Beth on the Park Dock in Prevost Harbor on Stuart Island

After 50 years I returned to Stuart Island.  In the early 1970’s I tagged along with Lee and Lorraine Sims and their extended family in a 3-boat convoy to the San Juan Islands.  I had not seen or visited this wonderland until they invited me along.  That trip was the moment I fell in love with the Pacific Northwest.  On this trip we are visiting some of the spots at which we stopped on that initial exploration.  


Mike on the Park Dock at Reid Harbor. 
Amy Marie in the background.



The Reid Harbor dinghy dock



A shore side campsite with Amy Marie in the distance

As we have more time to linger on this trip, many more locations will be found, explored and enjoyed.  The beauty which originally captivated my imagination is still present.  Just this morning we awoke to a family of otters playing in the water and on a nearby dock.  Yesterday a deer casually walked by us as we sat eating a snack while on a hike.  We are constantly surrounded by the songs of birds and bald eagles can be seen soaring above the treetops.  This truly is a magical place on earth.


A deer casually walking by...

This was Beth’s first visit.  So, it was time to put on our hiking shoes and explore.  The island is one on which only hardy people live.  There is no power other than what people have created, off the grid, for their own consumption.  There are no stores.  All supplies must be purchased elsewhere and brought to the island by boat.  There is no post office.  A mail boat delivers mail 3 times a week and the islanders sort it themselves.  The reward of living on Stuart is to experience the lifestyle of 100 years ago, with selected modern improvements, in a beautiful location.


Hiking by one of the Stuart Island Campgrounds



A perfect day for a hike

On our hike we visited the site of the island school.  It has been closed for about 10 years as there are insufficient children living on the island to keep it open.  One of the original school buildings is now the island library.  All lending is on the honor system.  Another building is the one room island museum.  The displays and pictures very eloquently tell the story of the early settlers and their struggle to make a living in this remote location.  It was very well done.


The original island school buildings
The one on the left is now a museum and the one on the right is the island library



The island history is informatively presented in the museum



An early homesteader - Willis Maxfield



The island library, complete with wood stove


On the edge of the school grounds was an honor store.  Local artists made apparel and greeting cards with locally themed artwork available for sale.  Purchases were paid for via Venmo or you could mail a check.  It was all on the honor system. Proceeds were used to support community activities.  We were happy to purchase and support their efforts.


The "honor system" store



Here are the shirts that Beth & I purchased at the "Honor Store"
We paid for our purchases with the smartphone app - Venmo


One pleasant surprise was the number of campsites.  Campers arrived by kayak and boats to enjoy a close to wilderness experience.  Potable water was available as were clean pit toilets.  Each camp site had a table and a fire ring.  We tied to a mooring ball and dinghied to shore.


Very nice campsites in the state park

Our stay was short, just one night.  On the morning of our departure, we were entertained by a group of otters frolicking nearby.  Bald eagles flew overhead on the lookout for a quick snack.  As we departed for Pender Island, our path was crossed by a single Orca.  This particular animal had a male dorsal fin, which is usually about twice as large as a female’s fin.  We slowed and stopped our engine to watch him pass. 


Still water at sunset

 

Stuart Island

  • There is a pump out located on a floating barge in Reid Harbor
  • There is limited dockage at the state park docks in both Reid and Prevost Harbors
  • Mooring balls are available in both harbors.
  • Reid Harbor has two rafts with a picnic table to which you can tie.

Track Logs



Comments

  1. AnonymousJune 3, 2023 at 7:00 PM

    Your blog is simply THE BEST— both writing and photography. If you’re getting NEBO maps, consider publishing them here so we can follow along. I’ve been wearing out Google Maps.

    Best wishes for continued good weather and safe cruising!

    Bill Kight
    Ranger Tug “Cookie”

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mike and Beth's AdventuresJune 9, 2023 at 4:38 PM

      Excellent Idea! I have created a page for solely track logs. I'll add my Nebo tracks to this page on a regular basis. Here is its URL: https://mikebethadventures.blogspot.com/2023/06/mv-amy-marie-summer-of-2023-cruise.html

      Delete

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