Ben Ure Spit

Friday I got some great stress relief by hitting the water again at Deception Pass.  Leaving Bowman Bay the tide was so  high that I was able to cut through Lighthouse Pt rather than go around.  There is usually a beach here but there was about six inches of water covering the beach so we were able to slide through (very carefully).  There were all kinds of inlets that we were able to explore that are usually high and dry.

The gravel beach above was underwater allowing a short cut.

Once at Canoe Pass the current was completely calm.  With no current to play in we decided to explore a bit, something we never do at Deception Pass.  We rounded Pass Island and headed to Strawberry Island.  I’ve seen all these places before but it always has been in the context of playing in different currents or racing.  It was pretty cool to just poke around and enjoy the scenery.  Continuing along we went all the way to Ben Ure Spit.  The charts refer to it as Ben Ure Spit, but it is also called Ala Spit.  I can’t figure out when or why it was renamed.  The Cascade Marine Trail Guidebook refers to it as Ala Spit, yet every chart and even Google Maps refers to it as Ben Ure.  I prefer Ben Ure because there is interesting history to go with it.  Ben Ure was an Anacortes man that was a pirate and smuggler in the 1800’s.  He had an Indian wife that was “rather large.”  She would position herself behind a fire on Strawberry Island blocking the fire with her bulk to warn Ben Ure of Patrol boats in the area.  She would sit in front of the fire when it was all clear.  So who was Ala? Why the need to rename the spit?

The spit itself is pretty cool.  It is covered in driftwood and several driftwood forts have been built.  The kind of place I’m sure a kid would absolutely love.  There are four Marine Trail campsites here.

We left the spit and headed out toward Hope Island and rode the gentle current back to Canoe Pass.  We saw several seals that were curious about us as always, a river otter, eagles, kingfishers, and I was lucky enough to see two Sea Lions in Canoe Pass.  The weather was rainy and gray so not a good day for photos.

Back at Canoe Pass the current was ripping through.  No real waves but the eddy line was very strong and was spinning our boats very fast.  What a great ride.  Some of the fastest current I’ve been in and a very clean line.  I was really wishing I had my new boat that is still being built.  Can’t wait!

A great day and after some really tuff times at work and with losing my wonderful dog it was great to get out on the water for some stress relief.