My intention on a recent trip to the San Juan Islands in Washington State was to kayak with orcas. I envisioned being on the water with an entire pod of orcas coming to greet me. I saw myself being close enough to the magnificent mammals to look one directly in the eye. Despite the fact that encounters with orcas are rare, I had just finished an eight-week Conscious Manifestation course and had the power of the universe behind my intention. So, what happened?

Friday Harbor, San Juan Island

Taking the ferry from Anacortes, WA we arrived in the charming town of Friday Harbor. The ferry pulls right into the town center with shops and restaurants within walking distance.

I read that the best chance to see orcas this time of year was on the west side of the island. We stayed on the northwest side at the historic and also charming, Hotel De Haro in the Roche Harbor Resort.

Roche Harbor, San Juan Island

Roche Harbor is loaded with history, patriotism, multi-million dollar yachts, and a bit of mysticism. U.S. presidents have graced the doorstep of the Hotel De Haro with the logbook containing Theodore Roosevelt’s signature on display in the lobby.

Colors Cermemony

Every evening in the summer before sunset, Roche Harbor presents a colors ceremony by retiring the flags of Roche Harbor, Washington state, Great Britain, Canada, and the United States. Patriotic songs play through the harbor while the flags come down. And before the American flag is lowered, a cannon is fired over the harbor. The ceremony concludes with the playing of Taps, a round of applause, and a salute of horns from the boats in the harbor. It’s a moment of patriotic gratitude and well worth witnessing. It’s also uplifting and rather remarkable that the tradition has continued for over 60 years.

The John S. McMillan Memorial Mausoleum

What about mysticism? John S. McMillan, the builder of Roche Harbor, had a different view of the afterlife and built a unique (to say the least) mausoleum for his family. After a short walk from the harbor, a wooded trail leads you through a cemetery to the mausoleum, Afterglow Vista. John named the structure Afterglow Vista due to the enchanting reflection of colors of the harbor during sunset. The monument is the final resting place of McMillan, his wife and children, and one of the family’s employees.

When you read the information placard, you realize that every detail of the monument is meaningful and intentional. Read more about the history of Roche Harbor and the McMillan family here.

A quest for orcas

I did my part. I got on the water and kayaked in the Haro Strait where orcas are known to pass through. Being so close to the sea and its wildlife in a kayak really makes the experience of the place so much more dynamic. I felt a deep connection and oneness to it all.

The San Juan Islands are a marine habitat for bull kelp forests. Bull kelp can grow up to 200 feet from the sea bed and creates a vegetative raft you can literally “park” your kayak on. Sea otters and seals also use the kelp beds to nap on and they provide cover from predators like orcas.

And you can eat kelp. So, I did a little bull kelp tasting . . .

Kayaking around the islands was serene, beautiful, and spiritual. But no orcas were to be seen. We were only in the San Juan’s for a few days and it was our only chance to kayak. I realized my original intention was not going to manifest. Orcas were not going to greet me and somersault over my kayak. At least not on this trip.

My next best shot of spotting orcas was in Lime Kiln Point State Park.

Lime Kiln Point State Park

“Set on a rocky bluff at the west end of San Juan Island, Lime Kiln Point is considered one of the best whale-watching spots on earth.”

https://parks.state.wa.us/540/Lime-Kiln-Point

The ruggedly gorgeous park has several trails, rocky bluffs, and panoramic vistas ideal for whale watching. It’s the perfect place for a picnic and to just sit and be.

The park also has a historic lighthouse built in 1919 that’s open to the public, and an interpretive center with interactive displays and educational activities about orcas.

After a few glorious hours of just sitting and being, no orcas were to be seen. My trip was coming to an end, so my last attempt at seeing orcas in the wild was a whale-watch boat tour.

Whale-watch boat tours, San Juan Islands

With a fleet of boats working together to spot killer whales, you’re almost guaranteed to see orcas on a whale-watch boat tour. Sailing out of Friday Harbor on a double-decker boat with about 80 passengers, we had a chance to spot a bald eagle and some lounging sea lions before sailing to Canada (yes, Canada!) to catch up with the orcas.

And finally . . . the orcas!

The Rolling Stones said it best: “You can’t always get what you want”

What’s the point of practicing manifestation techniques if you don’t get what you want? I think that’s a fair question to ask. The entire premise behind The Law of Attraction and books like The Secret is that if you’re completely focused and intentional on what you want it will manifest. I felt like I was very clear on my intention of having an orca encounter and I visualized it happening. So, why didn’t it manifest?

Eckhart teaches that while we can intentionally guide our lives in a particular direction, we’re never in control.

 “Life is multidimensional,” says Eckhart, “and no matter what you achieve or do, the scriptwriter in the sky who is infinitely inventive will always surprise you.” 

Eckhart Tolle

I also wasn’t attached to the outcome. I wanted to encounter orcas on the water but I wasn’t going to be disappointed if I didn’t. Maybe one of the biggest and most liberating lessons I’ve learned on my spiritual journey is accepting what is. That doesn’t mean I want what is or like what is, but it’s no longer my enemy. I’m okay with it. So perhaps my intention on attracting orcas wasn’t all that focused. Maybe the vibe I was really putting out was more along the lines of, Hey, come visit me if you’re in the area, but no worries if you can’t make it. 😊

Regardless, there’s incredible freedom in living in the present moment — in embracing the Now. And I learned from my experience, which is what I love most: learning and growing closer to my true nature — my authentic Self.

With You on the Journey,

Jackie

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