After leaving Seattle, Karl cycled northbound to Vancouver while I took a detour through Whidbey Island and Fidalgo Island. Nestled between Seattle and Vancouver, these islands are rich in history, especially connected to Captain George Vancouver.

Born on June 22, 1757, in King’s Lynn, Norfolk, Vancouver joined the Royal Navy at 13 years old. His early maritime experiences included serving under Captain James Cook on his second and third Pacific voyages, which ignited his passion for exploration and laid the groundwork for his future expeditions. By 1791, Vancouver was ready to embark on a monumental journey that would produce one of the most comprehensive surveys of the northwestern coast of North America.

Vancouver’s expedition began in England, with significant stops at Cape Town, Australia, New Zealand, and Tahiti, before reaching North America in 1792. Upon arrival, his crew began charting the rugged coastline, covering everything from modern-day Oregon to Alaska. In May of that year, officers Joseph Whidbey and Peter Puget explored the Whidbey and Fidalgo Islands, mapping intricate inlets and passages. Whidbey circumnavigated the island that now carries his name, while Puget’s detailed surveys laid the groundwork for modern navigation.

What stands out about Vancouver’s work is not just the scope of his exploration but the precision of his charts. He navigated the complex waterways with extraordinary care, ensuring that future sailors understood the area’s hazards and resources. His meticulous attention to detail identified that Vancouver Island was indeed an island and unveiled features like Deception Pass, aptly named for the narrow waterway that initially misled his crew into thinking it was part of the mainland.

This relentless pursuit of knowledge and navigation has cemented Vancouver’s legacy, as many places he charted still bear his name—most notably, Vancouver Island and the city of Vancouver. His efforts also shaped the geopolitical landscape, especially as Britain and Spain vied for control over Pacific territories.

Though Vancouver passed away in 1798 at 40, his impact on cartography and exploration endures. The Pacific Northwest owes much of its early navigational understanding to his surveys.