August 21 - 23, Hunter Bay and Port Gamble

The weather was still cool, but improving and the seas rippled. We anchored in Hunter Bay, setting 2 crab pots on the way in. Shortly after getting settled we were joined by Magic Moment and Mirage, rafted on either side. Glen and Liz had his parents and a friend aboard, so we spent a lovely afternoon playing bridge with Doug and Gail on our flybridge. Nat and Doug bid and made another slam, Doug having bid and made 7 spades the last time we played. Nonetheless, Gail and I won the round. It was a fun afternoon.

After just three hours we picked up our crab pots, finding six keepers in one. We set for the evening as well, ending up with three more nice sized crabs. Everyone got together for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres on Reflections, and then we enjoyed a crab dinner with Doug and Gail on Mirage.

We said goodbye the next morning to Magic Moment and Mirage, and picked up our crab pots – 6 more keepers! The weather was calm and nice and we had a smooth ride across the straits to Port Ludlow. We stayed there at the dock and then were picked up by RHYC members Dick & Marilyn Hampton for dinner at their lovely home. Dick fixed a fabulous prime rib – a real treat – and we ended the evening playing some bridge there as well.

We’re back home now at Shilshole Marina. The weather is warm and hazy and the seas were like glass. Our fuel efficiency this summer was our best ever, averaging 8.9 gallons per hour and 0.82 miles per gallon. We traveled 1141 nautical miles all together, putting 157.48 hours on the engines. God and markets willing, our plans are already in the works for an even longer cruise next summer.

This is one of those times we most appreciate living aboard: we continue to enjoy marina ambience, coming home and being home being one and the same.


THE END

August 17 - 21, Tod Inlet to Friday Harbor

We cruised to Tod Inlet under hot, muggy skies, anchoring and rafting to Mirage. The afternoon was spent trying to keep cool. Nat swam while Gail, her friend Vicki and I sat on the bow and talked. The water, full of jellyfish and seaweed, looked uninviting to us. I enjoyed reading for awhile as well, gently swinging from the davit in our air chair. Dinner that evening was shared on Mirage as a thunderstorm began.

The next morning we watched an otter family feeding right behind the boats as we drank our coffee. Taking the dinghy into shore we walked the park trail, picking blackberries and apples as we went. We’d heard from Glen & Liz Dodge aboard Magic Moment, so, soon after returning to the big boats, they arrived. It was so much fun to greet them after keeping up with their adventures via their blog. Together we all took our dinghies to the lovely Brentwood Inn for lunch. Throughout the afternoon we relaxed and visited then shared dinner on Reflections’ flybridge. Desert was a delicious, fresh apple-blackberry crisp, the evening ending viewing Alaska slides aboard Magic Moment.

A fairly major storm (very low pressure for August) was heading our way once again, so we had decided to spend that extra night in Tod Inlet rather than the more exposed Sydney Spit. But the next morning we thought it best to head across Haro Strait in the morning to get tucked in. We said goodbye to our friends for now and had a gentle crossing and trip to Friday Harbor, getting a nice push from the current.

Arriving in Friday Harbor it took some time to clear Customs…no problem, just slow…then we tied up at the SYC outstation. We felt lucky to get space with the predicted wind. When we arrived, though, it was still fairly pleasant, so we walked into town for some supplies. It began to rain just as we returned. We spent a cozy evening watching a movie as the wind and rain finally arrived. The night was pretty bouncy, so we were glad to be securely tied.

The next morning we finished cleaning the boat then walked to town for lunch, once again arriving back at Reflections just as another rain/wind squall hit. So the afternoon was just another cozy, relaxing one spent reading and catching up on e-mails and blogs. We’d rented a movie in town, so after dinner we watched that.

We’re off this morning to Hunter Bay, Lopez Island where we’ll meet Magic Moments and hopefully, Mirage for one last night of crabbing and playing.

August 14 - 17, Sydney & Ladysmith

Indeed the 14th proved to be the hottest day of the summer, so our timing for summer fun was perfect. Ryan and Holly were waiting at the Van Isle Marina dock in Sydney when we arrived, and we immediately headed back north through Sansum Narrows. The current was giving us a nice 2 – 3 knot push while everyone enjoyed watching a mama seal and her baby as well as a another large seal jumping in our wake.

Arriving at Oven Island less than three hours later we all went swimming off the rocks on the north end of the island. Even Kacey voluntarily got in for a swim. After a dinghy ride around Ladysmith Harbor with Jacob and Sean we enjoyed our dinner on the dock’s picnic table. It was just too hot on the flybridge. But the evening was magnificent, the warm still air continuing. Not even dew fell, a rare occurrence in the northwest, as we danced under the rising full moon.

The next day continued warm, but a few clouds came in. While Sean and Holly kayaked around the island, we set crab traps across the harbor. For lunch we took the dinghy into Chemanus, a little town at the south end of Ladysmith with wonderful murals painted on building walls. After lunch we wandered around the town enjoying ice cream and ice mochas.

Returning to Reflections the clouds were clearing. With the waters glassy calm and relatively warm it was a perfect day to get out the inner tube for laugh-filled rides behind the dinghy. Even Linda went…it was a blast!

Our dinner that evening was late enough that we were able to enjoy it on the flybridge. After dinner the beautiful full harvest moon rose above the islands.

We were up early to another beautiful day on the 16th for the cruise back to Sydney. Once docked at Van Isle Nat, Ryan and the boys washed the boat while Holly and I bought some supplies in town. Then all went off in the dinghy for another fun afternoon digging in the sand and lying on the beach at Sydney Spit Marine Park. That evening we enjoyed clam linguine on the flybridge.

It’s now the morning of the 17th and we’ve just said our goodbyes to the kids as they begin their long drive back to Salem. We’ll head out soon to meet up with Mirage in Tod Inlet, hopefully after I upload blog and pics. I must say it’s with a mixture of sadness and relief that we said those goodbyes.

August 9 - 14, Port Townsend, Sucia & Genoa

We anchored in front of the town, meeting Ryan, Holly, the boys and Father Bill & Sue Maxwell at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. Bill & Sue live in Port Townsend, so he held the service in their beautiful little church. Afterwards, Ryan and Holly took us all to a great dinner at a nearby restaurant. Then the boys spent the night with us on the boat, the “newlyweds” going back to the Maxwell’s guest house. Not a very restful night, Sean (the youngest) deciding he wanted to spend the night in our bed. Nat had his half of the bed, Sean, I and Kacey the other half. I think everyone but Linda was perfectly comfortable.

The next morning we cruised with the boys to Sucia Island after meeting everyone for breakfast at Point Hudson. Actually, Ryan and Holly went to the wrong restaurant, but eventually we met up. It was a wonderfully calm day for a cruise back across the Straits of Juan de Fuca. The weather was improving and we anchored in Shallow Bay five hours later. Taking the dinghy to shore, Kacey became a little over-anxious and slid off the dinghy into the water well out in the bay. He swims well, but when we finally drug him back into the skiff he yelped like he was being killed. He’s such a wuss! In the meantime Sean and Jacob dared each other to dunk in the water...water about 58*. Back on Reflections we enjoyed hamburgers, a great sunset and then watched Finding Nemo.

We awoke on the 12th to a beautiful warm morning and took a 2 ½ mile hike to Fossil Bay and back. At Chinaman’s Rock in Shallow Bay the boys enjoyed climbing in the caves while we nervously watched and took some pictures. After lunch all three took the kayaks back to the beach and they and other kids played all afternoon on the logs and in the rock pools as the tide came over the warm sand. Nat and I took the dinghy in to check on them a couple of times, watched them through binoculars and even jigged for a bit in front of the bay. I caught a couple of rock fish which we fried up for dinner along with some fresh crab cakes. Once we finally convinced the boys to come back to Reflections they devoured the fish. That evening we watched another beautiful sunset followed by an episode of Planet Earth.

The weather continued good on the 13th with not a breath of wind. Jacob made us all pancakes for breakfast and then we took a walk to the rocks below Lawson’s Bluff. Pulling anchor around noon we found it thoroughly covered with seaweed, so I snapped a picture of all men aboard cleaning the seaweed-full anchor. After another calm cruise with the clouds coming in a bit we arrived at Customs. Nat called in saying that for the boys he had one original passport and two copies…no problem; they just commented that all three boys had been here before.

We spent the night there in Poet’s Cove, the boys enjoying the swimming pool as it began to lightly rain. That night they ate hot dogs with macaroni and cheese while Nat and I enjoyed steak oscar with the last of the fresh crab legs. Leaving Poet’s Cove late morning we headed to Genoa Bay on Vancouver Island there to meet Doug and Gail and their guests aboard Mirage. The boys can’t wait to stay aboard eating hamburgers and watching one of their movies while Nat and I enjoy a much needed dinner out. Moored just ahead of us as we arrived at Genoa Bay was Finally, another RHYC boat with Jack and Kay Huen.

The afternoon was spent relaxing, the boys enjoying a dinghy ride with Nat around the bay and to a nearby bakery and, of course, finding ice cream. At dinner time they ate their hamburgers on the flybridge while we enjoyed everyone’s company aboard Mirage’s flybridge right across the dock. Austin came over after a bit, preferring the company of the grown-ups. Our dinner at the little restaurant at the top of the dock was wonderful, great food, great company, and the boys did well on board, watching a Star Wars movie. The evening ending with the usual…Gamma Linda reading in our bed with Jacob and Sean.

It’s now Thursday, the 14th and soon we’ll say goodbye to Mirage and Finally as we head to Sydney to pick up Ryan and Holly. It’s sunny, calm and going to be a hot one today!

August 6 - 9, Parks Bay, Shaw & Hunter Bay, Lopez

Austin arrived at just before 5:30pm and we headed out to Parks Bay, Shaw Island to join Mirage and Crescendo. The evening was lovely with a beautiful sunset, and Austin enjoying going from boat to boat in the raft.

Thursday, the 7th found the weather cooler, breezy but still sunny. Austin, Nat and I took the across the channel to Friday Harbor for gas in the dinghy and some groceries. Then Austin joined Steve on Crescendo for a gentle sail to Hunter Bay, Lopez Island. Our original destination had been Spencer Spit State Park, but it’s pretty exposed and the wind was picking up. When Crescendo arrived in Hunter Bay three hours later we were rafted with Mirage and waiting. Hunter Bay was a new anchorage for us, shallow, protected and quite nice. Soon thereafter Low Seas and Patriot joined us as well. We and Jeff and Angie set our crab pots a couple of times and easily got lots of crab. We’ll come back here!

All but Lohse’s decided to stay another night and on Friday enjoyed a lazy day. The weather had turned cool and cloudy. We all played Mexican Train then went for a sail on Crescendo. The guys struggled to fly Steve’s new gennaker sail (a cross between a genoa and a spinnaker) and, as you see from the pictures, finally succeeded. With 12.5 knot winds in Rosario Straits it was a perfect sail, cruising along at 8.5 knots. The guys were very excited. That evening we enjoyed a shared crab dinner on Mirage, then together watched a movie on Reflections.

We were up early this morning to break the raft and head our separate ways. The winds were going to get worse, so we wanted to cross the Straits of Juan de Fuca as soon as possible. The last picture shows us safely arriving in Port Townsend where we’re currently fueling. We’ll add about 600 gallons, but the good news is this is the first time we’ve had to refuel since leaving the States 5 weeks ago! We came in on fumes, but we made it.

There’s no room in the marinas, so our plan is to anchor in front of the town.

August 3-6, Reid Harbor, Stuart Island

Reid Harbor was indeed a quiet interlude. The weather is beautiful and the harbor, though full of boats, peaceful. We stayed until this morning, the 6th, kayaking to nearby Cemetery and Gossip Islands, walking the trails, reading and sharing dinners and wine with good friends. We watched seals play and fish in the harbor and a mother eagle train her crying babe to fly.

Our first night found us rafted with SeaJay, Mirage and Steve Driscoll on Crescendo. There were several other RHYC boats in the harbor, so a bunch of us got together on Mirage to play Left-Right-Center, a silly but fun dice game for a big group. On the 4th Doug decided to go see a doctor in Friday Harbor about his back, still smarting from the fall in the water at Sucia. He and Gail returned the next day with prescriptions and luckily no more than pulled muscles and a deep bruise. Uncomfortable but slowly getting better. Last evening we went for an afternoon sail aboard Crescendo. The winds were light, but just a beautiful experience.

This morning we visited with old neighborhood friends aboard Sea Rose. They together with Shilshole Marina live-aboard neighbors on sailing vessels Pearl and Ghost were all tied to a raft in the harbor, and so we had a nice visit with all. Making the run over to Roche Harbor we received the message that Austin wouldn’t be coming in until 5:30pm, so now we’re hanging out at Henry Island. We’ve dropped crab traps, went to lunch over at Roche and then visited with Lohse’s and Kroeller’s who are still moored at Roche. When Austin arrives we’ll go raft once again with Mirage and Crescendo in another nearby bay.

July 31 to August 3, Sucia to Roche Harbor

Woops…it seems we’re not up to date on the citrus rules. We thought cut up fruit was okay; but Customs boarded the boat, asked us to open our refrigerator, confiscated our lemons, limes and oranges and questioned us for a bit. Nothing else taken, but it is difficult staying up with the rules.

We headed over to Sucia Island where the gang was rafted. Six boats ended up together, the stern tie transferring to Reflections. It was great fun to see everyone and catch up over shared hors d’oeuvres and cocktails. A few of us went to the beach to roast hot dogs, but the cool and now drizzly weather discouraged others. Back at the boats we continued to visit and yes, share wine. That might have had something to do with what happened next: Doug, heading back to Mirage, grabbed our swim ladder which happened to not be firmly attached to the handrail and both ladder and Doug fell in slow motion into the frigid water. No major damage at the time, but he’s had a very sore back ever since.

No sooner had things settled down from that near disaster when the wind and rain picked up, the boats began rocking noisily against each other, and the stern lines pulled loose. Actually, the log to which they were tied pulled into the water at high tide. So Nat and Jim Matheson spent the next hour in the dark and stormy night retrieving the mass of line and setting a stern anchor to keep the raft secure. It could have been a real disaster. We finally went to bed around midnight…not a very restful night. The next morning the weather had improved, but it took well over an hour to untangle the rat’s nest of lines and seaweed…check out the picture.We knew we’d missed these guys…such entertainment is provided when we get together!

We discovered one final problem before heading to Roche Harbor: while trying to keep some of the seaweed from the tangled lines off our stern deck last night, Nat turned on the hose, leaving it on all night and completely emptying our water tanks. So we had no water until we could refill at Roche and then bleed the lines. Oh well…such is boating.

The Colors cruise began Friday the 1st and was a great time. We shared fun stories, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres all weekend, played some bridge on Mirage, had a pet parade on the dock and a dinghy parade around the harbor. I went to the spa for a massage and manicure, and last night we all enjoyed a Cajun gumbo dinner. The highlight of Colors cruise is always watching our Bridge officers join in the ceremony. It’s a moment of both pride and laughter as the tradition has them jumping into the water (nasty, dirty by the fuel dock as well as cold) following the ceremony. The pictures show them holding the flags just before jumping and then Jeff Kroeller, Steve Driscoll and Bob Maruska after getting out of the water. So many of us were on the old fuel dock to watch we heard a loud crack as the dock itself began to break. We got off before it did so, though. It was a great cruise with 54 club boats in attendance and 139 people.

The night ended Saturday with a gathering on Reflections flybridge (the weather, by the way, improving greatly). With the new moon the stars were brilliant, and we danced under them joined by Larry & Wendy Meyers and Jeff & Laurie Stewart.

This morning we said our goodbyes over beignettes served on the dock and now are preparing to shove off to spend a couple of nights at anchor in Reid Harbor, Stuart Island. Mirage and SeaJay will be joining us as well and we’re looking forward to a quiet, somewhat more sober night. But it has been fun!