Day 21 - Anacortes WA - Memorial Day, 2011

We remember our Veterans on today, Memorial Day.   The photo at left shows Al Senteno as he plays Taps at the ceremony at Point Isabel Cemetery, Port Isabel TX.


  (Photo by Valerie D. Bates)






As we prepare to leave Center Island for the trip back to Anacortes, we are excited to see a seaplane land near where we are docked.

Again, today we stay out of the way of the ferries, and spend quite a bit of time watching all directions for them, as well as other crafts.  




Many boats seem to be in a big hurry -- I guess it must be getting close to supper time..........

Home again, home again.


Willie of Willie's Tug,
   and Walldog, Willie and Jake

Day 20 - Center Island WA - Sunday, May 30, 2011

Oh, I forgot to mention that Saturday we saw 'the eagle lady,' as we fondly called her before we learned her name, Christie, last year.  When we walked Thompson Trail every day with Jake, we would see her walking her dog, and she told us about the nest of eagles in the trees high above the Trail.  So it was quite a thrill to recognize her in the grocery store parking lot and visit for a few minutes.


In the afternoon we ready Willie's Tug for the cruise to Center Island, and listen to the marine forecast.  Winds are expected to pick up during the night, but we will be docked and possibly only experience some rocking.

Along the way we approach the ferry path and see a ferry ahead of us.  We slow and give her plenty of room.  Now as we cross the path, we are continually on the lookout for more ferries from either direction -- Anacortes to Lopez Island, Friday Harbor or more.


The holiday weekend brings much boat traffic to the water, and we get a few exciting wakes, but no problems.  

Upon arriving at Center Island, we are greeted by Jeff Messmer, who helps us tie up to this dock.


Knowing the waves we may get during the night, he suggests we add one more fender on the dockside.

We join him with his wife, Christie, and his mother, Mary, on the deck for Happy Hour and learn a bit more about the island.


Mary points to the sky and we see a small plane coming over us, just clearing the treetops to land on the island's landing strip.  Makes it safely! 

The Messmers come by seaplane!

At the end of the day we are pleased to see a sunset reflecting in the water, and follow it as the sun gets lower and lower.  We sleep well on the newly installed memory foam and to the gentle rocking of the waves.  

Willie of Willie's Tug,

    and Walldog, Willie and Jake

Day 19 - Anacortes WA - Saturday, May 28, 2011

More projects toward the comforts of Willie's Tug.......


Although the cushions in the V-berth are quite comfortable, we become aware that a 'memory form' topper would be welcome, and heed the advice of friends who recommend getting one.  Oh, goodness!  Where in the world will we lay this thing out to trim to the shape and size we require?  


Ah!  Bob and Nita Ostlund now live in Anacortes, and invite us to bring the foam to their house.  Bob and Herb take it out of the box,  lay it on the basement floor, and watch as it unfolds itself.  And watch, and watch, and watch.  


This foam is not in a hurry, so we have plenty of time to visit and get a tour of Bob and Nita's new house.  A very pleasant soft yellow, nestled in a hillside on the western side of Anacortes, not far from Skyline Marina.   Nita has been busy with her landscaping and planting the container garden.  Who says you can't grow tomatoes in Anacortes?

The decision is made to let the foam topper have a sleep-over with the Ostlunds, and let her grow to full size.


Willie of Willie's Tug,
   and Walldog, Willie and Jake

Day 18 - Burlington WA - Friday, May 27, 2011

It is a shopping day as we continue to identify things that will make Willie' Tug more like home.  We leave Anacortes in the sunshine and as we get near Mt. Vernon, we see a really dark cloud, sprinkles of rain on the windshield of the truck, and then a strange noise that brings tiny pellets of hail.

The good news is that it doesn't last long, and we don't see evidence of hail damage.  


Now we see sunshine again, and as we return to Anacortes, we notice that it has not rained there -- on Willie's Tug!  We have a nice sunset, and enjoy the reflection on the clouds to the East.

Willie of Willie's Tug,

   and Walldog, Willie and Jake

Day 17 - Anacortes WA - Thursday, May 26, 2011

Rain is predicted today, but about mid-morning we see the sun peeking through the clouds and it turns out to be a nice day for a boat ride.  

As we exit the marina, the first thing we see is a tug pulling a barge; in the photo, the lines are barely visible.   We give way until they are past.

A bit farther out, a crew boat overtakes us in a big hurry and creates quite a wake.  We had seen him coming and were prepared to minimize the wave action on us. 


It is fun again to read the charts and identify where we are as we cruise around Guemes Island.


Willie's Tug got a good exercise today.

Willie of Wilie's Tug,

   and Walldog, Willie and Jake

Day 16 - Burlington WA - Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Some local people here fondly call it the Great North Wet, but we wouldn't know, as we just got here and brought some Texas sunshine with us.  Many people have thanked us!


However, today is still in the season of April, er, uh, May showers, and we decide the best use of our time is to go shopping in Burlington for some household supplies.  Burlington has Costco and Walmart, as well as quite a few other shops where I could get in trouble.  I never thought I could get so excited over a trash can and trash bags.


We also got food and are amazed and pleased to see that all the cold items actually fit in the refrigerator.  


In Anacortes Cap Sante Marina is near Safeway, and our favorite store is The Market, just a few blocks to the south.  So we can replenish locally.


Our spirits are not dampened by the rain, our shoes are, and Herb reminds me that the rain just makes the flowers grow.

Willie of Willie's Tug,

   and Walldog, Willie and Jake

Day 15 - Anacortes WA - Tuesday, May 24, 2011

It is a workday!  This boat has lots of storage areas, and lots of areas that could be storage areas.  We see some possibilities, and Herb does some exploring.


As we make room, more items come from the truck to make it home.  A cup towel with a crab motif that Nita made last year, and the yellow wine glasses that match Willie's Tug.  

Well, maybe the wine glass is a little brighter...........

Willie of Willie's Tug,

   and Walldog, Willie and Jake

Day 14 - Anacortes WA - Monday, May 23, 2011

On anything new, some things have to be tweaked -- like turning the refrigerator to a warmer temperature, so the eggs do not freeze.  Frozen eggs take a bit longer to cook, but sure are pretty.  

Early this morning we welcome David McKibben, USCG Licensed Captain, and Vessel Safety Examiner for the USCG Auxiliary.  He gives us a vessel check and makes sure we know how to be safe on the boat -- both on the water and off.  He gives some examples of just how quickly a person would become incapacitated in these 50 degree waters and not be able to help himself or call for help after a short time.  

It is a good review, and we appreciate David's knowledge and thoroughness with the inspection.  






He is shown below writing up his report, of which we get a copy.  Yea!  We passed!

After the official business:


Just so happens, David is partners with friends Pat and Patty Anderson in Snoqualmie Brewery and Taproom near here, and we take some time to visit and catch up on the news.  


Last year David took us on his 25 ft. C-Dory around the San Juan Islands and showed us great places to cruise and stay the night.  


It is great to see him again, and we plan to visit the Taproom for lunch very soon.  

http://www.fallsbrew.com/about.html 
http://www.fallsbrew.com/Summer%20Beer.jpg


Willie of Willie's Tug,
    and Walldog, Willie and Jake

Day 13 - Anacortes WA - Sunday, May 22, 2011

Anacortes is having a Waterfront Festival adjacent to Cap Sante Marina this weekend, and we find for lunch our first bowl of clam chowder for the Summer.  Very good!  As we stroll through the booths examining the vendors' wares, we just happen upon a hand-dipped ice cream stand.  Oh, too tempting!  The coconut cream is delicious.


In addition to free boat rides for visitors of all ages, there is a special event for the children.  

We watch as they build their model boats and then float them in the special pond. 


Some people are from a long ways away.

There are several boats in various stages of completion.

Parents are taking pictures, and we are not sure who is having more fun -- them or the children.

Willie of Willie's Tug,

    and Walldog, Willie and Jake

Day 12 - Anacortes WA, Fidalgo Bay - Saturday, May 21, 2011

Today is a very worthwhile day as we have Capt. Mac  LaMay, Private Boating Instructor, provided by Ranger Tugs, come aboard to give us some helpful information regarding all things boating!

He shows us some reference books that would be good to have and gives great tips and pointers, and we should call this, "Boating Made Easy."  


While it is a serious orientation, Capt. Mac makes it fun.  I particularly enjoy his boat model made of memory foam, with it's starboard Nav light painted green and port Nav light painted red.  The rudder is also memory foam and detachable, and with it, he demonstrates what happens to the boat with a hard turn to starboard.  Or to port.  This is better than a video.

 We also learn a bit about the local waters and any hazards for which we might watch.

At the end of the day, we enjoy a quiz on who is the stand on and who is the give way.  Capt. Mac uses his boat models to demonstrate the situation at hand.  He actually has three memory foam boats.

Capt. Mac, you can ride with us any time!  Your games are fun and we learn a lot.

"Boating Made Fun"  (More Fun)

Day 11 - Anacortes WA - Friday, May 20, 2011

Kenny arrives from the factory to assist Herb in getting Willie's Tug ready for trailering to Anacortes today.  They must lower the mast and radio antennae, among other things.


As they are preparing for the next step, Herb has to 'duck' to avoid getting knocked down by a duck in flight!  Aha!  Now, I know where that expression came from!  Possibly, that had been the mallard's flyway before we came and docked in his path.  His vision may be failing.  We're just glad neither he or Herb were injured.


When all is ready, Herb guides the tug into the sling for lifting out of the water.  

The hoist is like a giant spider moving the boat along toward the trailer, and I am amazed at the operator as he expertly makes his back and forward turns.

All loaded up now and we are on our way.  It is an uneventful trip, but as we get close to Anacortes, excitement builds as we begin to see familiar highway signs and landmarks.

We are home.

We learn that Cap Sante Marine is the lift that has capabilities of putting us into the water.  It is a little different operation, as their slings knit together after being inserted under the boat from either side.  Interesting.

Hmmm, there are two boats tied at the water's edge, and Herb's job is to expertly maneuver between them.  He did.

Just as we are settling into our slip at Cap Sante, our delightful friends whom we met last year (and who have now moved from the Seattle area to Anacortes) came to visit. 

We had a very wonderful reunion and a equally tasty meal at The Brown Lantern restaurant.  Being Friday night and the Waterfront Festival in full bloom in downtown Anacortes, we had to wait for a table.  When the four of us  were seated at a table for six, we invited the next couple in line to join us to minimize their wait.  

We learn that they are both lieutenants in the Navy, and we expressed our thanks for their service to our Country, and told them that our church prays regularly for the military.

Willie of Willie's Tug,

     and Walldog, Willie and Jake

Day 10 - Des Moines WA - Thursday, May 19, 2011

We get our appointment to be taken out of the water tomorrow to head for Anacortes, which will be our home base this Summer.


The first chore for the day is to put Willie's Tug identification and the Texas registration numbers on the boat. 

 Then with the winds at only 4 mph, it is a no-brainer not to take the boat out.

Jake seems to be an old salt, very comfortable with his place on the water.  Here he is seen photographed from above (the passenger's seat), and showing what he does best.  

We get the paper chart out and locate where we are, and where we want to go.  It is a learning curve for me to read the charts, but the trip back is easier reading for me.  We even locate a lighthouse -- on the chart and on the land.  

We cruise a ways toward Tacoma, then make our way back to the slip.  Safely!  And that is a good thing.


Historically, it is Jake who is the icebreaker and attracts people over to us to pet him; but now it seems it is the yellow R-27 that is the draw.  We have a steady stream of boaters and would-be boaters stop in to chat and inquire about the tug.  Some even pet the dog...............   Allison tries out the pilot seat to see if this is the boat for her.  Sid is one of our marina neighbors and lives aboard his sailboat.

Willie of Willie's Tug,

     and Walldog, Willie and Jake

Day 9 - Des Moines WA - Wednesday, May 18, 2011

After a good night's sleep, we awake to the aroma of Community Coffee Dark Roast just finishing its brewing.  Life is good.


About 7:30 AM Kenny from the factory arrives to do some demos and answer questions, and soon Andrew follows to test all the boat systems.

Good Job!

The fun part is when Herb takes the helm and we go out into Puget Sound to see how Willie's Tug handles.

Good Job!

We are not disappointed -- the boat cruised, and Herb piloted!

We finish our day about Happy Hour time and enjoy conversation and drinks in the cockpit.

Good Job!

Willie of Willie's Tug,

.....and Walldog, Willie and Jake