More of La Conner - 6/29/12

Nell Thorn

At the recommendation of Roger Clark, we go to Nell Thorn Restaurant for lunch, and are pleased at the ambiance and courtesy of the staff.   We are led upstairs to a cozy room overlooking the picturesque town below.


Herb's Rolled Omelet with Truffle is a delight, and I really enjoyed my Nell Burger - a very different burger of Skagit River Ranch organic patty and spread with creamy Gorgonzola.  Yum!

In the afternoon back at the boat we are visited by two volunteers with  Skagit County Beach Watchers, who help to educate recreational crabbers on reducing the unintentional mortality of crabs lost in abandoned crab pots.

They give us calipers to measure the size of crabs and showed us the diagrams on determining male or female.  Also included in our packet are two lengths of cord which will degrade over a short time and allow abandoned crabs to escape.

We think seriously about buying some crab pots and trying our luck.......

Knot for Sale

Find Willie's Tug

We enjoy learning about the area and its stories.  We are told that the picnic huts in the park across the Swinomish Channel from us are designed to resemble hats that some Indian tribal women wove and wore.

We would love to hear more.

The Hats

Willie of Willie's Tug,

   and of Walldog, Willie and Jake

   Friday, June 29, 2012

LaConner WA - 6/28/12

Today Herb and I try to decide where to go, and realize there are many, many, places that we would enjoy and they all involve water.  Having never been to LaConner by boat to visit, we select that destination.


LaConner is a cute little town with lots to see, much like Anacortes, but not as close to the San Juans.  It is on the Swinomish Channel which takes you south into Skagit Bay and toward Puget Sound, and does get shallow at low tide.


Along the way we see an eagle perched atop a piling, and recall having seen one in this area before.  Is it the same one?  Or are there nests scattered about?

It is a short trip to LaConner and the marina has space for us along the breakwater dock, giving us a vantage point from which to see and be seen.  Shortly after tying up Willie's Tug, we are visited by Roger Clark, whom we met with C-Dory friends Tanya and Dan last Summer.  We invite him to join us now at Happy Hour.  

He tells us that his wife, Janet, is stitching something and will be along later. I can't wait to hear about this project of hers.

Janet and Roger

Janet is wearing a sweater that looks suspiciously like she designed and sewed it, and it is so pretty and clever.   I am also reminded of two special friends who sew!!! and hope they see this.

Creativity

Janet tells me that she took a sweatshirt and cut down the middle, binding the edges with a fabric that she also used for appliqueing.  I am impressed!

(Oh, and there is a quilt shop in LaConner!)

We see a green Ranger Tug go by, and watch it closely to see who it is.  We see the name Restless, but are not sure we know her owners.

Not to worry, Claire and Richard Dainard, who live near here, soon come to visit.   We feel really wonderful about the small world we live in!

Find Willie's Tug!

LaConner Marina

Willie of Willie's Tug,

   and of Walldog, Willie and Jake

   Thursday, June 28, 2012

Today's the Day! - 6-27-12

I have heard that some people clean house before the cleaning lady comes.....


Capt. Mac is in The Broughtons, but he will be back.  I think I should try to become more familiar with my boat in the meantime, before my 'Day on the Water with Capt. Mac.'


Herb gets Willie's Tug out of the tight slip, out of the harbor and out into the beautifully calm water east of Guemes Island.  Then I take the helm.  No autopilot today. He directs me to go between Guemes and Huckleberry Island, which is a small island -- and oh, it looks like there is not much room between them.  How can I ever get through?

Willie at the Wheel

The exercise today is for me to 'follow the coastline' and watch the depths.  My track on the Garmin is a bit wiggly and not what I am used to seeing, but I do very well, he says.


I continue north and go inside Jack Island and enjoy watching the different colored water and/or land on the chart.  Still doing well.   Everyone must know that I am on the water today, as there is very little traffic, which adds to my stress-free day.


As we round Clark Point on the northern end of Guemes, we have strong current on the nose and Herb suggests that I turn around and go back the same way, around the east side of Guemes.


As I start back, I see a tugboat on the port side going faster than I, so no problem, except that I expect a big wake from her.  When I see it coming, I tell Herb that maybe he should take the helm now temporarily.  He says, "You can handle it."  So I did.  Good job, Willie!

About this time we get a call from Vicki at Sunnyhill Kennels and Cattery telling us that Dr. Jake has had his grooming and is ready to be picked up.  


Saved by the bell?


The rest of the cruise is uneventful, and I am enjoying every bit of it, watching the markers and my position.  I yield the wheel to Herb as we approach Cap Sante marina, and look forward to my next exercise.

Thank you, Miss Vicki for making me pretty again.

Willie of Willie's Tug,
   and of Walldog, Willie and Jake
   Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Find Willie's Tug - Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Herb shoots this sunset on the evening walk with Jake up the trail to Cap Sante Lookout.


I can't find Willie's Tug, as she is hidden behind the brush on the right side of the photo.

Cap Sante Marina

Willie of Willie's Tug,
   and of Walldog, Willie and Jake
   Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Plans.......... - Monday, June 25, 2012

Today we spend all day doing our chores and cleaning the boat.  I think we will never get through!


The highlight of the day is seeing Capt. Mac and Linda with their dogs walking along the dock.  They visit briefly, as they are just overnight in Cap Sante on their way to the Broughton Islands in Canada aboard Island Ranger.


We wish them a safe and fun vacation, and make plans for 'A Day on the Water with Capt. Mac' for me when they return.


And the learning will begin...........

Capt. Mac

Willie of Willie's Tug,
   and of Walldog, Willie and Jake
   Monday, June 25, 2012

Friday Harbor and Home to Anacortes - 6/24/12

We wake at 5 AM to see Destiny and Moondance leave the dock, as they will have a long day back to Seattle, and winds are predicted to pick up in the afternoon in the Strait of Juan de Fuca.


We grab the camera and photograph them as long as they are in sight, and are sad that our week cruising together has come to a close.

Vicki on Moondance

Destiny

It is Sunday morning and Jake enjoys the long walk uphill to St. David's Episcopal Church.  Herb tethers him to posts on the children's playground, and he is resting in the shade when we return for him.

After lunch with Jim Bathurst, we cast off for Anacortes.

We soon enter an area where we need to watch in all directions for ferries.

THREE ferries to watch for

We were gone ten days, visited six ports, and Jake fell out of the dinghy trying to get on a dock only one time!

Willie of Willie's Tug,

   and of Walldog, Willie and Jake

   Sunday, June 24, 2012

Friday Harbor - 6/23/2012

We all leave Victoria bound for Friday Harbor at 6:30 AM, because of the marine forecast of strong winds predicted for Haro Strait in the afternoon.  


We take a last look at Victoria, and vow to return another day.

Medium Large Wake

After traveling a short time, the skies clear, the sun comes out, and we see a rainbow.  Oh, how beautiful.  It is actually a double rainbow!

Now in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, outside Trial Island and Discovery Island, we have current on our nose and a slight chop.  On into Haro Strait we have one to two foot seas, and a low cloud bank.  Nice swells.

Destiny and Moondance

Destiny

Haro Strait has heavy shipping traffic along the border between Canada and the United States, and we see many large ships.

Destiny

We enter US waters around 9 AM and enjoy the coastline of home.  

We see Roche Harbor near the northern end of San Juan Island, and are amused at the U-Haul truck on the ferry.

We arrive at Friday Harbor on San Juan Island, clear customs and settle in.  At Happy Hour Herb displays his Stark Industries shirt from the movie, Iron Man.

Jim Bathurst comes to visit, but not for long, as he is called in to run a charter over to another port.  His wife, Joan, who is working in the office of the whale watching company today, tells him this news.  

Capt. Jim

Dinner is served and sleepy-time comes soon, in anticipation of an early morning departure by Destiny and Moondance.

Perfect location behind the Customs dock

Willie of Willie's Tug,

   and of Walldog, Willie and Jake

   Friday, June 22, 2012