No Particular Plan - 8/26 and 8/27/2012

I wait all Summer for the blackberries to ripen, and remember picking some each morning during season when we had the motor home here at Fidalgo Bay RV Resort a couple of years ago.

Yea!  Today on our walk with Jake I see some ripe ones at Friday Harbor and pick a handful for breakfast.

Almost back to our slip, Jake has an encounter with a small dog who is not happy that he walks by her bed on the dock.  



The Mommie comes out to speak to her beautiful pet, Pepper Lynn, and the two animals decide to be friends.

Jake gets more petting before we arrive back to the boat.

We have a leisurely morning, but around 11A we cast off, having no need to hurry, but eventually to  return to Anacortes.




I am always delighted to see the Victoria Clipper, as this colorful tour boat speeds by.

We cruise through confused waters and rippled seas, but have a fairly smooth ride.  We take big current on the nose in Upright Channel.


With no particular plan in mind, Herb checks the currents and sets a course between Lopez and Blakely Islands, then down into Lopez Sound.



We steer clear of a large curved log floating on the port side, and call on 16 to warn a sailing vessel we meet of the danger ahead.  He thanks us.

Arriving around lunch time at Center Island, we tie to Jeff and Christie's dock to have a bit of lunch.  Herb reads for a time and I take a nap.

Find Willie's Tug.........


From Center Island we pass Rim Island, Rum Island and Ram Island to go through Lopez Pass, which looks very narrow to me!

Turning now north, we have Decatur Island on our port and enjoy the scenery along the coast.

A clear view of Mt. Baker, still holding her snow...

Mt. Baker

The madrona tree on James Island is a joy to my eyes.

Madrona Tree

We cruise up to the dock on James very slowly and reminisce about the visit there last year, when raccoons unsnapped our canvas cockpit enclosure to search for food.  They found none!

James Island Dock

Knowing that we have only one more month to spend in the wonderful Pacific Northwest this Summer, we are reluctant to head back to our home marina today.

We will miss all this.

Willie of Willie's Tug,
   and of Walldog, Willie and Jake
   Sunday and Monday, Aug. 26 and 27, 2012

Friday Harbor - 8/25/2012

If it is Saturday, Sunday can't be far behind, so we plan to go to Friday Harbor today for the weekend.  We have an early start, being required to vacate the temporary moorage space at the Jones Island dock by 8A. 

As we leave, we see campers laying wood on the previous night's coals to start the fire for their coffee pot.

I grab a quick breakfast, and after underway, I take the helm while Herb cooks his.

The ferry Klahowya appears, coming from Friday Harbor, and I wonder if she will turn my way to go to Sydney BC or continue to points east.

I do a heading hold to stay well to her port, should she turn toward us, but she goes east.

Cruising slowly at 6 knots, we hope to arrive at Friday Harbor about the time boats are leaving around 9:30, in order to take advantage of the first come first served policy of arrivals.  Reservations have been closed for several days in this peak season.

Friday Harbor

We are just a bit too early, but are allowed to tie up to the back side of the Customs dock while waiting for a slip assignment.

Across the dock is an impressive 90 ft. yawl, the Odyssey, whose crew member catches our lines for tying up.  He is Capt. Bryan Rassilyer and tells me they are here with Sea Scouts for a sailing program.






He explains that they train a team of young people, who in turn teach the Scouts sailing skills.  It is not just about sailing the vessel, but instills character building and leadership.  I am pleased to share with him that last year our Ranger Tug Rendezvous had a silent auction, and made a contribution to Sea Scouts.

After we get to our assigned slip, we see Whisper coming in.  We run around to their dock to greet our friends from Dallas and assist with the lines.

Whisper

Jane and Duane

Our first stop around the marina is to visit with Joan (aka the Blonde of Captain Jim and the Blonde), who is booking whale watchers on Kenmore Air and the Kittiwake.

We find the Saturday Farmers' Market, but poor Jake has to stay outside the perimeter.

The town of Friday Harbor and the marina are buzzing with activity, and we enjoy watching the vessels come and go.

Of special interest to me are the young ladies on a tour boat tying to the dock. Big lines!  

As the Captain eases the boat to the dock, the lady watches eagerly for the cleat she will lasso.  

Then with one throw, she successfully loops around it.

Applause and cheers are heard!

A final step is to pull tight, pull hard to secure the line on the bow.  I bet she gets lots of tips from the guests!

Now the moment Herb and I with camera have been waiting for.

Captain Jim is greeting his passengers stepping aboard Kittiwake and preparing for the cruise to find whales.

Greeting Guests

Capt. Jim

I hope they find the Orcas.

Looking down into the clear water below the viewing deck, I am amazed at the vegetation growing on the pilings.

They saw whales!!!  It was a good day, and it is a nice finish to the day to have Capt. Jim and Joan visit for Happy Hour.

The Blonde and Captain Jim

Willie of Willie's Tug,

   and of Walldog, Willie and Jake

   Saturday, August 25, 2012

Jones Island........finally! - 8/23 and 8/24/2012

True to Capt. Jim's tip about my photo of the mare's tail clouds predicting a bit of wind coming, Thursday was a blustery day, and Willie's Tug stayed in her slip at Cap Sante Boat Haven.  

However, today the winds are 6-8 knots, skies are blue and sunny, and Herb's birthday present will be an overnight at Jones Island Marine State Park -- hopefully!  Two years in a row every time we try to get in the Park there, it is too crowded.

Shortly after getting underway we see Hyak ferry and we pass port to port.  Moving on into Rosario Strait it is a little bouncy but a nice ride.  

Hunter D goes south in the shipping lanes of the Strait towing her barge.

We see Elwah ferry coming up behind us, so we slow to allow her to pass, then we tuck in behind in Thatcher Pass.  





A speeding vessel crosses our bow between us and the ferry and gives us a tremendous wake.  

And then there is Leo Reef.

We see (and stay out of the way of) seven ferries today. What thrills!

When we arrive at Jones Island, it appears full at the dock, and all mooring buoys are taken.  Several boats are anchored.

Approaching closer in, we see the loading area which is available for a thirty minute tie-up, and permanently overnight from 3P until 8A.

How lucky can we be?  Perfect timing.  We dock and register just in time to greet the Park Rangers who check to see if everyone has a park pass.  We all do!

In 1990 a devastating 100-mph storm blew over or damaged many trees, most of which were left down to return nutrients to the forest.  (Dreamspeaker and Waggoner).

The park was closed for years, and Tym tells us monies were found to rebuild handicap accessible. Even at low tide, the ramp will never be too steep for wheelchairs.

It is early in the afternoon and plenty time to walk the trails and explore.

Our path takes us across to the other side of the island, South Cove, where we see more boats and Yellow Island in the background.

South Cove

Find Willie's Tug...........

On our walk we meet a lovely couple, and after chatting a few minutes, we notice they do not have an accent.  Yes, they are from Dallas.  We learn this is Jane and Duane's 19th Summer to visit the PNW, and keep their sailboat, Whisper, in Sidney BC.  It is great to visit with them.

Whisper

At Happy Hour we have a visit from a man who lives on Orcas and is island hopping today.  He built his catamaran from two canoes.  He calls it Canoe-maran, and his wife calls it No-Tippy-Canoe.

Cata-something...

When Herb checks his email, he has a surprise Happy Birthday greeting from special friends, who are toasting his celebration at the Sea Ranch on South Padre Island.  Sharing a bit of home with us today.  

Here's to you, Herb, from Bob and Nancy!

Willie of Willie's Tug,

   and of Walldog, Willie and Jake

  Thursday and  Friday, August 23 and 24, 2012