Can You Get There From Here? -- Friday, 6/7/2013 -- Day 28

Weather is predicted for the next day or so and we watch the Strait of Juan de Fuca to see if we can go 'outside' or inside through the Swinomish Channel by LaConner, which needs the undivided attention in the shallow portion so as not to go aground.  We prefer not to go that way.

Conditions point us to getting to Oak Harbor tonight, and that would commit us to Swinomish.

Seas are lumpy, wind off the starboard is five to ten and variable, and we cruise at 8 knots.  Herb calls Traffic to report that he intends to cross to Possession point en route through Possession Sound south of Everett.  Traffic acknowledges and asks us to give a courtesy call when we are clear at Possession Point. 

It is now choppy with 2-3 foot seas.  Next we call to report going through Saratoga Passage to Oak Harbor.  Again, we are asked to report when clear.

With Kittitas starting to move our way, we increase our speed to 16 knots to get across her route.

As we get near Oak Harbor we heed a posted warning and search diligently for the red and green markers to be sure we are in the channel.  We have a particularly hard time finding the Red 2 at the entrance.  There are no photos of this today, as  my hands are busy with binoculars to refine my search.

Well, who knew!  the markers are lights on top of raised poles at the entrance.     Up to now we find red and green cans near the surface of the water.  We guide through with ease and dock at our slip.

Before we settle in for the evening, we have a great walk into town, and pass the entrance to the Naval Air Station at Whidbey Island.  Below is a memorial to those who lost their lives in service.

Jake is not fooled by the duck sculpture.

Jake would drive the Flintstone car, if his paws could reach the peddles.

Dinner is smoked salmon over a bed of tossed spinach arugula salad and Malbec wine.

The expected weather comes in during the night and Herb wakes at 3A to go outside and retie our lines.

We are safe.

                                                                                                     Red Marker

Willie of Willie's Tug,
     and of Walldog, Willie and Jake
     Friday, June 7, 2013