A Full Day and a Good Day -- Monday, 7/1/2013 -- Day 52

From Cap Sante we enter Guemes Channel with Moondance, and get quite a few rollers and deep troughs from the many large boats coming and going -- but no 9 ft!  

Moondance

Minutes later we hear on the radio a call from Hayden Bay, who says she has us in her binoculars. We do locate Marcus and Jorge, then hear Last Call hailing us.  When my light bulb finally lights, I realize it is a flotilla with Destiny in the lead, and the other two following.  By this time they are too far to get a good photo, but I try, and hope my zoom works magic. It is so exciting to happen across them.

Destiny

Hayden Bay

Last Call

We continue our trip and the first stop is a visit to Center Island, where Jeff Messmer catches our lines to tie up to his dock.

Find Willie's Tug....

Find a new R-31....

Find Moondance....

 Jeff shows us around their cabin, then invites us into the golf cart for a tour of the island.  So Herb is up front;  on the seat facing back is Bruce in the middle, with Vicki and me on either side -- holding on!

Center Island is composed of privately owned lots, most of which have water frontage.   Jeff takes us through the interior, up steep paved roads to the top of the hill and back down the other side.  At one point we laugh at the thought that we would have stood in line for hours at Disney World to get this type roller coaster fun. 

Center Island Air Strip

Sign reads, "Private Airport"

In addition to the thrilling ride, Jeff gives us a tour of the Community Center, which is abuzz with activity preparing for the Fourth of July picnic and parade.

Christie shares that one of their golf carts is always decorated with a theme, and this year they choose Duck Dynasty, a reality TV show set in West Monroe LA.  Herb and I know the city well, having a son and family who live there. 

I can't wait to see the Messmer children -- Jack, Maisy and Gracie -- dressed like this.

 

Arriving in the afternoon at Lopez Islander Resort on Fisherman Bay, Lopez Island, we find our slips and hurry to check out the hot tub and pool.  Fulla kids!  That's great.  We love to see the children having fun!  We'll come back later.

Martini Time

Dinner is Vicki's Wild Salmon Chowder with Fire Roasted Tomatoes, paired with Aquinas wine, a Pinot Noir from Napa Valley.  Ahhhh....

The label explains the wine is named for St. Thomas Aquinas (a-kwine-es), a revolutionary scholar in the 13th century who used the laws of science to support his belief in the existence of the Almighty.

We take a late evening walk for a bit of exercise and find a hill that seems to go on forever.  The good news is going back is 'downhill all the way.'

Seagulls on the Posts

Hill

Willie of Willie's Tug,
   and of Walldog, Willie and Jake
   Monday, July 1, 2013