Friday Harbor -- Tuesday - Wednesday, 8/20-28/2013 -- Days 102 - 110

Looking at the marine weather forecast, we choose today to start toward our ultimate weekend destination of Victoria BC, by stopping a couple of days in Friday Harbor.

With Circle T behind us, we cast off at 10A, 69 degrees and sunny (finally after two days of rain and one of horrible winds -- but we went for frozen yogurt anyway!)  Cruising out through Guemes Channel, we watch carefully to see that the Guemes Ferry is on the move and Herb turns to starboard to take us off a collision course. 

Guemes Ferry

A sailboat going slower goes astern as well.  

Seas are rippled, then flat calm, and skies become only partly sunny, but as we go by the east side of Blakely Island, we enter some light fog, which soon becomes quite dense.

About all I can see is the new burgee from Sinclair Inlet Yacht Club.

Herb acquires two oncoming targets on radar before gradually beginning to see them.  For a few minutes all we can see of the sailboat is her mast.  We are very glad no fast boats go by during these conditions.  

The Washington State Ferry, Elwha, overtakes us and appears as a 'ghost ship' through the now thinning fog.

By the time we get to Friday Harbor, the sun is burning the fog away, and we can clearly see the beautiful Spike Africa.

With our slips being available, we quickly dock and are delighted that Jim and Lisa Favors of Kismet are our next door neighbors on G-Dock.  As I walk about the town of Friday Harbor, I meet Jim Bathurst, who reminds me of the directions to the locals' grocery store, so June and I go shopping.  The sun is shining brightly and it is too warm for a jacket -- even for me -- as we climb the hill in search of last minute provisions.

A member of the American Legion, Tym invites us to the Hall for Happy Hour. We climb the stairs on the hillside for what seems like forever to get there, but it is worth it.   Sitting on the deck outside, we have an amazing view down to the marina.

And another view!

Find Willie's Tug....

Lisa Photographs June, Tym, Jim, Herb and Willie

Tym gives us a tour of the Hall, first letting us try our hand at shuffleboard.  One of us is good, another needs practice -- all have fun!

Good Shot, Lisa!

In the museum we see photos of military servicemen and remember those we know who served or are serving now.  Herb points to a uniform he once wore, Dress Blues.  

Marine Dress Blues

You can't beat Herb's Tavern for a good meal, and our Herb jokes with the waiter that since it is named for him and opened in the year he was born, that should be worth 'something.'  The waiter is quick to laugh and say, "Congratulations!"

No Free Lunch!

Willie of Willie's Tug,
   and of Walldog, Willie and Jake
   Tuesday - Wednesday, August 20-28, 2013

Tahoma, R-27 -- Friday - Monday, 8/16-19,/2013 -- Days 98-101

During a nice, quiet time of day I hear a familiar, wonderful sound.  I know that sound -- who is it?

It is a blue 27 foot Ranger Tug turning into the slip next to Willie's Tug in Cap Sante Marina.  

Then I hear a familiar voice, and it is Kenny from the Ranger Tug factory, delivering Tahoma to Bill Pike, the new owner.

We are excited to welcome another R-27 on K-Dock, but decide we should rename the dock to Tug Dock.  

With Restless (Richard and Claire), Nudibranch (Ray, Jocelyn and Brenna), and Willie's Tug (Herb and Willie) on K-Dock, we think Tug Dock is good to include friends on the Nordic Tug, Wood Duck in a nearby slip. 

After Bill gets to know the boat a bit, he joins a group of friends at Village Pizza for dinner.

Much of the conversation is about boat stuff.

We learn from Bill that his boat name, Tahoma, represents the Native American name for Mt. Rainier and the Orca whale.  

Welcome, Bill!

Willie of Willie's Tug,

   and of Walldog, Willie and Jake

   Friday - Monday, August 16-19, 2013

   

Another Desolation Sound Cruise Comes to a Close -- Thursday, 8/15/2013 -- Day 21 of Desolation Sound Cruise -- Day 97

Under mostly cloudy skies and 60 degrees, we reluctantly leave Chemainous, Vancouver Island BC, at 8:15A.  Helpful neighbors walk our boats out of the slips, and we set a course for Anacortes.

We thread our way between logs on the port and logs on the starboard.  A log boom near shore loses a few strays.  

We go south in Stuart Channel, around the southern tip of Tent Island, then north around Southy Point on Salt Spring Island in Houstoun Passage and into Trincomali Channel.

The Tug

and its Tow

Tent Island

The geese are going south; is there something we need to know about the weather?

4 Second Light Buoy by Wallace Island

The Queen of New Westminster ferry is coming our way, but she can take any of three possible routes.  We watch carefully to be sure we are clear.

The Queen of Cumberland comes next and gives us a fun wake -- that is different from a bad wake, and it seem to go on forever.

I love the markers for hazards, and especially this one warning of the rock in Navy Channel by Mayne Island.

On Channel 16 we hear a Coast Guard warning of fog in the San Juan Islands and wonder if we will have limited visibility up ahead.  It is flat calm near the border at Boundary Pass, and we see the container ship Tsing MA Bridge.

She gives us a big rolling wake and Herb turns to take it smoother.

We sight another vessel, Star Evviva, at our 5 o'clock position in the shipping lanes and turn to cross ahead of her to clear the lanes sooner.  She responds by turning also to give us more room.

Because of light fog, Herb calls Seattle Traffic at Laurence Point on Orcas Island to report our location in Rosario Strait.  Traffic says there is no reported traffic, so we should be fine.  The fog thickens ahead, but remains somewhat thin where we are.

  




Herb and Tym communicate on VHF 73 and I enjoy hearing them report sightings and intentions.  They work well together.

Herb calls Seattle Traffic again to report staying in touch until we clear Guemes Channel and enter Cap Sante marina.

We have a safe trip on into the Marina and to celebrate, we meet friends at The Brown Lantern for Happy Hour and dinner!  

Now that we are all back in the U. S., Desolation Sound should be less busy and more warm....

June, Nita, Anne, Willie and Tym

Willie of Willie's Tug,
   and of Walldog, Willie and Jake
   Thursday, August 15, 2013

The Awesome Chemainous -- Wednesday, 8/14/2013 -- Day 20 of Desolation Sound Cruise -- Day 96

I remember from last year when we fueled here that Chemainous Municipal Dock is small but I am amazed at how the manager, Harmon Bootsma, nestles boats in. 

When we called for reservations, he said he was getting full, but would move some boats around to make room.  Very accommodating!

We were delighted to see Celtic Sun here when we arrived yesterday, and Harmon puts Willie's Tug on a starboard side tie right behind her bow in port tie slip -- swim platform to swim platform!  Did I mention that Gerry and Cindy have been here a couple of days and plan to leave tomorrow?

Picture this: They are in a corner with Circle T to the starboard and Willie's Tug at the stern, so we will move somewhere to allow them to exit their slip in the morning.

In the photo below, Willie's Tug moves forward and Harmon walks Celtic Sun backward to skinny out.  Cindy watches her boat carefully, as does Tym... but Harmon is a master at this!

So off she goes, but not before Cindy tells me of the wonderful places to shop, sights to see, and the Chemainous Theatre Festival, which is presenting "Singing in the Rain" but is all sold out!

Since we did not get to see all of this wonderful town yesterday, we request to stay another night.  Uh, oh!  Harmon has a large group coming in, but says he can fit us in if we move.  Sure!

So Circle T moves first, cruising a few slips away to a new home for the night.  

Then a slip comes open for Willie's Tug.

Find Willie's Tug....

I begin my exploration of the community with a walk through Wheelhouse Park and hear music coming from the stage.  The young man plays several instruments.

We meet Ruth, whom Jake takes a liking to and puts his nose in the hand basket she is carrying.  I comment that he must be looking for a treat, and to my surprise, she reaches in the basket and gets one for him.  Noses don't lie!

She has lived here many, many years and tells us a little of the history of the town, especially the murals.  She says all are of real people of Chemainous and depict something of  interest in their lives, but are painted by different artists from many places.

One in particular is special to her, "The Hermit."   She recalls that he had a problem with substance abuse and came here to live a quiet life.  He is shown here walking the "Hermit Trail" that he built in the forest.

I think I have a photograph of every mural in Chemainous...and many flowers...and scenes....

The Japanese have quite a presence here.

Yellow footsteps painted on the sidewalk direct us to tourist attractions.

We are delighted to find St. Michael and All Angels Anglican Church.

I find the store where Cindy tells me the best ice cream is, (and special shopping), and visit the park that appeals to children and adults alike.  I am one of those.

Just so I don't miss anything, I walk about the Old Town section and find quite a hill to climb.  And some blackberries beginning to ripen.

We walk now to the 49th Parallel Grocery for a few items to sustain us for another day.  And to be sure we have what we need for Happy Hour!

We will visit here again!

Willie of Willie's Tug,
   and of Walldog, Willie and Jake
   Wednesday, August 14, 2013