And Willie Said: September 2013

Monday, September 23, 2013

Joe and Pearl in Friday Harbor -- Tuesday, 9/10/2013 - Day 123

Today we begin our adventures with Joe and Pearl to let them experience cruising in the Pacific Northwest. Friday Harbor for lunch is first, so we pick them up outside The Majestic around 10A and head for Willie's Tug in Cap Sante Marina.

We suggest they sit up front for the best view, and once we are ready, Herb orients them to the boat and shows them their life jackets are readily accessible.

Joe is very eager to untie our lines and cast us off, and we love having this special crew member. We ease out of the marina and follow our plotted course for the best wind and current. Joe checks the GPS on his phone to see our location.

I equip them with the free San Juan map which is available at every marina, our Dreamspeaker Guide for the San Juans and of course Wagnor's Cruising Guide. They will not lack for information on this trip.

Joe also watches the Garmin chart plotter, and we set him up with Navionics on my iPad, so he can zoom and scroll for locations.

It is flat calm on the water and not too much traffic. The ambient temperature is very nice and we are glad for these conditions.

We meet an American Tug, Flexible, and think of our friends Steve and Tina, whom we expect to see for lunch today at Herb's Tavern. Joining us also will be Bob and Dil of R-21 Hercules.

As always, there are plenty of large ships to catch our eye. Container ships are so colorful! The fishing boat Anna Marie heads out for hopefully a good catch.

It is interesting to note that Pearl is as fascinated with rock as I, and she especially likes this one with a hole in it. We wonder about how it was carved and weathered over eons.

Oh, my goodness! The strangest thing I have ever seen on the water is a house being towed! Herb sees the tug Jennifer on AIS and we observe the house with three fireplaces. Actually, as we overtake her, we realize it is the big house and a guest house.

We would love to know where it came from and where it is going and why. Perhaps something of historic value.

We arrive at Friday Harbor and walk up the long steep hill to Herb's Tavern, when Herb explains to Joe and Pearl that not only is it his 'namesake,' but the restaurant has really good food. We have never been disappointed.

We pause for a photo by the sign on the outside wall.

Inside our table awaits us, as do Dil and Bob.

Every time we go to Herb's Tavern, Herb teases the staff about deserving a free meal, since the restaurant was 'named for him,' but they simply laugh with him. Today he gets lucky and is rewarded for his efforts with a tee shirt! No free lunch!

After a delightful visit with friends and a tasty lunch, we think we should head to the boat to begin our cruise back to Anacortes. We need to rest up before Cocktail Hour.

I point out some marine life along the dock to Pearl -- the jelly fish and sea vegetation. No time to see the harbor seal, Popeye, today.

However, we do stop for a photo of Joe and Pearl with Mt. Baker in the background, seen over his left shoulder. The mountain appears small at this distance, but ever so radiant as she keeps her snow.

Washington State Ferry, Evergreen, is leaving Friday Harbor at the same time as we, so she lends herself to a close up photo.

In Guemes Channel we overtake a large ship with an escort and give them plenty of room, as we approach the Cap Sante marina breakwater and are back home.

Pearl invites Herb and me to their place for cocktails and dinner, so we load up the provisions and Herb cooks in the 'big galley.' After plans are made for tomorrow's adventure, which will be a tour of Anacortes, we reflect on the fun day we had today.

Herb's Tavern Decor

Willie of Willie's Tug,

and of Walldog, Willie and Jake

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Joe and Pearl -- Monday, 9/9/2013 - Day 122

We are up early today for a car trip to SeaTac to pick up our Texas neighbors, Joe and Pearl, who will spend a week in the PNW to see what all our excitement is about and why we love cruising here.

As we get into Seattle, we see fog partially obscuring our view of the Space Needle, and are glad we are on the highway, not Puget Sound.

Actually, we are early, as their flight does not arrive until almost 9P tonight, but I never want to miss a chance to shop.

It seems appropriate during our leisurely afternoon to find a Texas license plate in honor of our expected guests. And how delighted I am at this one, as Three Dog Night is one of my favorite singing groups.

Soon it is time to go to the cell phone waiting lot for the arrival of Joe and Pearl's flight. Even the control tower excites me, as I anticipate seeing our friends.

As this plane begins its descent, I ask, "Is this their flight? Or is it this one?" I wonder when they will call.

The phone call comes and we drive to the arrivals loading area -- soon we see them!

We drive home to Anacortes and they settle into their suite at The Majestic, where they will sleep well, now that their inner clocks read 1:30A.

Pearl

Willie of Willie's Tug,
and of Walldog, Willie and Jake,
Monday, September 9, 2013

Goodbyes -- Sunday, 9/8/2013 -- Rendezvous Day 4, Day 121

As we feast on croissants and steaming hot coffee, we are sad to see our Ranger friends leave on Sunday morning, but look forward to next year. Many have volunteered to be on the committee for 2014, so it should be very good!

Can't wait!

Willie of Willie's Tug,
and of Walldog, Willie and Jake
Sunday, September 8, 2013

On edit, a few more boats are shown below.

Passage Weaver

Andiamo

Another Great Day -- Saturday, 9/7/2013 - Rendezvous Day 3 -- Day 120

What would a Rendezvous or other Ranger get-together be without the 'factory guys?' They come to the rescue if we have a problem or need advice. In Herb's case, the Garmin chart plotter misbehaves and is fixed this morning. They also help with some other things Herb thinks of for Willie's Tug.

All this happens while we feast on the breakfast sponsored by the Rendezvous Committee. Chairman Harmony transports her supplies and small dogs, Teddy and Bit Bit, in a handy cart.

Vendors set up booths in a float tent on C-Dock, as well as at the entrance to the marina, and we visit Anchor Marine insurance, Yanmar, Garmin, Volvo Penta and Bellingham Power Squadron, who offers safety checks and and information about their educational programs.

Anne and Laurence of the Dreamspeaker Cruising Guide series display their travel guides, and Craig Wilson is excited to see the new Puget Sound book featuring Gig Harbor, where he and Kathy moor their R-29 Salish Rover. We both get our books autographed by the authors.

Bruce tells me of an adorable little girl, who has a stuffed toy puppy on her boat (a puppy being a requirement of the purchase of the boat), and she delights in giving out treats to real dogs.

She is the daughter of Paul and Tanya Schofield of the R-25 Midori, and visits Jake more than once. I think he enjoys it more than she does.

Jim and Lisa Favors of Kismet present a seminar in the Seafarer's Building on cruising Lake Powell, which is partly in Arizona, but mostly in Utah. (Photos by the Favors tba.)

With so many friends here, and today being the last full day of the Rendezvous, we make an effort to visit with as many as we can.

Paolo of Sybil Jean and his Ridgebacks, with Matt of Cut N Rug II

The Committee hosts a Wine and Cheese party at Happy Hour, and it looks to be a success.

Fred of R-31 Sunrise

Dil and Tina

JoAnn of C-28 Seoul Survivor II shows her latest fashion statement.

The Ranger Tug factory sponsors a BBQ dinner of chicken and roast beef, and no one goes home hungry!

Jeff takes the mike to thank all you planned and worked during the weekend, then calls out lucky numbers for door prizes. He makes a lot of people very happy.