A Tear Falls -- 9/25/2013 -- Day 138

Find Willie's Tug ....

She gets her final haul out from Cap Sante Boat Haven, and I think she shed a tear.  

Or was it mine?

Willie of Willie's Tug,
   and of Walldog, Willie and Jake
   Wednesday, September 25, 2013

The End? -- Tuesday, 9/24/2013 -- Day 137

Someone recently said all things begin and end with Bob and Nita -- oh, I said that!

So we must delay our departure a day and find Bob and Nita.  Nellie Too is in her slip at Skyline, the red car and truck are in the driveway, and The Ostlunds are home.  We are in luck!

Herb and I invite ourselves over for a hug to last until next Spring.  Wouldn't you know it -- Nita whips up a salad and Bob adds to the impromptu menu.  Dinner it is.

We enjoy reminiscing about our trips and get-togethers with other boaters, as well as the many fascinating people we meet here in the Pacific Northwest.

We must go now, but we will return!

Willie of Willie's Tug,
   and of Walldog, Willie and Jake
   Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Adios, Cuervo! -- 9/23/2013 -- Day 136

We have so many things to do before we go, so many people to see, and our calendar does not cooperate.  And, yes the WX also!  Today, however, we call Tina and Steve to have a tour of their new boat, American Pride.  Yea!  Their calendar is open!

It is Happy Hour on P-Dock in their spacious cockpit.  Tina shows us the important things -- like the galley and master stateroom, while Steve points out the helm station and the engine room.

There is plenty of room for Tina's menagerie, doggie Cuervo and the kitties.  

As the temperature drops and we feel the chill in the air, we move to the dining table for Tina's delicious shrimp cocktail, which I call dinner!  She is awesome in the kitchen, and it reminds me of their visit to Texas a few years ago.  Steve used his talents in construction to help Herb enlarge our boat house from a size "R-21" to a "R-27."

The guys carpentered, Tina cooked, and I cleaned.  What a deal!

We will soon go our separate ways, but promise to stay in touch over the Winter.

Willie of Willie's Tug,
   and of Walldog, Willie and Jake
   Monday, September 23, 2013

Winds vs Willie's Tug -- 9/22/2013 -- Day 135

The skies are gray, the flags are standing straight out and sound as if they are coming from a snare drum.  Some may require a little mending.  Halyards contribute to this orchestra with bells and cymbals.  Ray Perry says from his window he can see white caps in Bellingham Channel on the western side of Guemes Island.

Notwithstanding, Tina Embody and Cuervo (with his new lion-look trim from Vicki at the Sunnyhill groomer) join Herb and Jake for the chilly morning walk. They get more wind than rain, and the morning later gives a break in the clouds and a glimpse at the sun.

The weather is not done with us though, as winds pick up with a vengeance, and the rain becomes a steady downpour.  Herb goes to check the lines on Ray's Nudibranch to be sure she is secure.  

With a prediction of no change all day, Willie's Tug wants to stay in port, so Herb and I settle in, cook, read and nap.  By 2P it is over, the sky turns to a beautiful cerulean blue, but the wind does not totally settle down.


It is the easiest gale I ever rode out.

Willie of Willie's Tug,
   and of Walldog, Willie and Jake
   Sunday, September 22, 2013

Do We Really Have to Go? -- 9/21/2013 -- Day 134

It does seem like all things start and end with Bob and Nita of Nellie Too;  we barely had our lines tied at Cap Sante Boat Haven on our first day in Anacortes last May, when the party began at their home.  Today is the last get-together of the season for us with those in the area -- yes, at Bob and Nita's!

Jocelyn of Nudibranch

Tina of American Pride

Bob gives the ladies a welcome, even Nita who is wearing a name tag for her guests.

The Tilley hat competition begins, then quickly ends with both entrants being declared winners!

I won!     No, I won!

Happy Hour becomes dinner with all the food provided, and more than one person prepares deviled eggs, nature's most nutritionally complete food.  We share recipes!

Conversation centers around boats -- the most recent trip, where to go next, or in mine and Herb's case, the plan to head south for the winter.  Before we know it, Spring will arrive and we will return for another exciting part of our lives with these friends.

Nature's Perfect Food

Willie of Willie's Tug,

   and of Walldog, Willie and Jake

   Saturday, September 21, 2013

Party on the Dock -- 9/16/2013 - 9/20/2013, Days 129 - 133

We must go south soon.  But knowing we will return next Spring, we do not say "Goodbye," because we feel our slip at K-25 is also home.

Jake hears Lilly next door and goes to visit, or is it only her toy he wants?  It's OK with Lilly, she doesn't like that color, anyway.  Jake thinks it is his job to remove the squeaky from all toys, whether they are his or not.

Tastes Pretty Good!

Some of the best parties are never planned -- they just happen.  Jim and Joan of Wild Blue are still here, and we take over the dock at Ray and Jocelyn's Nudibranch.  

The weather is a bit chilly, but no one cares.  We can always dress accordingly, and the Southern guys will continue to wear their shorts!

Willie of Willie's Tug,
   and of Walldog, Willie and Jake
   September 16 - 20, 2013

Boats Afloat -- Sunday, 9/15/2013 -- Day 128

We drop Joe and Pearl at SeaTac for their return to Texas and wish them a safe flight.

As we leave the area, Herb mentions the Boats Afloat boat show at Lake Union. Really?  We have a boat.  Why do we want to look at boats?

Well, it would be fun.  And besides, it is on our way back to Anacortes.  Imagine that....

So we look at boats, lots of boats, and visit with friends we have met while looking at boats.  

I just happen to have a camera handy --

Find Jeff....

The first Willie's Tug was a Ranger Tug R-21.  Cute!  Loved her!

R-21 Ranger Tug

Today we see boats of many sizes; some have engines and some only have sails.  Boat builders come in all sizes, also, and seem to be quite expert with their tools.  Maybe they will build me a bigger boat.

There's something magical about a marina.

Willie of Willie's Tug,

   and of Walldog, Willie and Jake

   Sunday, September 15, 2013

The Mermaids -- Saturday Evening, 9/14/2013 -- Day 127.1

Back in Anacortes our last night together for a while, it's the cook's and cleaning lady's night off, and Joe is thinking of seafood.  We believe the best chowder in town is at Bob's Chowder Bar near the south end of Commercial Avenue, and decide to check out their entire menu.  

Featured are New England style Clam Chowder, Surf and Turf, Bread Bowl of Chowder, Grilled Wild Salmon, Fish and Chips -- and more.  It is tough to make a decision, but we are served delicious meals.

As we leave the restaurant, Pearl and I become mermaids....

Joe, Willie and Pearl

Willie of Willie's Tug,
   and of Walldog, Willie and Jake
   Saturday Evening, September 14, 2013

Breakfast Again -- Saturday, 9/14/2013 -- Day 127

One of the things you must do at Rosario Resort is have a meal or two in the restaurant at The Mansion.  We have been having such a good time doing our own cooking and enjoying the leisure, that we almost forgot.  So it will be breakfast on our last day here.

We need to wait until the fog lifts, anyway, before getting underway.

Our table overlooks the swimming pool and bay, which are not clearly visible in the haze.

We turn our attention to the inside for a peek at the kitchen and the very hot oven.  Breakfast will be good!

And it is....

Joe's Grilled Vegetables and Baked Eggs

Herb's Eggs Benedict

Willie's Tug is glad to have her people aboard again, and heads for Anacortes after a wonderful week away.

Joe has his map to find our location, and Herb has turned on radar and AIS in the thinning fog.

A bit of history on the grounds is the figurehead from the clipper ship America, which was wrecked on San Juan Island in 1914.  Click the link to see her still attached to the America.

  

Willie of Willie's Tug,
   and of Walldog, Willie and Jake
   Saturday, September 14, 2013