A Lesser Challenge -- Sunday, 7/14/2013 -- Day 65

Sucia Island has many trails and today we choose a long one to the south, recommended by Ray and also Mary Casebeer.  Near the beginning of the path an interpretive panel tells us, "Sucia Island was named by the expedition of Captain Francisco Eliza, who visited Puget Sound in 1791 in search of the Northwest Passage.  Sucia means 'dirty' or 'foul' in Spanish.  The name refers to the many submerged rocks that made the island a hazardous landing for sailing vessels."

With a two and a half mile hike before us, we do not bring the heavy Nikon, but instead have our smart phones for cameras.  We really want to photograph Willie's Tug, but cannot see our house from here, as the ridge between Snoring Bay and Fossil Bay blocks the view.

Snoring Bay

We walk lively, we climb a few somewhat challenging inclines -- but nothing like Cap Sante Bluff!  Or Homfray, Mary!  We stop ever so often to photograph the awesome scenery.

View Toward Boundary Pass, south of Fossil Bay

One of the most picturesque is a maze with shrubbery taller than our heads, but no photo here as we think we hear mosquitoes -- hurry along.  I capture this part of the trail in my memory.

Herb has the Run Keeper app on his phone set for hiking, telling us how far we have come, showing our course on its map, so we know how much farther to the point.   Excitement builds as we near the end of the trail, yet see there is more ahead.

Are we there yet? 

We see a marker below and get 'proof' that we went all the way.  Oh, there's more -- we agree where we will stop.

A zoom will reveal beautiful Mt. Baker which appears tiny to the left of the small island in the background as the rays of the sun glisten her snow.

Glorious colors paint the sky at day's end, as Willie's Tug swings to the west.  'Night, all. 

Willie of Willie's Tug,

   and of Walldog, Willie and Jake

   Sunday, July 14, 2013

Escape to Sucia -- Saturday, 7/13/2013 -- Day 64

We wake to 59 degrees outside and 68 inside, but the coffee percolator soon chases away the chill.  

After hot oatmeal, honey and raisins for me, egg and sausage for Herb, and dogfood for Jake, we cast off for our destination of a Washington State Park, Sucia Island, northwest toward the US - Canadian border.  We cruise in a light chop and enjoy the bright warming sunshine.

The two docks in Sucia's Fossil Bay are full and we circle back out to catch a mooring buoy about midway of the channel.  With no shore power or water available at the dock, the only advantage would be the convenience of hopping onto the dock for our walks, and meeting new friends.

The magic of the mooring buoy is peaceful evenings swinging gently to an ever changing scene. Peaceful mornings with a hot cup of coffee, and the table is always set.

Find Willie's Tug....

Jake says it is time for an outing, so we climb into his ferry and tie up to the dock on the west side of the bay.  A short walk to the shore of Fox Cove takes us by some very tempting grass where Jake rolls and rolls and rolls.  Hmmm, he is covered with grass seeds, and 'Dr.' Ray has warned of us the little menaces.

Back to Willie's Tug, I find in Jake's grooming bag what I will call a seed comb -- does a great job of lifting those little particles from his fur.  He sleeps while I brush and comb.

What a difference a day makes as we relax in the cockpit, watching the steady stream of boats leaving and others making their way in.  At dusk the Canadian geese serenade us, and I remind Jake that he is a retriever, but not in this situation.

Willie of Willie's Tug,
   and of Walldog, Willie and Jake
   Saturday, July 13, 2013

I Get my Sea Legs -- Wednesday - Friday, 7/10-12, 2013 -- Days 61 - 63

The Summer is half over and I just now get my sea legs, on Clark Island, north of Anacortes and between Orcas Island on the west and Lummi Island on the east.

I could say we are practicing for crossing the Strait of Georgia later in the month.

Or I could say we heard about Clark Island and wanted to experience it.

As we enter Rosario Strait we see a tugboat pulling three barges and recall in Texas we would hear the tug's communication, "I have three strung out," as opposed to "three breasted up."

Arriving at Clark Island, we catch a mooring buoy on the east side with land somewhat protecting us on the south, and expect a south wind.  All good.

In spite of the Ketchikan Ferry that traverses to the east.

In the early evening the wind picks up and gives us quite a bounce -- all night long.  With passing vessels giving us a wake, we have 3-4 foot seas and preparing dinner in the galley presents quite a challenge.

I get my sea legs, so I am set for the Summer.

The best thing about being here is the sunrise the next morning.

Willie of Willie's Tug,
   and of Walldog, Willie and Jake
   Wednesday - Friday, July 10 - 12, 2013

Cap Sante is Burning -- Monday - Tuesday, 7/8 - 7/9, 2013 -- Days 59 and 60

Still in Anacortes, we take advantage of the time to regroup, reorganize the boat and our calendar, and ready for the next cruise.

In the afternoon we hear sirens, but see nothing around us.  Maybe on the other side of town?

More sirens!

Hope the problem is being well taken care of.

Ray and his brother Ed bring Nudibranch back from an overnight and tell us of the fire on the other side of Cap Sante Bluff, which they saw coming in.  The high winds late this afternoon blow the smoke away, so we don't see it from the marina.

He says it is in the forest area, away from houses.  Wonderful!

                                                   Photo by Ray Perry

As we listen to his experience, we begin to see the water sprayed onto the fire high into the air, and he tells us it from the fire tugboats.  It is thought the origin of the fire is fireworks or a cigarette.

This is copied from today's Anacortes American newspaper:  

"At about 6:30 p.m. last night, the Anacortes Fire Department was dispatched to Cap Sante lookout for a wildland fire on the South end of the point, according to Fire Chief Richard Curtis.

"Anacortes and Mount Erie firefighters contained the fire from spreading from the lookout, he said. The fire is estimated to have covered 1/4 to 1/2 an acre.

"Due to the fire originating over a steep cliff, portions of the fire could not be reached via hose lines. Skagit County Sheriff’s Marine 1 and Crowley Tug’s “Protector” were called for assistance in suppressing the fire. Both agencies were instrumental in dowsing the fire from the shore, he said."

The burn did not get the challenging trail, which we can see from our location;  maybe I should climb it again.... 

Tugboat Spraying Sea Water toward the Fire

Willie of Willie's Tug,
   and of Walldog, Willie and Jake
   Monday - Tuesday, July 7-8, 2013

"Stars and Stripes Forever" -- Sunday, 7/7/2013 -- Day 58

One of the birds we love most in the Pacific Northwest is the bald eagle, and we are pleased to see this banner in the Anacortes Lutheran Church.

As we enter the church today we see at the piano Ruth Backlund, who was one of the pianists for "Rhapsody in Blue" recently.  For the Prelude she is joined by Anita McCoy, Laurie Julius-Carver and Wendy Atterberry for an awesome performance of "Stars and Stripes Forever" by John Phillip Sousa.

What a way to celebrate again the birthday of our Country!

If this is not fantastic enough, Adrienne Eide appears with piccolo to add more to our enjoyment. 

We are blessed.

At the close of the service all five return to their positions, the baby grand, the keyboard, and Adrienne with the piccolo.  They perform "Stars and Stripes Forever" again for the Postlude.

We give them a standing ovation!

Willie of Willie's Tug,

   and of Walldog, Willie and Jake

   Sunday, July 7, 2013

No Collision -- Saturday, 7/6/2013 -- Day 57

It is bittersweet but with happy memories that we leave Lopez Islander Resort today.  One more thrill is to see Kenmore Air land at its dock near Willie's Tug's slip, and I hurry over to get photos.

We have a visit from our hot tub friends -- yes, that is where we met them yesterday -- and one day does make a friend.  Like us, they take advantage of the early morning with coffee cups in hand, to get a soak before the tub becomes crowded.

Jake wants to play with their dog, and goes as far as his tether will allow.

We hope to see them again in or on the water!

Renay, Shane, Herb, Barb, Jeff

A nice memory is from the Bay Cafe and I see our table.

Continuing our cruise, we get a nice shot of Moondance.

And a pretty sailboat.

Later a quick not so nice shot of a fast boat cutting across us to head for the beach.  A better thing for her to have done is to set a course astern us.   

Unbelievable, but we watch closely, ready to take immediate action if necessary, but do not have to avert.  No collision.

It is a pleasant cruise on into Cap Sante Boat Haven, and as we pass Towhead Island north of Cypress Island, I smile at it's name and size.

Towhead

Going Home

Willie of Willie's Tug,
   and of Walldog, Willie and Jake
   Saturday, July 6, 2013

My Day Has Come -- Friday, 7/5/2013 -- Day 56

Someone who saw the photos of Herb and Jake taking a dinghy ride with the new motor asked when my turn would be.

My day has come, and I get to take a ride around Fisherman Bay, amazed at how quiet the Torqueedo is.  The protected water is calm now and we tolerate nicely the wakes of many passing boats as they leave for the next destination.  

Those of us left enjoy the tranquility after the excitement of the fireworks celebration.

Bruce and Vicki also have a Torqueedo, so we do not hear them cruising nearby, but finally recognize them.  

Vicki Gives the Lopez Island Wave

She points to the top of a tree, where we see a bald eagle, and traveling farther south we see there are two.

Such a thrill.

Willie of Willie's Tug,
   and of Walldog, Willie and Jake
   Friday, July 5, 20013