More fun on the high seas

The weather was surprisingly good all week with only one rain-out. After leaving Friday Harbor we headed out to take a turn around the South end of San Juan Island and into the Strait of Juan de Fuca, but after getting pummeled around by a hardy surf we decided on plan B and headed north to the calmer waters of Harney Channel and the protection of Shaw Island. We tucked into Blind Bay, joining about a half dozen Canadian sail boats who also, we learned the following day, had given up their quest of the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

The anchorage was well worth the detour as we spent the evening watching a picture post card sky.



The next morning we headed up the East Sound of Orcas Island to take a mooring at the Rosario Resort which was built as a residence by the one time ship builder and former Mayor of Seattle. It a beautiful property which is a continuing work in progress as far as the restoration and maintenance go. There is a fantastic museum containing a well maintained Aeolian Organ as well as much information about the early 1900's ship builder and his family.


It was supposed to be a one night stand but the following day we were kept in port by a hardy
rain and plentiful fog. We took the opportunity to rent a car and spend the day driving in and out of the nooks and crannies of the Island seeing the tiny towns and their art co-ops and galleries.



The next day the rain stopped and we ventured out onto the waters again. We did have to hold up for a few hours while the fog cleared after our initial push out into the shipping channels. In spite of the radar, chart plotters and two GPS units I did not feel it was necessary to run blind in spite of the fact Carl was having a ball with all of the toys.


Later in the afternoon we were rewarded by clear skies and a small pod of Orca Whales cruising along the south shore of San Juan Island, just where they were supposed to be hanging out.


This morning as predicted the skies were clear and after the morning surface fog burned off we were again rewarded with great views including the obligatory light house on at Cattle Point, San Juan Island. We were also able to see across Juan de Fucal to the Olympic Peninsula and the Olympic Range.



As we came across the Bellingham Channel this afternoon Mt. Baker had finally given up its coat of haze and we were able to get a clear picture.



We are now back in Cap Sante Marina getting ready for our check in tomorrow at 9am. Chris will be up early afternoon with our missing dog
who, from all reports, has had quite the vacation with Sophie and Pecos. I am sure it will take him a few days to get used to living in the coach again.

Layover day in Friday Harbor

After a fun ride down from Sucia State Park during which we got to experience some challenging currents at a very low tide we arrived at Friday Harbor, the largest City among the islands, which is located on San Juan Island. Being Friday afternoon we decided to get a two day slip rental and get the shopping and laundry done while we were there. Five days in a pair of Khakis was plenty.

I guess I forgot to mention the fact that the port is also full of wonderful seafood restaurants and pastry shops. We checked them all out as well as some of the Galleries. We never did make it to the Whale Museum but will save that for our drive over Ferry trip while Chris is with us.

The park on the edge of town displayed a bit of Native American art including the set of door posts for a traditional Lodge.

The village is very cute and touristy, but there is also a substantial year round population and thus there are all the necessary stores and they are well supplied. It seems there is a small Laundromat on almost every street corner. Only a few machines but they get the job done.

This morning after a final run into the grocery to make sure we would have enough coffee and 1/2&1/2 to make it till Saturday we headed out into a rather robust wind and pretty good chop.

The sun was shining and before we decided to turn North and change our plan for the day I was able to get a good view of the Olympic Range ( bottom picture), across the Strait of Juan de Fuca, on the Olympic Peninsula. Now I am hoping for a clear day and a good view North to Mt. Baker.

From The Water

Carl had a grand time going through his Piloting course and I had a weekend to get organized and packed for the long anticipated excursion.

Monday morning we arrived bright and early for the check in and vessel orientation. By early afternoon we were motoring out of the Cap Sante Harbor with enough information to have our heads spinning. It is good to know they won't let just any Bubba out on the high seas. We made it a short day and headed to Hunter Bay on Lopez Sound, only a few hours away. We spent the evening quietly reabsorbing all the information that had been fed to us.

It is beautiful out here and although many mornings havc been cloudy the past two afternoons have been absolutely beautify. The shores seem to be more developed than I had expected and there are some really opulent homes. I guess there are a few dot-comers who didn't loose all of their money.

Last night we moored at the Sucia Island Marine State Park. We were in good company with ten other boats including two 40+ foot sailing vessels which appear to be either a class trip or somthing similar to a NOLS course

There certainly are some beautiful baots out here.

Time to motor off into the sun and see what today has to offer. I know it will be exciting and beautiful

STARTING A NEW ADVENTURE

We survived the month of March in Las Vegas and it wasn't hard. It was warm and sunny and we swam almost every day. Hoover loves the off leash dog park only minutes from the resort and he made quite a few buddies as a "regular".



Lake Mead is still there, but only a shadow of past memories. Hoover thought he was going to get to swim but it just didn't work out that way


Chris came down for a long weekend and we spent some time on the strip. This visit our favorite spot turned out to be the Bellagio. The Garden Restaurant was a real pleasure as the new spring display had been installed for Easter.
In April we mover back to Oregon so that we could spend some time in Portland checking out the assorted forms of entertainment and of course all of the Craft Breweries. We had a chance to see another Cirque du Solile production in Portland and enjoyed some fantastic up colose views of Mt. Hood.





We have now migrated to Anacortes, WA and have set up camp on Fidalgo Bay where the Coach will spend the rest of this month. We, on the other hand, will be out on a 32' Nordic Tug named the "Louise Ann" exploring the San Juan Islands. The computer is going to join the camera on this adventure and hopefully we will make time to get the two together regularly to keep the Blog up to date.