We're back!
We had a very nice but relatively uneventful trip to the San Juan Islands!
My daughter had a friend come visit from Ohio whom really wanted to spend the night on a boat. We Left Everett Friday evening on a cold raining afternoon. Our sail has not come in yet so we motored the entire trip. We went to Langly where we spent the night. Our favorite pizza place was closed for remodel so we found a nice English pub where I had Bangers and Mash! Mmmmmm! Since we were at the dock, we had plenty of AC for heat, popcorn and movies!
Saturday We woke to more cold and rain. Yuk. We headed back to Everett so we could drop the girls off. They were headed to Spokane to visit a friend and be there for the friends wedding. Half way back we spied the Victoria Clipper sitting dead in the water. We usually see it doing 20 kts or better. Hmm, must be . . . . . . WHALES! Yup! So we whale watched for about an hour then resumed our trek back to Everett. We dropped the girls off at home and headed back to Destiny where Diane and I spent the night!
Sunday was to be a long day. Everett to Jones Island! we left the dock at 6:30 AM so we could catch Deception Pass on an EBB tide just before slack. Still rain and cold. After slipping through Deception Pass an hour early we were spit out into the Straights of Juan de Fuca. After passing Smith Island the clouds parted and we were in very warm sunshine! YEAH! We motored ahead through Center Channel between San Juan Island and Lopez Island. Evening found us entering the anchorage on the North side of Jones Island only to find two sailboats anchored right in the center of the small bay. We ghosted around them to take the furthest bouy from them allowing for maximum privacy. As soon as we shut Destiny motor down, the two sailboats pulled anchor and left us alone in the bay! Later in the evening we were joined by a San Juan 24 sailboat who took the furthest bouy from us! NICE!
Monday we awoke to a beautiful day! The 24' sloop left before we woke up leaving us alone until some fishing boats dropped in. About 10:00 the Parks Ranger arrived and scurried the fishermen off, Guess comercial vessals are not allowed on the bouys! NExt came a very large boat bring the start park dock with it! YES! They installed the dock while I sailed the harbor in my little Walker Bay. After the dock was installed Diane and I moved Destiny to the dock. The ranger chatted for half an hour or so and then left the isand! OMG! In the summer you are lucky to get anchorage here let alone, a bouy or god forbid a spot on the dock! Here Diane and I are left literally alone on this entire island with no campers, rangers, or other boaters! WOW! We took full advantage of the privacy, and had a most wonderful and unforgetable afternoon in the sunshine! Later that evening a 30 Catalina arrived and spent the night at the dock across from us.
Tuesday was yet again a wonderfull sunshiney day and OMG! The Catalina left very early as they were gone when we woke up! More privacy and alone time! We were again left all alone on the island! NICE!
That afternoon found us motoring toward Friday Harbor. The busiest harbor in the San Juan Islands. We hailed the Port asking for a slip. The gal sounded almost comical as she said take whatever we want! We motored into the marina, came around to the guest dock "G-dock" and it was empty except for one other sailboat! We grabbed a slip and settled in for the day. The other sailboat it turns out to be owed by some good friends of ours however they never turned up so Diane and I walked around town, had great meals, and settled back into Destiny for the night.
Wednesday! Another beautiful day! Our plan was to spend the night in Mackaye harbor on the extreme South end of San Juan Island however NOAA had better plans for us. The hop from the harbor to Deception pass going home is an easy one. However slack tide in Deception is at 7:00 am and at 4:00 PM. Since we do not want to get up early on vacation, 4:00PM is the time. A quick check on the weather and our plans changed. A blow is coming in after lunch tomorrow. Without a full compliment of sails I prefer to avoid the weather. So we crossed Rosario Straight into Guemes channel, past Anacortes and into Swinomish sleugh where we spent the night at LacConner. We found a fantastic pub that serves prime rib where I had my fill of one of my favorite cuts of meat!
Thursday we woke with intent to go to Oak Harbor for our last night out. Again, NOAA changed our plans. A healthy southern blow is coming. While Oak harbor is protected from wave action, the Southern winds blast right through it so we opted for the long haul to our home port. Instead of leaving Destiny that night we got in the truck, went out to dinner, and went back to Destiny for the night.
Friday morning we gathered our stuff and headed home!
All in all a wonderfull time motoring our sailboat form port to port!
Scott
I forgot my camera on this trip so these were taken with my iPad.
click photo to enlarge
Jones Island
Walking path. Entire island is a state park. Takes 5-10 minutes to cross the island at its narrowest point. We were alone on the island!
Destiny all alone at the dock! My favorite picture from the trip.
It is difficult to get anchorage here in summer due to crowds!
Being on the dock alone was fabulous!
Me sailing my new Walker Bay dinghy! 8' long and 75lbs!
Nice shot of perminant moorage at Friday Harbor from our cockpit.
Washington State Ferry coming in with Mt Baker in the back ground!