A Hop, Skip, and a Boat Trip Around the San Juan Islands

     We pulled into Roche Harbor Marina guest side moorage this morning around 10:45.  Our aim was slip number 26, with a little help from some 13 knot wind and bad timing we missed our target and a piling by only a few centimeters and safety tied up in slip 27 at 10:55.  We plugged in for the first time in 9 days.  Scott gave the boat a fresh water rinse and we headed up the docks to pay moorage and get lunch (that I didn't fix).  Next and most importantly, we leisurely made our way to the playground for some sliding and swinging.  Naps, showers, laundry, and a little grocery shopping followed.  Dinner, which consisted of cheese, crackers, fresh pineapple, and pan fried chicken was made here on the Velvet Sky.  Electricity and internet was being utilized by 7:00 pm.  I started downloading photos as Scott started trip planning the next leg.  I joined him shortly as the internet is slow as molasses.  We will be in Canada midweek. 

     Here it is 11:38 pm.  Scott and Bucket are sleeping.  The photos just finished downloading (4 hours later) and still a few did not get loaded, some "error."  Tomorrow I will add captions to the photos and share more about the last 9 days.  For now, I will end the day by saying, "goodnight," and sending love to all.

  

This photo kind of depicts how the weather felt that day.  Although we stayed dry and I don't recall it raining that day, it was cold and damp and a little eerie as we made our way slow and steady through the Swinomish Channel.

This is the first Bald Eagle I spotted off the starboard side of the boat, then......

Then....off to the port side we see more than we can count, adults,juveniles, male, and female.....such an incredible sight.

This is the approach to a portion of the channel called "Hole in the Wall." It looked like such a tight fit (if any fit) for the boat.

I think this is where Scott announced we were moving along with a mere 17 inches of water below the keel.

We made through spotted the "Rainbow Bridge" that is the gate way to La Conner

Scott learns about jiggers and how they are used to catch smelt.

Nine little smelt and fresh pineapple made a nice meal

Hello sunrise....fare well La Conner

Good morning Capt'n and Little Crew Man

And onto Deception pass....

James Island....a tiny little island.  We had a small fire at the center of the island, we sat were we could enjoy viewing both sides of the island at the same time. 

I couldn't resist a photo op....

Hiking and exploring

Good idea?  Uh....maybe....

The Island so big it had a dock with enough room for 2 boats

Talking about finding deer, or hunting, dragons, or....

He makes it! All by himself....

I have been informed that they are "Kings of the Mountain"

OUCH! Fell off the teeter-totter!

On again......

Off again!

Decides playing on the beach with his shovel and pail is safer....

Approaching Sucia Island

On Stewart Island we decide to row our bikes ashore for some trail riding.  Turns out the trail is gravel and mostly up-up-up hill.....so we did some good trail pushing...

Totally worth the 3 mile hike/walk/run/bike pushing trip.....the view was spectacular and Bucket is proving himself to be pretty darn good at snapping a photo.
This is at Lover's Leap just before Turn Point

A swing in the middle of the woods?  COOL!

This was a heart pounding experience.....I made it to the top of the mast, monkey hugging it almost the entire way.  I felt likeI was so far up and if I fell, well...it was going to hurt, bad!  Next time will be easier, I know this because I look up at the top now and from down here, it truly is not as far as my mind made it out to be.....next time, less fear, more enjoyment.

Photo taken from the top of the mast

Our daily hike....this is our second day on Stewart Island....we left the bikes on the boat

Tree hangin' is a must!

Next stop, Coupeville

     It was a beautiful, sunny day, though no wind and the water had a glass-like surface, we would have preferred to raise the sails, it just wasn't in the cards.  Today was 3 and a half hour tour.  No cussing, no stress, just a nice pleasant day.  We left Langley at 9:30 am and arrived in Coupville at 1:10 pm.  18 miles in 3 hours motoring at 2000 rpm.  We had bologna sandwiches, fritos, and chocolate milk on deck while underway. It was pleasant.

     Oh! Yeah! I have to say that before we left Langley I practiced backing and jogging the boat in place, it was about a 45 minute lesson.  I feel much more confident about our next anchoring experience.

     We tied up at the dock in Coupville, walked into town, the boys had ice cream and I had a nice cold beer.  It was a good day.

The first leg

     We are doing it, really doing it.  We left Port Townsend at 8:15 am on April 12, 2014.  We are keeping a decent log so far, and kept on course surprising well.  We arrived in Langley, Washington at 4:30 pm.  We motored most of the way because we had the wind at our stern and it was one jibe after another.  It was pretty stressful and yes, there was some cussing. By the time we arrived we were ready to tie up at the dock and take a few deep breaths.  Funny thing though, there was a motor boat gathering in Langley that day and there was no dock available to tie up to.  We were instructed that we could raft up with one of the motor boats or anchor out.  We opted the latter.  Scott's words were, "How appropriate," My thoughts were, "What the *@##*, I am not ready for this!"

       I learned something....I didn't know that I didn't know how to back the boat with the wind pushing the bow.

     Our first attempt at anchoring in Langley was a failure.  Scott pulled the anchor back in and the chain pile fell.  Our no yelling rule (we try to use hand signals while anchoring) went out with tide.  There was yelling and I was quite sure I could not handle the job of backing to secure the anchor.  Eventually we prevailed and the anchor was secure.  The water was rough and the wind was windy.  We tossed the idea of rowing Fresh into town, but that was as far as we went with that. Tossed it and forgot it.

     This was our first experience of not being plugged into electricity.  It felt so primitive, yet so freeing.   We were self sufficient.  Our solar panels fed the batteries and we have a lovely lantern that lights the salon.  Plenty of propane and food for two weeks.  We had hamburgers (with catsup and pickles) and peaches for dinner.

     We snuggled into our home on the rolling waves our beloved diesel heater doing it's job and keeping us warm and cozy.  Around 8:30 we were ready for a good sleep.  Then came the thought of,  "What if the anchor isn't set and we drift ashore?"  Does this mean someone will stay up and keep watch?  Yes, that is exactly what that means.  And we will take turns doing it.  Long story short, the boat drifts with the current (we weren't aware of this fact).  At midnight we were up and outside ready to reset the anchor.  We checked our position, and although we appeared to be drifting, the boat was simply going with the flow and the anchor was firmly in place.  All was well.  Still I didn't rest too well.  Morning came and what a beautiful morning it was.  We survived our first day out and our first night anchored from what I would call civilization.  SUCCESS!

Looking in to Langley from Velvet Sky

Good Morning, Bucket....what do you see?
(leaving Langley)

   

Love to All

Ready.....OKAY!

Ahoy!
   
     Today we tie up the final loose ends.  Laundry, one more trip to the grocery, tie the bikes on deck, and say a few "fair-the-well."  We are ready to throw off the dock lines and set sail at 70 degrees NE (M).   We will leave Saturday or Sunday (tomorrow or the next day) early morning, around 8:30.  We will travel around Whidbey Island to Langley and that will be our first anchorage this leg. We figure about a 6 hour trip.  We will take photos, and update whenever possible.  I added a few photos to the gallery this morning.

Love to All!