A much needed break from projects.
Boat improvements are still at the forefront of our minds and always will be I suspect. But this week, we finally got out to explore.
Wednesday we motored up to the cute little town of Poulsbo. The bay was relatively warm and the day was hot so we dove in. It was refreshing and we seized the opportunity to scrub the hull of our dinghy ‘Scootie’. We later found out from a local that they ‘wouldn’t dip their feet in the gross bay’. Oh well.
Thursday it stormed. We were dedicated to plowing 25 miles north to Port Townsend so we sat in the wind, rain, and waves for 5 hours slogging along under diesel power. We could’ve sailed. Probably should’ve. But for a list of reasons, we chose not to. A tear in the sail (the reason for heading north) and the discomfort of beating into a 20 knot rainy wind were the top reasons. Eunice got sea-sick. Our first sea-induced barf on scooter goes to Captain Eunice.
We got to Port Townsend, dropped the hook, and enjoyed a beer with the other boat crew still signed up for the 2020 Coho Hoho (the rally to San Fran). Back at anchor, waves kept pounding us until about midnight when, mercifully, the sea returned to glass.
this picture was taken several days later when we weren’t getting tossed around.
Rydell and Kyla, our college friends, pulled into the parking lot as we pulled up to the fuel dock as planned at 6:30 am. Side note, it’s been the biggest blessing in the world having Kyla & Rydell living nearby. Having generous people who love boats, boat projects and have tools and laundry machines has been incredible. If we make it south, it will be to the credit of the Reinbolds.
We shoved off and headed north for a Tour-de-San-Juan. The Straights of Juan de Fuca were calm, we didn’t catch any fish, but we did learn that ‘San Juan’ and ‘Juan de Fuca’ are not the same ‘Juan’.
We popped into our favorite anchorage, Watmough bay, and went for a hike. A rope swing and an astounding view of the bay awaited us.
We pulled the hook, continued to fish, and sailed north. The rain returned but we would not be deterred from breaking our single-day distance record.
We crossed the 60-mile line just east of Sucia Island, the “Jewel of the San Juans”.
En-route, Rydell spotted a washed away crab pot buoy. Hoping it would be attached to a lost crab pot, and maybe full of crabs, the girls took control of the boat, and Rydell and I took command of Scootie.
The 3 buoys were just connected to a severed line, but for what Westmarine charges, we were thrilled with our find. Ironically, Rydell had a crab pot but didn’t bring it for lack of a legal buoy.
Thankfully Saturday was dry for the hikes & dinghy rides.
the china caves on Sucia island, keeping us all entertained.
We returned to the water and waved at the Canadian gulf islands as we headed South. The port of Friday Harbor was packed too tightly for Scooter to find a safe anchorage so we pressed on. Thank goodness we did because the wind picked up and we were finally able to show Kyla & Rydell what all the hype was about. Sails filled, Scooter leaned, charcuterie spilled, but we were all so filled with joy.
The highlight of the weekend for me was the Saturday afternoon hike with Eunice.
She’s a lousy hiker but is pretty good at riding contently on our shoulders.
It was a treat to be hosting friends and under sail again.
Now that we’re moving again, the next stop is to visit a sailmaker in Anacortes. Today we sailed 35 miles North and removed our Main Sail. Hopefully, they can help our aging sail without ruining the budget.
Scooter is Naked and docked next to a 150-foot megayacht but still manages to be our little proud ship.
I already feel I am along for the adventure!
What a great adventure.