Blueberry pancakes and cantaloupe was our breakfast fare this morning. Afterwards we busied ourselves with the few chores needed to get ready for our departure. We weren’t in a rush, but had a ways to go – we backed away from our slip at about 9:30 in the morning. As we rounded the breakwater and turned to the north I could see that the ferry Puyallup was still firmly in the dock with thrust holding it there. As we continued on to pass by the ferry, I saw the thrust stop, which meant he was about to leave the dock. Sure enough, one prolonged blast of the horn indicated their imminent departure. At 400 feet and several hundred tons, he had all sorts of rightaway, so we slowed a bit and executed a 360 degree turn while he pulled away from the dock. We then passed directly behind what was now his stern and headed off across the sound towards the southern tip of Whidbey Island.
Cruising along the far shoreline, just south of Mukilteo, we saw in the distance a couple boats that appeared to be Chris Crafts. Erin confirmed their approximate vintage with the binoculars. I suspected it might be the Key Largo and the Gin Fizz, two of the boats that came down from Canada for the rendezvous in Port Orchard. They had planned on going into Lake Union via the locks to spend a couple days in Seattle before heading back north towards Telegraph Harbour. I called Key Largo on the VHF radio and they responded, confirming their position. They had the same thought we did – head up towards La Conner and see what the weather was like before deciding to turn into town or head out through Deception Pass. We were cruising at about 8 knots and they were going quite a bit faster, around 10 to 12 knots, so they soon disappeared in the distance. We’ll see them again at the Canadian Chris Craft Rendezvous.
As we approached Clinton on the eastern shore of Whidbey Island, I could see the Mukilteo Clinton ferry approaching off our starboard beam and it appeared we’d both arrive in the vicinity of the ferry dock at about the same time. A total 360 wasn’t necessary this time, just a turn to starboard for a few minutes so that we could cut behind them.
When we left Kingston it was fairly overcast, but as we cruised on the sky cleared and good weather prevailed. We had a little wind and chop as we crossed in front of Everett, but by the time we reached the Camano shore we were in smooth water with lots of sunshine. We snacked some on trail mix and rice crackers, and then Erin went below and fixed us all tuna fish sandwiches. What a mate!
As we left the northern shore of Camano and headed for Strawberry Point on Whidbey we decided to continue on straight towards Deception Pass. We would arrive about 45 minutes past slack current, but we were in a period of neap tides and didn’t expect much turbulence. Several minutes after we passed the turnoff to La Conner, we heard a “pan pan” call on the VHF. This is a trouble call, but less urgent than a Mayday because the callers are not in imminent danger. The call was from a sailboat that had run aground at the south entrance to the Swinomish Channel. Although the channel is clearly marked with buoys and range finders, we see vessel aground there more often than not, so it was no surprise. The Port Angeles Coast Guard station answered their call and took their coordinates, and a cruiser that had just passed us going the opposite direction answered the call as well, offering to assist if they could. We saw a Vessel Assist boat headed that way several minutes later, probably out of Coron
et Bay, so I’m sure they got dislodged without having to wait for the tide to come in.
We continued on through Deception Pass without incident, but with an overload of scenery. Ray and Erin were both hanging out either side door taking photos and video, and reported the wind chill was significant, as a stiff ocean breeze was coming down the Straits of Juan de Fuca. We headed out across Rosario Strait towards Lopez Pass under sunny skies. There were some rollers but it was a fairly smooth ride and we reached the far shoreline about 45 minutes later.
Beyond Lopez Pass is Hunter Bay, our stop for the night. We are at anchor with at least 28 other boats by count, but the bay is large and it doesn’t seem that crowded at all. We’re now officially in the San Juan Islands. We all kicked back and relaxed for an hour or so, then Ray and I continued to relax while Erin and Mary whipped up some dinner of cod prepared with crushed almonds, potatoes and corn. Tomorrow we plan on heading to Bedwell Harbour in the Gulf Island to clear Canadian customs, so we cooked all our potatoes. Potatoes are one of the food items not allowed across the border, but if they’re already cooked they won’t take them. This means hash browns in the future.
We were entertained by two day sailers plying the waters of the harbor – a blue hulled sloop named the Rapid Transit and an open ketch with several people aboard were weaving among the anchored boats taking advantage of the breeze, which is still blowing at about 8 or 9 knots. It feels good to be at anchor and away from the hubbub. We’ll probably be back to that at Ganges, where we plan to dock for the convenience of access to town.
Cruising along the far shoreline, just south of Mukilteo, we saw in the distance a couple boats that appeared to be Chris Crafts. Erin confirmed their approximate vintage with the binoculars. I suspected it might be the Key Largo and the Gin Fizz, two of the boats that came down from Canada for the rendezvous in Port Orchard. They had planned on going into Lake Union via the locks to spend a couple days in Seattle before heading back north towards Telegraph Harbour. I called Key Largo on the VHF radio and they responded, confirming their position. They had the same thought we did – head up towards La Conner and see what the weather was like before deciding to turn into town or head out through Deception Pass. We were cruising at about 8 knots and they were going quite a bit faster, around 10 to 12 knots, so they soon disappeared in the distance. We’ll see them again at the Canadian Chris Craft Rendezvous.
As we approached Clinton on the eastern shore of Whidbey Island, I could see the Mukilteo Clinton ferry approaching off our starboard beam and it appeared we’d both arrive in the vicinity of the ferry dock at about the same time. A total 360 wasn’t necessary this time, just a turn to starboard for a few minutes so that we could cut behind them.
When we left Kingston it was fairly overcast, but as we cruised on the sky cleared and good weather prevailed. We had a little wind and chop as we crossed in front of Everett, but by the time we reached the Camano shore we were in smooth water with lots of sunshine. We snacked some on trail mix and rice crackers, and then Erin went below and fixed us all tuna fish sandwiches. What a mate!
As we left the northern shore of Camano and headed for Strawberry Point on Whidbey we decided to continue on straight towards Deception Pass. We would arrive about 45 minutes past slack current, but we were in a period of neap tides and didn’t expect much turbulence. Several minutes after we passed the turnoff to La Conner, we heard a “pan pan” call on the VHF. This is a trouble call, but less urgent than a Mayday because the callers are not in imminent danger. The call was from a sailboat that had run aground at the south entrance to the Swinomish Channel. Although the channel is clearly marked with buoys and range finders, we see vessel aground there more often than not, so it was no surprise. The Port Angeles Coast Guard station answered their call and took their coordinates, and a cruiser that had just passed us going the opposite direction answered the call as well, offering to assist if they could. We saw a Vessel Assist boat headed that way several minutes later, probably out of Coron
et Bay, so I’m sure they got dislodged without having to wait for the tide to come in.We continued on through Deception Pass without incident, but with an overload of scenery. Ray and Erin were both hanging out either side door taking photos and video, and reported the wind chill was significant, as a stiff ocean breeze was coming down the Straits of Juan de Fuca. We headed out across Rosario Strait towards Lopez Pass under sunny skies. There were some rollers but it was a fairly smooth ride and we reached the far shoreline about 45 minutes later.
Beyond Lopez Pass is Hunter Bay, our stop for the night. We are at anchor with at least 28 other boats by count, but the bay is large and it doesn’t seem that crowded at all. We’re now officially in the San Juan Islands. We all kicked back and relaxed for an hour or so, then Ray and I continued to relax while Erin and Mary whipped up some dinner of cod prepared with crushed almonds, potatoes and corn. Tomorrow we plan on heading to Bedwell Harbour in the Gulf Island to clear Canadian customs, so we cooked all our potatoes. Potatoes are one of the food items not allowed across the border, but if they’re already cooked they won’t take them. This means hash browns in the future.
We were entertained by two day sailers plying the waters of the harbor – a blue hulled sloop named the Rapid Transit and an open ketch with several people aboard were weaving among the anchored boats taking advantage of the breeze, which is still blowing at about 8 or 9 knots. It feels good to be at anchor and away from the hubbub. We’ll probably be back to that at Ganges, where we plan to dock for the convenience of access to town.
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