Repairs and the Missing Ring

The morning rain quickly dissipated and the bright sun shown over Friday Harbor.  Our friends had departed with their boat after dealing with a discrepancy in oil level readings.  Now it was our turn to take care of some maintenance. 

Work under the Dinghy

Previously in Blind Bay, Leonard had found a rock with his name on it while crossing the channel in the dinghy.  Oh well, the dinghy has accumulated several dings due to its extensive use and our many beach landings in Mexico; it was time to do some patch work along the underside. 

Extra support under the Dinghy

We purchased a fiberglass repair kit and Leonard began the sanding and patching process while the dinghy was supported by the davit; additional supports were placed under the dinghy for stability.  While Leonard was working on the dinghy, I had noticed throughout the morning that my left hand was hurting and quite swollen.  I had remembered swinging a bag of heavy groceries over my shoulder, turning my hand in a twisting motion, ouch!  I guess those antics should be left for someone younger.  Fortunately, the local clinic determined that my hand was only sprained and not broken. 

My wedding ring, however, needed to come off due to the excessive swelling.  It was either that or my finger!  Seems my ring had become tight even before the swelling; apparently fingers get bigger as we age so I didn’t mind it coming off (the ring that is) with the use of a ring-cutter.  I can always get the ring re-sized.  I joked with Leonard that perhaps the ring was getting tighter in more ways than one, ha.  Over the next several days I would need to be careful with my hand, no strenuous line-handling etc. so we anchored in a peaceful cove for some respite.

A Twosome Rendezvous

Blind Bay

After our day-visit to Vendovi, we motored a short 30 minutes to Cypress Island and moored on a DNR Buoy for the night.  A number of boats had already arrived for the evening at Cypress in Eagle Harbor but two moorings were still available.  We had a lovely evening with a beautiful view of “Cone Islands” which lie nearby.  The following morning we headed for Blind Bay, a large scenic anchorage at Shaw Island within close proximity to village shops and grocery stores. 

Orcas Landing

We visited the old country store at Shaw Landing and then took the dinghy across Harney Channel to visit the cute shops at Orcas Landing, both landings are serviced by the Washington State Ferries.  Later that afternoon, our friends Bob and Shino arrived with their boat and rafted up next to us in Blind Bay. 

Rafting in Blind Bay

They had been out fishing and shrimping with their Explorer 2400 SeaSport, a well built and well configured sport fishing boat, very popular in the Pacific Northwest.  Bob and Shino were outfitted with the latest fishing gear, including a large net to haul in the big ones!  Or as Bob likes to joke, scoop up his petite wife.  After making sure our boats were secure and well fendered, we settled in for the evening and had a great visit over dinner aboard Got d’ Fever, pot-luck style. 

A Delicious Breakfast

In the morning we shared a pot-luck breakfast of eggs and spinach, coffeecake, and fruit.  There is something special about a rendezvous with friends by boat, perhaps it’s the party atmosphere, the relaxed attitude, or perhaps the sharing of food, drink and stories, or all of the above. 

Shino Ready to Fish

We certainly had a good time and decided to meet up again the next day at Friday Harbor on San Juan Island.  Fortunately, the marina had space for us even though it was over the busy Memorial Day weekend. 

Adding Oil to SeaSport

We found ourselves putting together another pot-luck dinner, this time aboard their SeaSport, and learning more about their recent trip to Spain.  The conversation led to a discussion about other countries and Shino shared with us what it was like growing up in Japan and her visits back home to see family – all very fascinating. 

Departing Blind Bay

Next morning the rain had arrived and it was time to say goodbye to our long-time friends and previous neighbors from Redmond, Washington.      

An Island Gem



Caretakers House, Vendovi Island

After a night’s anchorage at Saddlebag Island, we motored over to Anacortes for groceries and had dinner with our long-time friends Bruce and Pam who have a beautiful home in the area.  It was great to see them again and hear about their plans to visit La Paz, Mexico with their new motorhome this coming fall. 



Got d' Fever at Guest Dock, Vendovi Island

After a couple of nights in Anacortes we motored north to the beautiful Island of Vendovi, located between Guemes and Lummi Islands south of Bellingham Bay.  This 217 acre island is now open to the public (May through September) thanks to the San Juan Preservation Trust which purchased the island in 2010 from the Fluke family. 


Caretakers House

Boaters can tie up to the day-use dock and explore the island trails, grasslands, and beaches.  Unlike Saddlebag Island, the trails on Vendovi are well maintained with good signage and the views are outstanding.  Our friends Shawn and Heather serve as caretakers and live on the John Fluke homestead just upland from the dock.  How many people get paid to live in an island paradise, what a great job! 

Sawmill Shed

You do have to be willing to work hard, however, and use some old-fashioned life skills like obtaining water from a well, running a generator for electrical power, and enjoying the bounty of a well-kept garden. A pump is used to draw water into two large storage tanks, which can also be used for fire suppression.  Shawn and Heather gave us a nice tour of the outbuildings, machinery, and equipment, including the old farm sawmill as well as directing us to the site that once served as the Fluke cemetery.   

Several Gardens throughout the Property

After hiking the trails through the beautiful forest out to the meadows and beaches, we joined Shawn and Heather for drinks and snacks at the picnic tables near the boat dock overlooking the sea. 

Trails through the Forest

The island is indeed a special place and boaters can learn more about the island in Shawn’s and Heather’s new guidebook for the San Juan Islands. 

Fungi in the Forest

Shawn and Heather are also authors of the Sea of Cortez and Pacific Mexico guidebooks. 

Beach and Native American Camping Grounds, Vendovi Island

The Short Cut



Swinomish Channel

We departed Coupeville late morning on May 20^th, rounding Strawberry Point on Whidbey Island and headed north for the Swinomish Channel.  The Swinomish is a partly natural channel and partly dredged channel eleven miles long that connects Skagit Bay to the south and Padilla Bay to the north. 


Rainbow Bridge and La Conner

This protected channel is used by pleasure boats as a shortcut to Anacortes and the San Juan Islands.  To maintain navigable depths through these mud flats, the channel must be dredged every three years. 

Although not exposed like the open sea, it can still be rather unnerving since the channel is very narrow, especially when meeting traffic from the other direction!  Boaters must pay close attention to the channel markers and range markers, staying within the boundaries and be mindful of wind and current that can sweep a boat off course. 


Nearing Anacortes and Saddlebag Island

Completed in 1937, the Army Corps of Engineers used dredging and diking to create this navigable channel.  A sharp bend around a high outcropping must be initiated just before reaching Rainbow Bridge and the adorable village of La Conner located on the east side of the channel; the Swinomish Indian Reservation lies to the west.  The channel route is very scenic with lots of Eagles, Herons, and other wildlife; Java kept peering through the hawse to survey the scene.  We soon reached the northern end of the channel, passing under the SR20 Bridge and through the last of the mud flats approaching Anacortes, our old familiar cruising grounds and jumping-off point for the San Juan Islands. 

Anchorage at Saddlebag Island

We decided to spend the first night at anchor rather than at the marina so we motored to nearby Saddlebag Island and dropped the hook.  It was time to get out the kayaks for a first of the season. 

Nice Views from Saddlebag Island

After cleaning off the winter accumulation of green, we paddled around the small island, then went ashore and walked the marine park trails. 

Hiking the Trails, Saddlebag Island

Java went with us of course, excited to rejuvenate her hunting instincts. 

Got d' Fever at anchor, Saddlebag Island

    

 

Cast-Off the Lines!



Sun and Calm Seas

It was mid-May with beautiful weather and we desperately wanted to begin our cruise northward.  A few more boat projects and some business items to complete and we would be off to the San Juan Islands and cross over into beautiful British Columbia.  Leonard made preparations for our journey, including installing a new membrane for the water-maker and installed two new LED spot lights for cruising at night. 


Coupeville

The yearly project of sanding and varnishing cap rails was also on the list and proved to be successful thanks to the nice weather and to some newly learned techniques.  After shopping for supplies, spare parts, and groceries, we cast off the lines on Monday, May 19^th. 

Public Wharf at Coupeville

It felt great to be underway again - first stop, historic Coupeville on Whidbey Island.  This adorable village by the sea was founded in 1852 by Captain Thomas Coupe and is the second oldest town in the State of Washington.  It was officially incorporated on April 20, 1910.  The community continues to preserve many of its original pioneer homes and buildings whose architectural styles include Queen Anne, Saltbox, and Block Houses.  It’s a special place with lots of charm and nostalgia. 

Village of Coupeville

Our visit was made even more special with a nice dinner at Christopher’s Restaurant where we met our friends Susan and Chris, who live on the Island. 

Wine Tasting Venue, Coupeville

It was great seeing them again and catching up on mutual boat stories.     

Got d' Fever at Coupeville Wharf Dock

Cute Shops at Coupeville

Opening Day

A Wait for the Locks

The first weekend in May is Opening Day of boating season in Seattle and draws hundreds of boats and spectators.  The annual event includes the Windermere Cup Crew Races and a Boat Parade of participating yacht clubs. 

Got d' Fever in the Large Lock

Being WSU Cougars, we participated with the Cougar Yacht Club and transited the Ballard Locks into Portage Bay to join our fellow Cougar boaters.  With so many boats waiting to go through the locks on Opening Day, we were directed into the large lock.  Larger boats tie up against the wall of the large lock and must handle their own lines, taking up or letting out slack depending on the direction of transit.  Smaller boats raft-up alongside the larger boats and can sit back and relax.  It was our first time with Got d’ Fever along the wall in the large lock – all went smoothly as planned with 50 foot lines bow and stern with plenty of fenders port and starboard. 

Got d' Fever stern-tied at Zero Dock

After transiting the locks, we made our way to Portage Bay where boats stern-tie to Zero Dock, a temporary dock that is set up for participants in the parade.  It’s quite a social event with lots of food, drink, and camaraderie.  Boaters who want to watch the procession and crew races stern tie to the log-boom on the east side of the Montlake Cut, another big party scene of boaters. 

Cougar Mascot with Lorena and Leonard

We had the pleasure of having other Cougars aboard Got ‘d Fever during the parade and had a great time with the two couples who joined us. 

The Cheerleaders on Got d' Fever

We girls served as cheerleaders and led Cougar cheers from the bow of our boat, while Got d’ Fever paraded through the Montlake Cut decorated in crimson and grey.  This year’s theme was “Toys Ahoy” and a number of boats went all out with creative toy decorations, winning prizes in their boat class.  Opening Day in Seattle is a long-standing tradition which began in 1920 and this year marked the 28th anniversary of the Windermere Cup.

Creative Decorations