New Windlass batteries for Lofrans Tigres

 I checked my windlass batteries the other day and saw they were new in 2009! Though they still seemed to be holding a charge, I knew it was time to replace them. 16 year old wet acid batteries are a testament to the quality of the Interstate batteries from Costco. I use two of them to power our Lofrans Tigres windlass that pulls a lot of power, and I always do this with the engine running, alternator powering, and the windlass batteries linked with the house batteries, also two deep cycle. So in effect, there are four batteries putting power to the windlass. We never lack power for pulling up our rode! 

High Summer seas and trails

After an awesome family backpacking trip at Glacier Peak wilderness, we had a few days to get to the boat and head out for some water time. It was a relief to be back near the sea, with moisture and cooler temps, after the intense solar radiation and blue skies of the mountains. It was just Amy and I aboard, which makes it easy and lovely. We went to Jones first, enjoying a night in the north cove and a bit of walking on our tired legs. The next day we went to Prevost Harbor, which always feels more like Canada than the San Juan's because of how it orients. We wanted that view and the shorter walk to the lighthouse, as we were still recovering from our hike. Glorious weather and the lighthouse was open for the usual summer tourist season. What's remarkable is that even in summer it's really not that busy in these places. I mean, they are far busier than in winter, when we have them to ourselves, but considering how many boats are in Puget Sound, it's not a high concentration of them. And once you get out and walk, you are alone enough to not mind the few you pass. Heard a story of a big sailboat, 50+ feet, that ran aground near John's island last week because they were too close to shore. We all make mistakes, but with modern chartplotters and GPS, there is really no excuse for running aground in that area.

View from our favorite high spot near the lighthouse

Another day at the prettiest spot in the San Juan Islands

Prevost view out

To Jones with visiting family

 Such a pleasure to have taken so many friends and family to Jones over the years. It was packed this weekend with boaters and campers, and reminded why we enjoy it in winter so much. But we were able to anchor in the North Cove in about 50 feet of water. 

Conditions were benign this weekend, with mild temperatures and light winds. We had family visiting with their young son, which brought back all sorts of memories of raising our own sons in the islands. We dinghied around, hiked around, played around. Going feral in the islands is one of the greatest pleasures in life for all, but especially for little kids. They don't get that freedom at most homes, or in cities. 

We all enjoyed ourselves thoroughly and noted the benefits of being in that semi-wild place while the world seems to crumble around us. I thought often of Wendell Berry, Edward Abbey and Thoreau. Thank you Aeolus. 

Tumbo Gumbo-Memorial Day Funbo

What joy! Both boys and a best friend aboard Aeolus for the three day weekend. To Tumbo we go. 20nm direct from Friday Harbor but a necessary stop at Bedwell Harbor customs adds a few. More importantly, that stop means you must traverse a good long way east to round East Point on Saturna and you had better have the current with you when you do that. We had bluebird skies on Saturday, warm and lovely. Caught the flood. 

Cabbage Island is sadly closed to day use, at least above the high tide line. This is evidently for preservation of cultural resources but I know of no other island paid for with public funds that is closed to public use for preservation of cultural resources. Surely all the others have that same claim. Surely Russel, and Portland and Jones and so on and so forth. While part of the Gulf Islands National Park mandate is obviously respecting and preserving First Nations cultural resources, this should be done by closing specific smaller places on Cabbage and not a blanket closure. Truly a shame. The signage says it is until further notice. Perhaps they are waiting for public outcry. It is outrageous to sea kayakers, and for other boaters. The solution is education and enforcement, not closure of the whole island. 

View into Reef Harbor

Best view in all the lower Salish Sea

The cycle of life-a harbor seal 

Found fun is all around on the south beach

Anyway, we enjoyed Tumbo as always. So special. Saw two river otters, loads of bald eagles, seals, norther flickers, swallows, and deer. It's the most fecund place we know of anywhere in the Salish Sea. 

The trip back was incredibly fast. It was a very strong ebb on the new moon day. Caught that ebb all the way back, with only the usual slowing and difficult as you transition to President's channel from the rush of water trying to go out Boundary Pass. Did 9.6 knots, sustained, in President's channel. Total travel time back to Friday Harbor was only 3.5 hours. 

Lovely Jones escape with puppers

 What a gorgeous weekend to be on Aeolus and escape to Jones. Sunny and calm, verdant and spring. We've acquired a new creature in our lives, a puppy we call Calvi, and he's a real charmer. This was his first trip to Aeolus and he seems to fit right into the boat life. Not alarmed at anything, mellow, eager to have fun. He's not quite potty trained but caught on quick to using the cockpit for his business when not ashore. 

We walk slowly with him as he's a hound and smells everything pretty intensively. Going slowly is just fine, as consciousness moves at the speed of a slow walk. He brings your attention to every leaf and bug. 

I recently changed the thermostat on the engine as it kept running cool down to about 165 or 170 even though it was an 180 thermostat. I brought it home and tested it in hot water and it seemed to work OK, but I didn't trust it. The new one functions properly and brings the motor slowly up to 180 and sits there. 

Another interesting thing is that I changed the engine oil some 11 engine hours ago. Normally, the engine oil turns dark black within an hour or two of operation. But I've gone to only using renewable diesel, which I have to acquire in Portland and drive up in 5 gallon containers to Aeolus. It's clear, and burns cleanly. Well, my oil is still looking clean and amber 11 hours after replacing it. Unheard of. I can only think that is due to the renewable diesel, as nothing else has changed. 

The Space/Time continuum

 On this three day weekend we went up to Aeolus and once again experienced the disconnect between time, space and our perceptions of time and space. We went to Jones for the overnight as we didn't get to the boat until Saturday night. Despite the benign weather and three day weekend, the hundreds of fine boats at Friday Harbor remained in their slip and we were the only boat at Jones or out and about. Astonishing. Boats with names like Intrepid, Adventurous, Why Knot, and who goes out? Aeolus! 

We startled quite a few animals on our circumnavigation of the island, as clearly they do not expect two legged creatures this time of year. We came across a very large river otter on the west side rocky bluffs. 

The forecast was for E winds only 5-10, but there was a steady 10-15 blowing NE down President's channel that made our decision to go to the North Cove seem a bit silly. It was a bumpy night, and the forecasted calm winds overnight did not happen either. For anyone not familiar, the north side of Jones is open to a lot of fetch to the N and NE. You can always hop around to the south cove in such conditions. 

The trip back to our slip was quick with the ebb helping us along down San Juan Channel. We did 6.5 to 7 knots all the way for a quicker than normal return. 

There is absolutely no way to understand how a mere 36 hours in the islands on Aeolus can be part of the same space/time continuum as the one in town back home. It defies any comprehension how it can be so rich, complete, and lengthy. Guess we will just have to keep doing this! 

West side toward San Juan

Only green clothes I own and all on at the same time! 

Perfect Madrone skin

North to Waldron and Orcas

A trip amongst boat maintenance weekend

 I went out alone this weekend and managed to fit in a trip to Stuart Island amongst an enormous amount of boat cleaning and maintenance. Winter is always a magical time to travel in the Salish Sea, and while I am a diurnal fellow and will always prefer summer, the winter has charms that are unique to the season. Chief among these may be the fact that no one else goes out! 

I got to the islands on Friday and left for Stuart on Saturday morning. It was a calm and lovely morning, with no wind and mild conditions. Motoring up to Spieden Channel and through it to Reid Harbor is always a treat. There were no sea lions this time, but the usual bald eagles and non-native goats on Spieden. If I was rich, I would buy that island just to sterilize all the non-native ungulates so the poor flowers and trees have a chance to grow and regenerate. The current owner does not seem to have any ecological interests. There are only old trees growing on Spieden now, especially on the sunny south side. It won't be long before these die and nothing else can grow in their stead. 

Anyway, arrived at Reid and was the only boat in the harbor. I dropped the hook and immediately began some boat cleaning. The top sides were in bad need of scrubbing. This being done, I went to land and cleaned the growth off the dinghy. Yikes, it had mature forests of mussels and barnacles! I walked the eastern side of the State Park isthmus to stretch my legs, and to my delight came across a male Hooded Merganser in Prevost Harbor. So magnificent in his breeding plumage. Then I heard his mating call. Of all the life on Earth, the Hooded Merganser is among the most beautiful things. 

It was a quiet night with only moderate winds in Reid. The Cubic Mini gets so hot and toasty it's a game changer. I finished reading Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver, and that's a dark tale of Americana. 

On Sunday morning I did a quick four mile walk on Stuart and then departed for Friday Harbor to resume my boat maintenance in earnest. To my surprise when I exited Reid, the Around the County race was headed noth out of the Roche area and right in front of me. Had to be more than 100 boats. They must have changed the course this year from last to avoid the forecasted 30+ knot winds later on Sunday in Haro Strait. That's such a cool race. I don't race or know any racers, but it would be fun to do it sometime. 

The 2 hours back to the slip went happily by, and I spent the rest of Sunday tackling a very long list of projects. So purposeful and satisfying. Because we went to Europe this summer instead of Desolation Sound, the boat did not get the normal use and maintenance that trip brings about.