tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38959691545379095562024-03-21T10:33:30.659-07:00Stories of Aeolus- Our Gulf 32 PilothouseUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger288125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3895969154537909556.post-73493374696293972622024-02-20T20:36:00.000-08:002024-02-20T20:36:39.057-08:00Winter quiet at Stuart Island<p> Took the long weekend and enjoyed a lovely quiet weekend in Reid Harbor with our exchange student. Had the place to ourselves, as is typical in winter. The journey along Spieden never disappoints and was once again bursting with marine and avian life. Bald eagles and sea lions abound. Someday, someone will own Spieden island that will allow at least the sterilization of all those horrible non-native sheep and deer that denude the island and prevent any new growth of the oaks. In the meantime, they die and feed the vultures and eagles. </p><p>On Stuart we went out to the lighthouse and up onto our favorite hilltop. Eagles, mouflon sheep (which again should be removed, sterilized) and happy pacific tree frogs. </p><p>Calm conditions. Grey and drizzle. Another young person now in awe of the beauty of the islands. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxA2isTnkspyLRIBCGTVEBRpI0Cnxi3mk0AO-c6eBO-z2vxuAAc6JZpnf7i5UNXemkG8B7LJeG2tLwnKNvfhDiqIarNPGWO2qwbmyGDhli7To9vzl3fAyxLGeceYEFf2PzEbiPG7JugMRcuqMQjV-yySrKYsc8HvGZDPt2_5fyMOBBdn2NP2xLdap2kTxN/s1600/3254ba99-3c0b-4ec1-ab42-d06c0df3472f.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxA2isTnkspyLRIBCGTVEBRpI0Cnxi3mk0AO-c6eBO-z2vxuAAc6JZpnf7i5UNXemkG8B7LJeG2tLwnKNvfhDiqIarNPGWO2qwbmyGDhli7To9vzl3fAyxLGeceYEFf2PzEbiPG7JugMRcuqMQjV-yySrKYsc8HvGZDPt2_5fyMOBBdn2NP2xLdap2kTxN/s320/3254ba99-3c0b-4ec1-ab42-d06c0df3472f.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the way</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6J02ioUNKKiuj4zxwFqCLATDldhDUQ4QOjA_OdZwC7sZAL0bNWvkwYb6_fxdS9fdJxIy68WmVbK1Pakl3tItKnLAH_ecj9Iz5gPuS9yCx1bm_oPY4kiDgcdCvR_WYqutznQJn1UVurnGGc7q5kMmQ81ZrWRLVa6D2loPbEFi6WtKnC1hMTITEsq05C1J5/s4032/IMG_7979.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6J02ioUNKKiuj4zxwFqCLATDldhDUQ4QOjA_OdZwC7sZAL0bNWvkwYb6_fxdS9fdJxIy68WmVbK1Pakl3tItKnLAH_ecj9Iz5gPuS9yCx1bm_oPY4kiDgcdCvR_WYqutznQJn1UVurnGGc7q5kMmQ81ZrWRLVa6D2loPbEFi6WtKnC1hMTITEsq05C1J5/s320/IMG_7979.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my favorite places on the planet</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3895969154537909556.post-13843392955338088712023-11-17T15:50:00.000-08:002023-11-17T15:50:16.840-08:00Veteran's Day get away <p> Taking the opportunity for a three day weekend to board Aeolus and escape to wilderness was just what we needed. We went up Friday morning and knew the forecast was for gale force winds sometime Friday evening. This was perhaps the fastest turn around we had ever had from arriving at Aeolus in Friday Harbor and leaving the slip. It must have been 10 minutes or so, releasing emptying the dinghy of rainwater and moving it to the stern, getting the chartplotter out and ready to go, turning off the fans and boat heater and removing the AC shore power chord, getting the food and stuff put away enough to be voyaging, and letting loose the lines to syphilization. </p><p>Oh blessed be. </p><p>Our journey north to Stuart was aided by the growing SE winds. We raised the genoa and motor sailed at 7+ knots all the way up to Spieden. Spieden channel was as gorgeous and rich with wildlife as always. More on that later. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm7fLqiD_o5Q2eTRppPUZzysLXK78WbaaI6A6sEZ_o7EqYpY3dKxN9c6N2DFDEWQ_5R_BLrXWznJsmDoMJ-4SwUcAtP3w26cpSbxYJDU1i0ey5zx_PJVV1P-OybJS89CQ-ayvkLdJb8OQde8Wyvm-4p4WflpVnM1YwkPKygfZIodmZjo8K_QAxjUdDPqJy/s4032/IMG_7316.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm7fLqiD_o5Q2eTRppPUZzysLXK78WbaaI6A6sEZ_o7EqYpY3dKxN9c6N2DFDEWQ_5R_BLrXWznJsmDoMJ-4SwUcAtP3w26cpSbxYJDU1i0ey5zx_PJVV1P-OybJS89CQ-ayvkLdJb8OQde8Wyvm-4p4WflpVnM1YwkPKygfZIodmZjo8K_QAxjUdDPqJy/s320/IMG_7316.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p>Upon arrival we dropped anchor and did not want to be on the dock with high winds forecasted. Banging against a dock is no fun at all. We went to shore in a freshening breeze and walked the State Parks loop on the peninsula. We got back to Aeolus around dusk and settled in for the night. The Cubic Mini was soon ablaze and what a delight that wood stove is for our winter trips. </p><p>During the night the wind indeed came up and was as strong as any we've experienced in Reid Harbor. It is a hurricane hole for sure, but the steep ridges on each side can create it's own small version of williwaws. The wind twists and gusts and shifts and roars. We tossed around pretty well but there is not enough fetch for any real trouble. I wish I had put out our anchor riding sail to dampen the motion. </p><p>On Saturday morning all was calm. We did the Stuart Island Grand Tour, to the lighthouse and another favorite spot. We had mostly sunny skies and it was a beautiful day. At the lighthouse the first of the around the County boats were starting to approach. Big 60 foot plus beasts with 10 crew as rail meat and just flying along. They were tacking right at the point, and we had court side seats! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMm9KTTSD1X_xv3pZI8YfzMTueiCZBNTt01jV_Cy7xdnA5jgYv0t1Qx8vWDOWZIUr3Y1-F6ke2wAESTYy_v7jE4B43mNzyqcSkvSKLvENDd7XT4LEVX_hneCT-gqqLi6kVBk8bJRLx8D0u__LT6nNJsHuHTE03hyrLjEOmL3bvlO6wa_it1LHvkonLyyuu/s4032/IMG_7326.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMm9KTTSD1X_xv3pZI8YfzMTueiCZBNTt01jV_Cy7xdnA5jgYv0t1Qx8vWDOWZIUr3Y1-F6ke2wAESTYy_v7jE4B43mNzyqcSkvSKLvENDd7XT4LEVX_hneCT-gqqLi6kVBk8bJRLx8D0u__LT6nNJsHuHTE03hyrLjEOmL3bvlO6wa_it1LHvkonLyyuu/s320/IMG_7326.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWsbVf03arZJa7kt861F49_4mjeNcpoD_E2uR5Aww95-cvwjkKrqqBJUswxUvoMKwyGZA-OuMBmEfctTrxQ4DbA-BtwLCKwidVv218zZB4dPioOAjAH2chEJl1ZcktURwdynOT32KithxV3iqpXKQWO7QfvNvacIITZL5QM8o0qy2w_MTIDL7Zgn1JRwkn/s4032/IMG_7336.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWsbVf03arZJa7kt861F49_4mjeNcpoD_E2uR5Aww95-cvwjkKrqqBJUswxUvoMKwyGZA-OuMBmEfctTrxQ4DbA-BtwLCKwidVv218zZB4dPioOAjAH2chEJl1ZcktURwdynOT32KithxV3iqpXKQWO7QfvNvacIITZL5QM8o0qy2w_MTIDL7Zgn1JRwkn/s320/IMG_7336.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>At our other location we had a birds eye view of the race, now the slower boats of more modest sizes. I counted over 40 boats along the Stuart shoreline heading toward Roche Harbor and the end of the first day race. There is no more beautiful site in all of Washington State or the PNW than that from this spot. </p><p>Another quiet evening with a 78 degree cozy warm boat due to our Cubic Mini. </p><p>On Sunday we headed back and Spieden Channel was in fine form. The deer and goats were on Stuart, eating the green grass of winter. The sea lions were in the water and more than 20 were on the point. There were harbor seals, and porpoises. There were Harlequin Ducks. It's the most fecund and biologically rich marine area in the Salish Sea, and we go all over. The joy and peace and resonance of these wildlife encounters up there fill us with feelings of completion. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjklL-9e06OMGYg-ZSgKyq3JYOY5gG7mm4YeTn9foXgWebEgFxl9mKCSQLMZXhsJT6SxXB_xg-RQtC5e5A4I5nCV6RuyQoig2wTHD-FxHnXX4PLFDTMvkwlnBs5VEpCKlKpuWhZN39W9cCQoJMuslNGu6vtoOn6hrvpngKiLBjRsjuU-PLiGUurmTNSoY9D/s4032/IMG_7353.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjklL-9e06OMGYg-ZSgKyq3JYOY5gG7mm4YeTn9foXgWebEgFxl9mKCSQLMZXhsJT6SxXB_xg-RQtC5e5A4I5nCV6RuyQoig2wTHD-FxHnXX4PLFDTMvkwlnBs5VEpCKlKpuWhZN39W9cCQoJMuslNGu6vtoOn6hrvpngKiLBjRsjuU-PLiGUurmTNSoY9D/s320/IMG_7353.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A small fraction of those in my view</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip4USLdGlVp7sS7D8hNonIffvyNdxMBzNmIhssaDUu9BgIpQMmUleQJS2ny77brc9cHhfwE1qXaBuMrf7MzFBRN04bgoevVqrzP8oX6_6XocWn1JXVFsMRRPMMGQf9T5mfrmU2Jn2qkpDakhwdtIr0gktn5EJOWuYpm4X9t4yhl9avKbUuOX5qr0W_M3u6/s4032/IMG_7357.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip4USLdGlVp7sS7D8hNonIffvyNdxMBzNmIhssaDUu9BgIpQMmUleQJS2ny77brc9cHhfwE1qXaBuMrf7MzFBRN04bgoevVqrzP8oX6_6XocWn1JXVFsMRRPMMGQf9T5mfrmU2Jn2qkpDakhwdtIr0gktn5EJOWuYpm4X9t4yhl9avKbUuOX5qr0W_M3u6/s320/IMG_7357.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Those are sea lions</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>Only a few days and a few hours north of Friday Harbor, and yet a time warp aboard our Space Ship. The Good Ship Aeolus. </p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3895969154537909556.post-43112999935226453112023-11-04T19:08:00.001-07:002023-11-04T19:08:15.678-07:00Adjusted valves and new chartplotter<p> It had been a while and was time to adjust the valves on the 5432. An easy and straightforward job. I found three of the four exhaust valves tighter than .005 and put them all back to .008 or so. The tolerance is .007 to .009. After doing this, I don't know how it can be that related, the engine runs a good 10 degrees cooler. Really obvious difference. Having tight valves will heat up the valves and head a bit as the exhaust gases will get up around there more, but 10 degrees? I've been running about 175 with my 175 thermostat, and now after doing nothing else to the engine it is sitting at 165. </p><p>Anyway, I also went to an Axiom + charplotter to replace our trust old Raymarine hybrid touch. I made this change in order to get the latest Navionics maps and operating speed of the faster unit. I've come to love the Navionics app on my phone, and having the chartplotter be the same map is great. The only drawback that is a head scratcher is why they don't make the Axiom + with any knobs. No knobs. Wet cold screens will not be easy to control. My plan when this is trouble is to rely on my phone mounted inside the pilothouse. </p><p>Went to Jones Island this past weekend to do boat maintenance in an exotic location. Will be back aboard next weekend for the long weekend and probably go to Stuart, which we love in winter and have to ourselves. Will be loving our Cubic Mini heater and just got the water heater attachment for it to enable dual purpose use and more tea! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXDWespFuk_XgO6RdeVDbvxmRwCpTLXQFaWaBve_vKcH-hKLtTKSwEEWkx8H5tkBCNClg7bmPvZSqrPXALQpapvDPM8qt4_oDSx3kT-gQytEtHajQWwgHBiOqpyUi52xTskcIe11Evq9q6c-GZapyQ25caJUzjI2jKoeH2muMUTxe6vQsn8NWOm0TkqOZQ/s4032/72022572537__DD0EE51B-0A5D-483F-B0A5-1519B44F8EA7.fullsizerender.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXDWespFuk_XgO6RdeVDbvxmRwCpTLXQFaWaBve_vKcH-hKLtTKSwEEWkx8H5tkBCNClg7bmPvZSqrPXALQpapvDPM8qt4_oDSx3kT-gQytEtHajQWwgHBiOqpyUi52xTskcIe11Evq9q6c-GZapyQ25caJUzjI2jKoeH2muMUTxe6vQsn8NWOm0TkqOZQ/s320/72022572537__DD0EE51B-0A5D-483F-B0A5-1519B44F8EA7.fullsizerender.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO76jH354GSoIX0gBCLUuivtV_DUt-ozRWZSJKliU1OAINvw6mPxOLhATNu6UXvFSLFTymx1L1JlQT0ZX9hNrwSEr99ViVdSd_3MQk9YeseYfhhdgp0mLyqy8mHEccft-iQaimvXcvr8HFknhLgYQt79ft5DQgejrnKfgf8fG4a30ZKzDWHf0FFkoTTmkd/s10120/IMG_7282.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3882" data-original-width="10120" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO76jH354GSoIX0gBCLUuivtV_DUt-ozRWZSJKliU1OAINvw6mPxOLhATNu6UXvFSLFTymx1L1JlQT0ZX9hNrwSEr99ViVdSd_3MQk9YeseYfhhdgp0mLyqy8mHEccft-iQaimvXcvr8HFknhLgYQt79ft5DQgejrnKfgf8fG4a30ZKzDWHf0FFkoTTmkd/w543-h208/IMG_7282.jpeg" width="543" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh Jones, your moods and smells and sights are divine</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3895969154537909556.post-78804404207784806762023-10-22T20:48:00.000-07:002023-10-22T20:48:10.563-07:00An ode to stainless welding wire on boats<p> For many years I've kept a bundle of stainless welding wire on Aeolus to use as locking mechanisms for the turnbuckles instead of rings or other contrivances. But honestly, I find them just as useful as long stiff bits of steel to do other things. I've installed a new chartplotter on Aeolus, an Axiom +, and this required snaking new wires down the binnacle to the power connection. Because of the obstructions and holes and many obstacles, it is impossible to just let gravity do the trick. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh410RULYLlTYGY2JbdXfNOIVln8V1DTmYbkKWfeqTwCB7OKJgsqOyJhacAof3ZIUVfgl5qh2EQAAfsyNQ0EdW7AN0lzcmlT1KH_6fYfZDGnLNzVs4PLwH12YnTKgFlqjCicnoo8SykHDo83w35r21bMXBXlEZSP9diiK4KdFFx5W2dKBV03ecNwtWtCBi2/s4032/IMG_7249.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh410RULYLlTYGY2JbdXfNOIVln8V1DTmYbkKWfeqTwCB7OKJgsqOyJhacAof3ZIUVfgl5qh2EQAAfsyNQ0EdW7AN0lzcmlT1KH_6fYfZDGnLNzVs4PLwH12YnTKgFlqjCicnoo8SykHDo83w35r21bMXBXlEZSP9diiK4KdFFx5W2dKBV03ecNwtWtCBi2/s320/IMG_7249.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stainless welding wire</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>This is where the welding wire does the job perfectly. I can just tape the wiring harness to the welding wire, and then pull it down the route I need it to go. On this job, I actually had to tape two of the wires together since it was a longer distance than one of them. The job would be either impossible or a serious pain in the ass without this welding wire. With it, it's easy and fast. </p><p>Takes up no space, and is there when needed. Love the stuff. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3895969154537909556.post-52591057082473369472023-09-04T18:09:00.004-07:002023-09-04T18:09:58.617-07:00Desolation Sound 2023<p> We've returned from our first trip to Desolation Sound since pre-COVID and the wait only made it more fantastic. We had both our boys with us, grown men now, and their choice to join us and be all together made it extra special. We traveled about 450 miles all told, from Friday Harbor as far north as Quadra Island and all around West Redonda and environs. </p><p>This summer had little smoke, we are glad to say. Temps were generally warm and plenty of sunshine. And most noticeably, we had the most benign winds of any trip we've ever been on up there. Both crossings of the Straits of Georgia were in calm winds or less than 15 knots with us. </p><p>To travel the immensity of the Straits of Georgia, so much larger and expansive and more wondrous than tiny Puget Sound, is to feel enormously small. And once up to the northern reaches of it, the maze of islands that tower out of the sea overwhelms your senses. </p><p>We swam every day, in ocean and lakes, jumped off cliffs of all sizes. A highlight of this trip was that all of us mustered the courage to do backflips off the rail of Aeolus! Only the boys could execute a full rotation, but we all threw our heads backwards and did our best. </p><p>Highlights: </p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>A huge pod of white sided dolphins came all the way into Tenedos Bay and were jumping like popcorn. Sometimes they would jump together. Just amazing to see so up close. </li><li>Humpback whales all over the place</li><li>Newton Lake, Hague Lake, Lake Unwin, Cassel Lake-how we love you all. </li><li>Walsh Cove and her many delights and jumps. </li><li>Laura Cove and the rope swing. </li><li>Family time and togetherness! </li></ul><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ch5sA4Wah9k6vChXRM0VJGQ7YJo_oGES3Xfj7-tgAqgM8LOXfGp4Un9OSaxiALNhiAVQCWycFkutrBimW_tj7ZT-LmfqV9YoUQ4iEv2e9WV-fQm3fTHhohsyLNn09fZepGrp8CMgnITaBc17IZSN_5DIOnUGkfnChR9cIFp7wxftytJla8ml6VSNPu35/s4032/IMG_6930.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ch5sA4Wah9k6vChXRM0VJGQ7YJo_oGES3Xfj7-tgAqgM8LOXfGp4Un9OSaxiALNhiAVQCWycFkutrBimW_tj7ZT-LmfqV9YoUQ4iEv2e9WV-fQm3fTHhohsyLNn09fZepGrp8CMgnITaBc17IZSN_5DIOnUGkfnChR9cIFp7wxftytJla8ml6VSNPu35/w400-h300/IMG_6930.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our world in my hand</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3895969154537909556.post-20556857699884799212023-07-04T21:38:00.000-07:002023-07-04T21:38:02.728-07:00Blown out of Tumbo and West to more paradise<p> For the long 4th weekend we like to celebrate our freedoms and independence by traveling! We got away to Canada for only the second time since COVID prohibitions and it felt truly magical. We had intended to spend the entire time at Tumbo/Cabbage since it is our favorite spot, and all started off well. </p><p>We left Friday Harbor with the flood and made good time all the way to the tip of Saturna and through Boundary Pass. Calm seas and blue skies. Just sublime. All the textures of the Salish Sea delight those who choose to focus. Sky, water and islands all conspire to inspire. </p><p>We grabbed a ball in Reef Harbor as there were many boats, and little Cabbage was full of campers. We noted it wasn't too full, but since we are normally here virtually alone, and this was Canada Day on July 1st, it was remarkably busy. We went to Cabbage and enjoyed our walk around, marveling at the many sights and textures. I keep coming back to the word textures because that was what occupied my attention so much on this trip. I kept being enthralled by the textures of everything, and no I wasn't on ecstasy or shrooms. Just so many incredible textures. </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht8xV6rzLCRuMO2gbC6VyHoTR7s1V0H6nd6HIF761X8MABKAwBlETUYjmMP7TYmzPiA1SJjkwrGT1wm3J7se76k1UDGXSHvRH-PHB_syRxTzUaTcNxWLZUVd3_lWHwm9lEnzw-M02xs8c8spsR5tMlOyhiugR53qtkG8s6QyhzyhIXanORJsMcv5Q6mhu-/s4032/IMG_6730.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht8xV6rzLCRuMO2gbC6VyHoTR7s1V0H6nd6HIF761X8MABKAwBlETUYjmMP7TYmzPiA1SJjkwrGT1wm3J7se76k1UDGXSHvRH-PHB_syRxTzUaTcNxWLZUVd3_lWHwm9lEnzw-M02xs8c8spsR5tMlOyhiugR53qtkG8s6QyhzyhIXanORJsMcv5Q6mhu-/s320/IMG_6730.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Approaching the tip of Saturna</td></tr></tbody></table>That night the forecast said NW 20-30 South of Nanaimo. For those familiar with the local weather patterns, it if often the case that what happens up near Nanaimo does not make it down as far south as Tumbo. This forecast area is in my opinion too large. It encompasses the entire Gulf Islands, and anyone who knows anything knows the weather of the Gulf Islands is nothing like what happens out in the Straits. So we went to bed a bit concerned but not too alarmed, as Reef is open to the full fetch of NW winds. </p><p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYjlBmd3omwRWClMOkuRVjhkMniFo1VOo9tbKSovmS0cj9jlc3xrttys2LyuPmwvNSz61jhtX43kaGzud8TzPOJ3tL4qfCkb8kqDaSwDASU2Zlm6MU2xofvm9o-a_s9g6S5IgZPmAL1NDaEJdURdQOf59lVetOgYO-t5965XvWAlzuYjZ8pe0_S7FRcCsm/s4032/IMG_6734.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYjlBmd3omwRWClMOkuRVjhkMniFo1VOo9tbKSovmS0cj9jlc3xrttys2LyuPmwvNSz61jhtX43kaGzud8TzPOJ3tL4qfCkb8kqDaSwDASU2Zlm6MU2xofvm9o-a_s9g6S5IgZPmAL1NDaEJdURdQOf59lVetOgYO-t5965XvWAlzuYjZ8pe0_S7FRcCsm/s320/IMG_6734.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On July 1 before the night and wind on Cabbage</td></tr></tbody></table>Amy woke me up at 12:20am saying "Brian, are we OK?" Any day that begins at midnight with that question is certain to be dramatic. I woke to the sound of crashing waves and our own boat galloping up and down at the buoy. Oh crap. I got dressed enough to go out and add a second back up line to the line we had on the buoy, and this required some creative use of our grabber tool to thread the second line through the buoy ring in the surging and bouncing seas that were 3-4 feet in the Harbor. I managed this, and then went inside and laid there unsleeping past 1am, 2am, 3am, 4am and upon dawn near 5am, I got up and looked around. I was met with the most remarkable sight in Reef Harbor. We've spent countless nights and weeks in that anchorage at all times of year, but this time was unique. The entire anchorage was a lee shore to these giant waves coming down the Straits and waves were breaking on all sides. <br /></p><p>It took no time at all to realize we couldn't stay, but had few good options. We could have fought our way out and turned south with the seas and tried to shelter at the bottom of Tumbo, but then you are stuck. We decided instead to fight our way all the way north to Georgeson Passage to get to Winter Cove. </p><p>Those who follow this blog know we go out in all seasons and conditions. Aeolus is a truly stout vessel. But what greeted us at the mouth of Reef Harbor was as ugly as you'd ever like to see. Small sets of 3-4 foot waves and larger sets of 6-9 feet. We would never go more than 3 knots and at times, slowed to less than 1 knot. Those kind of conditions. At the helm, it's one hand on the wheel and one hand gripped on the steering pedestal. We were headed more or less 15 degrees of so off the main NW direction of the seas, and this usually helped. A few of the bigger monsters had us rise up into the sky and plunge down into the trough so deeply that the next close wave buried the bow of Aeolus in green water. That's very rare but happens. But we chugged along. </p><p>Somehow Amy and Owen didn't feed the fishes. We made our way in the agonizing slowness of such voyages, slowly gaining ground and getting toward shelter. After more than an hour of alarming conditions and some really nasty moments of being tossed around like rag dolls, we ever so slowly got into the lee of the islets near Boat Passage and gained some protection. </p><p>Nothing is as sweet in this life as having such adventures of living to tell the tale with no harm done. We enjoyed a very fast 8-9 knot ride down Georgeson with the ebbing current, and found Winter Cove still packed from all the July 1 boats. We grabbed a great spot in the dead calm anchorage, and were quick to give each other warm hugs of love and glee. </p><p>We enjoyed Saturna and Winter Cove immensely, such a lovely spot. The Boat Passage area and frisbee in the field. Good times. </p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAYa5DbjgpEDm14q60246wzUeIeLxInIcKd25bCEFSeO6os095azV0wTBZfxef5PAeNDEzcvaynWcoMe3qTaoM4GlcrAe-ymntTjBSfgX9-BnWUpPj1bfJfLcU65iMXTHhls-hkr8o-Iw5IEwiHF69vSAVXXMkxn8r9c2TcgiGRQsJ7-JXZxSb0lIh7uQU/s4032/IMG_6738.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAYa5DbjgpEDm14q60246wzUeIeLxInIcKd25bCEFSeO6os095azV0wTBZfxef5PAeNDEzcvaynWcoMe3qTaoM4GlcrAe-ymntTjBSfgX9-BnWUpPj1bfJfLcU65iMXTHhls-hkr8o-Iw5IEwiHF69vSAVXXMkxn8r9c2TcgiGRQsJ7-JXZxSb0lIh7uQU/s320/IMG_6738.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boat Passage/Winter Cove</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>We left the next day and went to Portland Island and Princess Bay and had a fantastic hike around wonderful Portland Island. Princess Bay is quite shallow and thick with kelp, so you may have trouble getting your anchor to set. We had to set ours twice and never ever have to do that with our Mantus. Portland has no deer and the flora is quite lush for this reason. Lots of birds. Amy swam quite a bit, and I jumped in too. Owen too. He also paddle boarded our inflatable to the nearby islets and reported they were thick with oystercatchers. </p><p>Coming back today we timed it perfectly. The ebb is huge right now and was 6+ knots in Spieden Channel, so we waited as long as we could to head to Friday Harbor knowing the ebb would sometimes help, and hurt. The main slowing is as you approach Spieden from Haro Strait and along Stuart. Spent a long time here doing 3 knots. Once to Spieden you hug the shore like a kayaker and the eddy moves you along at +2 your boat speed. We did 8 knots along the whole length. Then you ferry angle your little buns off to cross between Spieden and Limestone point, making no progress but moving laterally. Once south and clear of Limestone you eventually get helped by the ebb again and go back to 8 knots down San Juan Channel. I'm proud to say we left Portland at 9:30 am as intended, and were tied to our slip in Friday Harbor at 1:11 pm just 11 minutes off my 1pm plan. We caught the 1:55 ferry back to Anacortes. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnUxRyqHfxu9Gi6Fxu2_rBcuB_GiX0EuhP7z3xgrb6H-SI_qbPOX8cT562WDOVpBlXRmasw6RtaplNfokGgUfI7HDicdJXjmmncnm9FYT99AVtQQ_lzAzXuXFZLgaw9B8speYdCis1GwBjx4d6rX1OvnhfMF6l7cAUSqbL3Q_NJGvn6UcKYkTuzqTBAdT8/s4032/IMG_6752.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnUxRyqHfxu9Gi6Fxu2_rBcuB_GiX0EuhP7z3xgrb6H-SI_qbPOX8cT562WDOVpBlXRmasw6RtaplNfokGgUfI7HDicdJXjmmncnm9FYT99AVtQQ_lzAzXuXFZLgaw9B8speYdCis1GwBjx4d6rX1OvnhfMF6l7cAUSqbL3Q_NJGvn6UcKYkTuzqTBAdT8/s320/IMG_6752.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Princess Cove/Portland Island</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiwfY3wNSBGZLB5Ri73euMFio-uE-fzM8JrsoeueGubmMbEo5gnF7DYJ5qYsDinsQ74ra_k8u5vQJTwohE0SYWcbNJ4bH1mA8799u3ksOlM-AYwQ__XBcfS_1si2vDTf_cxjT3xO8iLvLip1ENuy-7zGX4qyK8iQs5Ff2BjQ8iDgWR57OjdbZLgm426ljW/s4032/IMG_6758.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiwfY3wNSBGZLB5Ri73euMFio-uE-fzM8JrsoeueGubmMbEo5gnF7DYJ5qYsDinsQ74ra_k8u5vQJTwohE0SYWcbNJ4bH1mA8799u3ksOlM-AYwQ__XBcfS_1si2vDTf_cxjT3xO8iLvLip1ENuy-7zGX4qyK8iQs5Ff2BjQ8iDgWR57OjdbZLgm426ljW/s320/IMG_6758.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Northern tip of Portland</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>Trips like this are the most inspirational, refreshing, invigorating and calibrating things. They remind you of all you are, and what matters to you. My family is the best, and we are so fortunate to share in these travels. </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3895969154537909556.post-45371653610865241732023-04-09T17:28:00.003-07:002023-04-09T17:28:40.566-07:00A stormy jaunt<p> It is wisely said that the most dangerous thing on a boat...is a calendar. The truth being that if you can travel based on the forecast and not on the calendar you can avoid a very large percentage of troubles at sea. Being weekend warriors, more or less, until we retire, we still boat too much by the calendar. </p><p>This weekend we got aboard Aeolus despite the SE 25-35 forecast and headed to Jones and the north cove. Leaving Friday Harbor around 1:30 pm was in the midst of the ebb, flowing against that SE wind, so the seas were quite choppy. About as choppy as they get in San Juan Channel. Winds were 35-40 at Smith Island. But once you turn out of Friday Harbor it's on your stern and we rolled our way easily north to Jones. Seas were maybe 3-4 feet at most. We went ashore and walked over to the south side to stretch our legs, and by the time we returned to Aeolus, the sun was trying to break through. We ended up having some nice time in the cockpit with the sun streaming nicely. </p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmLS2BKQUPH_Bz-S1Vgh6CIoThu_FBNqwe0U9dBoBsSXw9MaY43a7J-ULo-PEP-5e7DpBMEYdcQVdODnKCZM553qTkZ7nY_XMobE470EVOmvXfYlDRBh5upRqlr4W8gdY6zSalIARbYJT3nET0G26z9s-TMI1U6ZJON3VuyNSheB7iTkMPtomuaFJB4w/s4032/IMG_6286.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmLS2BKQUPH_Bz-S1Vgh6CIoThu_FBNqwe0U9dBoBsSXw9MaY43a7J-ULo-PEP-5e7DpBMEYdcQVdODnKCZM553qTkZ7nY_XMobE470EVOmvXfYlDRBh5upRqlr4W8gdY6zSalIARbYJT3nET0G26z9s-TMI1U6ZJON3VuyNSheB7iTkMPtomuaFJB4w/s320/IMG_6286.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This rock formation in the north cove is so spectacular. <br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>Instead of staying the night, like always, we actually headed back to Friday Harbor a few hours later since we were eager to see one of our sons back home, who had just returned from a backpacking trip, and the forecast was for more storms and rain Sunday morning again against the ebb. By leaving that evening, we had flood going with the ebb. </p><p>What a difference those few hours made! Seas were practically calm, despite the wind remaining stiff. Never ceases to amaze the difference current has on wave behavior. </p><p>An out and back. You might think this would be too short to be satisfying, yet it isn't. Just being out is such a washing clean of the civilized life. We got to see an old friend that night in Friday Harbor, a town so greatly reduced in options compared to a few years ago. </p><p>Aeolus is in fine shape and we had a great little voyage. Anxious for our return to Desolation Sound this summer! </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3895969154537909556.post-73757347947596956822023-02-21T09:36:00.005-08:002023-02-21T09:36:50.273-08:00President's Day weekend escape<p> Forecast high winds kept us from hopping over to Victoria so we stayed close to home and our sheltered waters in San Juan Channel and returned to Jones. It was a lovely and benign weekend. Didn't get to the anchorage on the north side until darkness. It was about nautical twilight when we pulled in and it was a strange experience to anchor there without light. No problem. </p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKo8oJDshXiCdeHbc-xpQ2J9xhX-TbTEalG_sEEAzB9zV_eD-X54Qbmott5bzSSy8ko1AR5c4d8Rd_LRnAnwDaKDAr48UGfMEClMceUV-5svuAr3hFtDBax4z1MC6WlwNRleplIW1VcYLt3t1V20TJn3NhKVtvnSRGJXYhsDwS0BKpotxIQgE6keJUNg/s4032/IMG_6111.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKo8oJDshXiCdeHbc-xpQ2J9xhX-TbTEalG_sEEAzB9zV_eD-X54Qbmott5bzSSy8ko1AR5c4d8Rd_LRnAnwDaKDAr48UGfMEClMceUV-5svuAr3hFtDBax4z1MC6WlwNRleplIW1VcYLt3t1V20TJn3NhKVtvnSRGJXYhsDwS0BKpotxIQgE6keJUNg/s320/IMG_6111.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a sunset scene looking north from Jones</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Sunday we enjoyed hiking all around, playing frisbee and climbing trees. Being feral. </p><p>The Cubic Mini stove continues to delight us. It keeps the cabin 70-75F when it is 35-40 outside. Using highly compressed sawdust logs without wax is our approach. You can get them here in the Salish Sea from a local company. Incredible energy density. </p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuLJu6nv7QWwf7VCo8B50qyBUPRvFsG-1Xd7WVk2TttEl4s4624p-ERYnGRai8Z7w3KD5MtwgpMoBZrUzEr_bnn3MtTb1gkWMudut6R0xQ5WraQbbRb_3-K4KsOo_5S9uTzcIccLihQ2-DYFM-4ufwA9_7eJsX6Asbpkj67W61zseIuG6I3xyD70QSuw/s4032/IMG_6114.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuLJu6nv7QWwf7VCo8B50qyBUPRvFsG-1Xd7WVk2TttEl4s4624p-ERYnGRai8Z7w3KD5MtwgpMoBZrUzEr_bnn3MtTb1gkWMudut6R0xQ5WraQbbRb_3-K4KsOo_5S9uTzcIccLihQ2-DYFM-4ufwA9_7eJsX6Asbpkj67W61zseIuG6I3xyD70QSuw/s320/IMG_6114.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where's Waldo?</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmY65uye6GBWFnbUF4D-fsPk_9sKQ7O_xRKGOktpAACZPcBbmBOYW3oCpRUOecVJsyixvRzo_18WZypf7Q0eG59DmhdIHYDK73pUPMO48xpvbDhcJPW1Ul86XTzFGA--ihL19t0C8-rIsW1OY5iMh1gdBx5FgDPxjBIEC4jWKR1TG-FO1Bu1MGLiSCYA/s4032/IMG_6116.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmY65uye6GBWFnbUF4D-fsPk_9sKQ7O_xRKGOktpAACZPcBbmBOYW3oCpRUOecVJsyixvRzo_18WZypf7Q0eG59DmhdIHYDK73pUPMO48xpvbDhcJPW1Ul86XTzFGA--ihL19t0C8-rIsW1OY5iMh1gdBx5FgDPxjBIEC4jWKR1TG-FO1Bu1MGLiSCYA/s320/IMG_6116.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">East side</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>Played some cribbage, remembering how. Reading books. Sleep from 9-8. Boat time. </p><p>Aeolus is in fine shape. Clean prop and bottom. Just changed the oil. Filled up with Renewable diesel I go down to PDX to acquire in 5 gallon buckets. She's in good shape and getting ready for a return to Desolation Sound this summer. Can't wait! </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3895969154537909556.post-15468368309469594882023-01-24T20:52:00.000-08:002023-01-24T20:52:00.632-08:00Lovely MLK adventures-Unbelievable Orca/Sea Lion experience<p> Went out with the boys this weekend and first visited Stuart, going to the Prevost side to make for a quicker trip to Sucia the next day. All was easy and normal and stunning and breathtaking on the way there. Once there, we went out to the lighthouse. Before even reaching the lighthouse, Elliott exclaimed "Orcas!!!". We ran down, and what we witnessed next was the most incredible display I've ever seen in the Salish Sea in all my years. </p><p>For over an hour, a pod of Biggs Orcas were keeping two and then six big male sea lions hemmed in close to shore. The Orcas were busily spyhopping, tail slapping, calling out in both a squeek and a groan, rolling over one another, and generally doing everything their bodies are capable of doing, while tracking the sea lions and not letting them escape. This went on forever, as we sat right above them watching the whole drama play out beneath us. </p><p>There are no words...and this is but the smallest, poorest little video of the experience: </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxxEimU50F8NkFlF37MfPQzLgGF6L3rHIV0tGYencMTx0-8hYCH1_ykLxrPSCKCrVI_7W77oAICSFqIBRiiew' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The next day we went to Sucia and explored the lovely sandstone coastline and caves. Lovely in winter. A nightmare in summer. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On Monday the forecast had changed from SE 10 knots to SE 20-30. Leaving Sucia going back anywhere exposes you to SE winds. We had a good SE 20-25 on Monday morning, but the fetch was limited enough that we saw no more than 2-3 foot waves. Then we got into the lee of Orcas and had a smooth trip back to FH. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A lovely adventurous weekend, filled with all the good food, games and fun of playing in wild places. We will never forget the drama of the Orcas and sea lions on this trip. </div><br /><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3895969154537909556.post-43253810036144308802022-11-27T16:28:00.003-08:002022-11-27T16:29:28.162-08:00Going and coming delightful, in between a bit rough<p>As any who frequent my blog know, we are frequent visitors to Jones Island and have been for over 15 years now. It's a go to spot anytime outside of summer, and is rather perfectly positioned and laid out to avoid the prevailing winds in either the south or north facing coves. For obvious reasons, the south cove is rarely used for more than a night in winter since our storms are predominately southern winds. However, the biggest winds and by far the most fetch lies to the N. Be ware any mariner who anchors in the north cove without a good eye to the forecast in winter. </p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjatc-ptcCsB5C7Q6Z28EosbYsAzaI2ZDmW8khLdchMW-4h_4cs6CQFBsEs4ub4iYGSXYQscd61htDlUQHwTFukzb-YeOj6W8XtrcaR4vFCmzqGix_sOUep79FyV2vPCvQUX0Env7tlLBhkLBp9WfBSPpbk3TBTVJtQ6Z9HvlXC1Xd6edk2F0LPnOF1Kg/s4032/89D787D0-E6DD-4626-A9F9-848E581A69CB.heic" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjatc-ptcCsB5C7Q6Z28EosbYsAzaI2ZDmW8khLdchMW-4h_4cs6CQFBsEs4ub4iYGSXYQscd61htDlUQHwTFukzb-YeOj6W8XtrcaR4vFCmzqGix_sOUep79FyV2vPCvQUX0Env7tlLBhkLBp9WfBSPpbk3TBTVJtQ6Z9HvlXC1Xd6edk2F0LPnOF1Kg/s320/89D787D0-E6DD-4626-A9F9-848E581A69CB.heic" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is it just me? </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p>On this long weekend we went to Jones and had a delightful time as always. We had both our boys and Elliott's buddy James, who is like family too. Our journey there aboard Aeolus on Friday was smooth and calm, no rain, despite it having poured rain the entire drive up from Olympia. Classic island rain shadow. Forecasts were for winds building Saturday night to 25-35 SW to W. So we went to the North Cove. On Friday afternoon we were greeted by a dramatic skyline and direct sunshine, rewarding our efforts to get to the islands. </p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaoFjMEkdoNyfn6e1YBnVqG29rAWhKM9qiIof1JFRsbqKtlPp-unuIStAdo3DWfwPQyOdjhL0lMVDeOIuSSYajyN6lLxoq-Wl32doLntYZRoeWyW7__yLVvhSye2q1tDuOT4XMdr4t4X_5mldLDOhIvmHPYTsYW1PM49sZ-0B2FFlR5oFUUrg3BeE9hA/s4032/0DF4B190-AC99-47C8-B1C7-63494437798D.heic" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaoFjMEkdoNyfn6e1YBnVqG29rAWhKM9qiIof1JFRsbqKtlPp-unuIStAdo3DWfwPQyOdjhL0lMVDeOIuSSYajyN6lLxoq-Wl32doLntYZRoeWyW7__yLVvhSye2q1tDuOT4XMdr4t4X_5mldLDOhIvmHPYTsYW1PM49sZ-0B2FFlR5oFUUrg3BeE9hA/s320/0DF4B190-AC99-47C8-B1C7-63494437798D.heic" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just go</td></tr></tbody></table>On Saturday it dawned cloudy and remained that way, with winds building through the day. Not a peep on the boat until 9:30am, a remarkable thing for students and employees who are normally up and at it far earlier. We had grand adventures on Jones, going cross country to new unseen places and discovering hidden spots off the trails. One of the many joys of Jones is that the entire island is State Park, allowing free wandering. And not too big so you really can't get lost or go wrong far, since any direction will take you to the trail that circles the island. <p></p><p>Forecast called for strongest winds after midnight on Saturday night. Sure enough. We were asleep and dead to the world when I was awakened at 1:30 am by strong gusts hitting the boat. From where we were in the North Cove, we were fully protected from all SW and even W winds, with nothing more than eddies and wrap around gusts possible, no fetch. But what I woke to was a determined N to NW wind. Trouble! I got up and checked the latest wind speeds at nearby locations and forecasts. As is often the case when low pressure systems approach the Salish Sea, the winds in the Straights of Georgia will be N or NW, and in Puget Sound, S or SE. Hope you know why as I don't have time and energy to explain it here. But it's true. </p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCEgwj_55fE09j-vCzKQIhHWleCKVlv4HQxHXRQZpm4Xg7u63-w314NhTwF9a4Cbg2uqN9o3kZZgrorjBsoTf7aoxyhOAjZmOz7cILb9pqPaCBHZ-JfnCJElJd9ZRUsd4O21-oaSwVmNmlM2w9FL-lsx2d1OPtKcjE2N2ZJ6Yb5fj4R-YvGwoxCThbrQ/s4032/77966B1A-7C46-464B-BB31-5E09E423D615.heic" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCEgwj_55fE09j-vCzKQIhHWleCKVlv4HQxHXRQZpm4Xg7u63-w314NhTwF9a4Cbg2uqN9o3kZZgrorjBsoTf7aoxyhOAjZmOz7cILb9pqPaCBHZ-JfnCJElJd9ZRUsd4O21-oaSwVmNmlM2w9FL-lsx2d1OPtKcjE2N2ZJ6Yb5fj4R-YvGwoxCThbrQ/s320/77966B1A-7C46-464B-BB31-5E09E423D615.heic" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Warming a father's heart</td></tr></tbody></table><br />So in this situation, we were getting the southernmost push of the Straights of Georgia NW winds for a while. Seas were building, and if it had continued, I was about to raise anchor and depart as that northern cove on Jones is a notorious lee shore in those winds. Nasty, nasty place to be when the Fraser River outflow is happening. <p></p><p>Fortunately, and mysteriously, those strong NW winds just stopped. As the front moved through, the wind shifted back to W and then dissipated altogether. We didn't have to move, and got back to sleep. </p><p>Our Mantus anchor never disappoints. Our still new Cubic Mini wood stove is such a delight. The cabin is 75 degrees and dry! We've been burning compressed sawdust logs that work well. Not the type with wax, duraflame, but the kind without wax you can buy at hardware stores made locally here in Western WA. </p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHWVJsZcD8_6vMeDVAmuDUB-u_FKervvt91KR_FaR8YV1cjLNqt-7UEPopiSZxcMuh0_h-SXLxbIGSkMPO3904eF1bVn_y0U6GTpDYzdfBTQNrZb8CLhDvRUOxzou9avEUHWehM8O9QGHc6wBFI51icFnKwrUPgjznJ7_7UQ0FtPryNu3bjKVtVEmfag/s4032/1884C6AC-9DCA-481B-886D-F83BC0E95A8A.heic" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHWVJsZcD8_6vMeDVAmuDUB-u_FKervvt91KR_FaR8YV1cjLNqt-7UEPopiSZxcMuh0_h-SXLxbIGSkMPO3904eF1bVn_y0U6GTpDYzdfBTQNrZb8CLhDvRUOxzou9avEUHWehM8O9QGHc6wBFI51icFnKwrUPgjznJ7_7UQ0FtPryNu3bjKVtVEmfag/s320/1884C6AC-9DCA-481B-886D-F83BC0E95A8A.heic" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look closely and you'll see Elliott<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Amy had us eating like kings with Thanksgiving leftovers (OH MY GOSH that stuffing and turkey!) and we played cards and read books all night long. Elliott swam back to Aeolus on Saturday, a full 90 meters by my estimation, in 42 degree air and water. That man has mental strength. Even after that long journey, he went further and just swarm around the boat and explored. So impressed by him.</p><p>Our trip back to Friday Harbor Sunday morning was glass calm and sunny. Just gorgeous. Going and coming were calm and sunny. In between, a storm. </p><p>Aeolus, our space ship. We love you. <br /></p><p> </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3895969154537909556.post-85031001807226996812022-11-13T16:50:00.001-08:002022-11-13T16:54:02.912-08:00Thank you Veteran's-A grateful escapeFreedom, liberty, democracy, justice, all remain rare in the world, and though we have fought too many wars without good cause, and engaged in no end of foreign interference to the great suffering of many, we remain a nation of better potential and hope than most, and I'm grateful for the role veteran's past and present played in making the United States a possibility. Now, let's get to the work of perfecting our union so that this version of a nation of the people, by the people, and for the people, does not perish from the Earth. <div><br /></div><div>With this in mind, we traveled the Salish Sea this weekend and had a perfectly normal incredible time. The skies were grey on Friday, but clear after that. Warm sun greeted us Saturday morning on Jones. There are no words to express our deep love for these trips. We feel so far away, so refreshed, so connected to each other and what is important. No distractions. A wild feeling. <div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOu8j9VaVndoF0re8dUP_5MsvNQJfbXBV1XGKYqYwOnWtr8pkNxe5qXej-NN0KYFeCD0796aEHgIoylgaAoXw7FLKhXc4xrxFwUvb5OpAZfvKSV0HRhaJdw1OVyl4rR_d_OIP95vi0rTajvCO-Q1mvhW95pOuoIqIn1KCHfwKhQ-UidsUk9LGw-4SKnA/s4032/5B7F319E-D623-40AE-B57E-9A014C4B7AB4.heic" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOu8j9VaVndoF0re8dUP_5MsvNQJfbXBV1XGKYqYwOnWtr8pkNxe5qXej-NN0KYFeCD0796aEHgIoylgaAoXw7FLKhXc4xrxFwUvb5OpAZfvKSV0HRhaJdw1OVyl4rR_d_OIP95vi0rTajvCO-Q1mvhW95pOuoIqIn1KCHfwKhQ-UidsUk9LGw-4SKnA/s320/5B7F319E-D623-40AE-B57E-9A014C4B7AB4.heic" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Jones Island view</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div>Jones. Stuart. </div><div><br /></div><div>We saw Orca's in San Juan Channel from Jones. We had all the usual seals and sea lions and surf scoters and kingfishers and terns and...lichens and moss and ferns...and cedars and firs and maples and yews.
Aeolus is our space ship, and she is so stout. </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPe68CBsNFJcAMyWmD4EibVrqrzRDLYyLVy03XBFjI0tF-NxqYPBtkNSp8Sy1dXri4MiVnynfjUazPMBuaNgOqxGbNPAMp_0Oif2KwQHzEo1SLuA9BktnEOQ8eXCNp1v4R7nH_MSEZ11IuL-AvpFI0ehCGMOTY5a1gAzUCgT3YKlqQlEQQoF2hzHa7tQ/s4032/FD24FA2B-35AC-490E-A1F9-C1DF6E1774EB.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPe68CBsNFJcAMyWmD4EibVrqrzRDLYyLVy03XBFjI0tF-NxqYPBtkNSp8Sy1dXri4MiVnynfjUazPMBuaNgOqxGbNPAMp_0Oif2KwQHzEo1SLuA9BktnEOQ8eXCNp1v4R7nH_MSEZ11IuL-AvpFI0ehCGMOTY5a1gAzUCgT3YKlqQlEQQoF2hzHa7tQ/s320/FD24FA2B-35AC-490E-A1F9-C1DF6E1774EB.heic" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3895969154537909556.post-77410840123961051282022-10-10T20:21:00.000-07:002022-10-10T20:21:11.267-07:00Time for Haul Out<p>Now that Jensens Shipyard allows you to work on your own boat, I was able to haul out in Friday Harbor for my every two year time. I was lucky this weekend in October turned out to be sunny and nice, which is a real hazard of planning haul outs in the PNW outside of July and August. Yet in July and August you'd like to be using your boat! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjshG1wOghM5jnuuwN2kxMP8zpXpMJYJQ-vKwQTzglQJ65fsURYacbJxdx-c6N_WRrJkfsqGFrxMDk_pE6GB8SvsYg0LEdkCdTlxlxcgtVNXA6sihIdhURQnKt4XBK3tMw1h5kB9LmX9lzqPeQI16zDax6Uh6LfZTiTqr4HDf1Z8Z0mrBIdNWvoA8C0HQ/s4032/2080F9FC-EDA3-4422-9D10-C2DF6C1E6018.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjshG1wOghM5jnuuwN2kxMP8zpXpMJYJQ-vKwQTzglQJ65fsURYacbJxdx-c6N_WRrJkfsqGFrxMDk_pE6GB8SvsYg0LEdkCdTlxlxcgtVNXA6sihIdhURQnKt4XBK3tMw1h5kB9LmX9lzqPeQI16zDax6Uh6LfZTiTqr4HDf1Z8Z0mrBIdNWvoA8C0HQ/s320/2080F9FC-EDA3-4422-9D10-C2DF6C1E6018.heic" width="240" /></a></div><p>For this trip I did bottom paint, prop clean and treat, and the hull stripe. </p><p>For bottom paint I learned that the PCA Gold Ablative I've been using for many years does not ablate that much in two years. Last haul out I got clever and painted one coat of red, and then topped it with a blue, so I could learn at the next haul out whether one or two coats was necessary. Turned out, all I could still see was blue paint in all areas except for around the prop and rudder in a few small spots. So this time, I only coated with one coat of paint to not accumulate unnecessary layers. I've found PCA Gold from West Marine, which is a rebranded Petit Paint, to never have hard growth and to do quite well. </p><p>For the prop I was similarly impressed with my last treatment with Petit Zinc Prop Coat Spray. It lasted two years and had only a couple barnacles. For this time, I learned that they recommend top coating the zinc spray with HydroCoat Eco, a non-copper based antifouling paint. So I did that. The only color of HydroCoat Eco that comes in quart sizes was black, so I now have a black propeller. Odd, but I suppose I will spot barnacles more easily. It should work even better than just the Zinc Spray, and time will tell. </p><p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4jD98yXQf6tnyZ0rM-qjRR5TmlIBVzJabPY01uFLraklU4FzH7LN_FdyrfxzrzYg9hCFKdAQnwvbD4hjn9LDF-17k3s1SyqIaZbehEHC7ZXf6LIHziUEN-UbqVR0psNUEPdpV9r3YaAoUa984xpYrHNMN3o5yapEOdrwkEBEX1rYrPiMHFawe0-kOpA/s4032/7094A1E7-6B57-4C1A-A244-5DE1370976DF.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4jD98yXQf6tnyZ0rM-qjRR5TmlIBVzJabPY01uFLraklU4FzH7LN_FdyrfxzrzYg9hCFKdAQnwvbD4hjn9LDF-17k3s1SyqIaZbehEHC7ZXf6LIHziUEN-UbqVR0psNUEPdpV9r3YaAoUa984xpYrHNMN3o5yapEOdrwkEBEX1rYrPiMHFawe0-kOpA/s320/7094A1E7-6B57-4C1A-A244-5DE1370976DF.heic" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Use aluminum anodes now since they last much better <br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>The biggest job was the hull stripe. It had been a good many years since I last painted it and it had grown dull and worn out. To do this, it takes many steps. Per Don Casey recommendations, I use two-part polyurethane for a more durable finish. You first have to wipe the whole thing well with a solvent, in my case with Interlux 202N. Then, you sand the whole area with 220. Then you wipe the whole thing again to remove the sanding residue. Then, you can tape! Well those steps alone took about 4 hours. </p><p>It was getting late in the day and so I had to postpone painting until Sunday. Fortunately Aeolus only needed one coat of the paint, as I was painting blue on blue. There is an enormous amount of skill to using two part polyurethane, beyond knowing the roll and tip method. The right amount of thinner is key. I'm happy with the results on Aeolus and yet recognize it is only 90% of perfect. There are things I could have done to have it be nicer, but the time/benefit ratio was not good. We don't race or show Aeolus, and I've always cared way more about her mechanical integrity than her appearance. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgINKwcIOBAG4KR6m0f_G_KP9qRn9N1lL9Zq50ZIyn4a_KWb9GauicQL9OYSS0-bW6Ydvd8iWIpVHeBbtq6WsFEOg1KVk2gDBdvkeeRnUDNoaVMJVTkFmCvwuiKRWQxITSW_f-yHxr-EmuPRwpoUaz7rMiIQImAFu7uWeimFUOztNRTIsh_0SV2q1vDiw/s4032/AF5FE8E0-F99A-4672-99BE-662D2711E51B.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgINKwcIOBAG4KR6m0f_G_KP9qRn9N1lL9Zq50ZIyn4a_KWb9GauicQL9OYSS0-bW6Ydvd8iWIpVHeBbtq6WsFEOg1KVk2gDBdvkeeRnUDNoaVMJVTkFmCvwuiKRWQxITSW_f-yHxr-EmuPRwpoUaz7rMiIQImAFu7uWeimFUOztNRTIsh_0SV2q1vDiw/s320/AF5FE8E0-F99A-4672-99BE-662D2711E51B.heic" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good enough! <br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>A great weekend in the islands and lovely to be working at Jensen's again. The Port crew had a heck of a time hauling Aeolus out of the water, but they were careful and finally figured out what old timers know about hauling a full keel boat like Aeolus. <br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3895969154537909556.post-24088876900590053672022-08-18T13:41:00.002-07:002022-08-18T13:41:36.031-07:00New Spreader Boots and Boom topping lift<p> It was time to replace my spreader boots and the old ones literally fell apart in my hands when I touched them. It's a bit of a pain to get the new ones on as they are just at my arms reach, even with the mast steps. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7D6ZR3jJzE-ExP0pYm7TK73PI7gzRtNQGYqQrDMV9-pniVQYFBgNMXNkW2NGpeZhsjXooe9rxB5OwML9kbcdhfNCbCynwhADIkKBD6ozd1dJUYLRA4PX5SMH_TIFYqVRJfP3WEQvdLnnDED5TvSJQWC440uUFWlZ_yZNH1kEEQehiv-x2syz-tB3Tng/s4032/IMG_5169.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7D6ZR3jJzE-ExP0pYm7TK73PI7gzRtNQGYqQrDMV9-pniVQYFBgNMXNkW2NGpeZhsjXooe9rxB5OwML9kbcdhfNCbCynwhADIkKBD6ozd1dJUYLRA4PX5SMH_TIFYqVRJfP3WEQvdLnnDED5TvSJQWC440uUFWlZ_yZNH1kEEQehiv-x2syz-tB3Tng/s320/IMG_5169.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice and new<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p>Also replaced the boom topping lift out of an abundance of caution. The prior dyneema lift was almost 15 years old so I replaced it. Cheap and easy. New dyneema line and an excuse to go up the mast. </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3895969154537909556.post-40614061218082037202022-08-18T13:36:00.006-07:002022-08-18T13:36:52.662-07:00The short so long<p> A weekend get away is so short, and as I've said many times here, can feel so wonderfully long. Amy and I got away to Stuart Island for a mere weekend. We had calm winds and lovely weather and so motored up to Prevost Harbor for a bit more of an "away" feel than Reid. It was perfect. </p><p>We dropped away from the crowd near the County Dock and walked out to the Tun Pt. Lighthouse on Saturday. Always a treat. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiNF8JepFkyhs1kUkmUljvPQ-UABdh9Bgs7ig-m7nytSNeMywbxmkCkXC-aPXfzQ9PKTuP05dZdkbENMTQuNv_kAxq7snr0jwAifg5tDlB6ndCKOUM6Us3xucrhNM8EiMwjRmMV7U_taTKQ5WLyQ09CNwJvyAAf1Gte1A4ASCbBVIbrcALeJ5d5Uixkw/s4032/IMG_5163.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiNF8JepFkyhs1kUkmUljvPQ-UABdh9Bgs7ig-m7nytSNeMywbxmkCkXC-aPXfzQ9PKTuP05dZdkbENMTQuNv_kAxq7snr0jwAifg5tDlB6ndCKOUM6Us3xucrhNM8EiMwjRmMV7U_taTKQ5WLyQ09CNwJvyAAf1Gte1A4ASCbBVIbrcALeJ5d5Uixkw/s320/IMG_5163.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This beautiful beast crossed our path--what a sight<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Worth noting for any new to traveling these waters that there is a lot of local knowledge involved when it comes to the precise actions of the currents. Especially around Spieden Island. You have to give it a wide berth to avoid getting stuck in very powerful currents if there is either a strong ebb or flood, depending on which direction you are going. In our case, in summer, it is ebbing during the day and so we had to avoid Spieden as we headed north since it has a fast current trying to flush you out to Haro Straits. Doing this little avoidance, you can then get help along the shores of Stuart and Satellite, as the ebb is forced to turn north here to go around Turn Point. On this particular journey, I was able to average a pretty solid 5.X knots overall. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ4J1ec2tbLxjxSrFQy-iB9awGnJdaIXTZFqXFFCxX0dgMmOeooD06g3nrvfo9I1bJ8hYCLOX3azxCg3aM8NasCjxWCGusv6MmrUOqnowmqNxHGMoaWtmhatT5vkYdm1m__tDlFb7qdor5O7Xxv47hfaTnrlJWnrEHPRZ1UNIunvNU2VUzbzeFCeEdvA/s4032/IMG_5168.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ4J1ec2tbLxjxSrFQy-iB9awGnJdaIXTZFqXFFCxX0dgMmOeooD06g3nrvfo9I1bJ8hYCLOX3azxCg3aM8NasCjxWCGusv6MmrUOqnowmqNxHGMoaWtmhatT5vkYdm1m__tDlFb7qdor5O7Xxv47hfaTnrlJWnrEHPRZ1UNIunvNU2VUzbzeFCeEdvA/s320/IMG_5168.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoSoZgECdAbI33k_gpDkJw82JjlWpwycUVwx2O6-ztdhzHf_BC14C24l1iz-b0vxc2U2vJ3_eOTTsbV9K31N6h8Z7XxhpqnEisA-tid5qRjZP0GfBSfl-14d9rJ75g_E6KY8va6ZJ4VG2AJf1mz46tEBcEIOaCjPwT247QNz1w3MX4asqNEofa5bBAAg/s4032/IMG_5174.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoSoZgECdAbI33k_gpDkJw82JjlWpwycUVwx2O6-ztdhzHf_BC14C24l1iz-b0vxc2U2vJ3_eOTTsbV9K31N6h8Z7XxhpqnEisA-tid5qRjZP0GfBSfl-14d9rJ75g_E6KY8va6ZJ4VG2AJf1mz46tEBcEIOaCjPwT247QNz1w3MX4asqNEofa5bBAAg/s320/IMG_5174.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turn Point area<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJ5qlj_zdu9GplyhtNKtMxYTk_ipvy3_cEYXMVi8k6IRc3jNnMM0qtbq0B_ZsKmYWWiFqkmUC6ujrPYKWB9Apzb4wUEX6HGm5gK8-8e6qWaftKOfM_SnNiLfKamElAdvaUOaZSOYp5JEq2yDo6W9BMge7TwHokbhNzvTiFvGcjNs0fOihPxGLTPLyhg/s4032/IMG_5176.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJ5qlj_zdu9GplyhtNKtMxYTk_ipvy3_cEYXMVi8k6IRc3jNnMM0qtbq0B_ZsKmYWWiFqkmUC6ujrPYKWB9Apzb4wUEX6HGm5gK8-8e6qWaftKOfM_SnNiLfKamElAdvaUOaZSOYp5JEq2yDo6W9BMge7TwHokbhNzvTiFvGcjNs0fOihPxGLTPLyhg/s320/IMG_5176.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Such a gorgeous thing to behold<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOhCmgf4_G7NUhUp01qDOBfbkvT0fPfH8_nV9X56KYDJvuysNXA80rbv8Jaj1EUk8GB7sOd1DoWRWbKamhZcptERvo_ft9Cm4FQBo--fES2Tgcq7buq9VyLCMDW3ixekZwYzbL6GeRyOQ66EY2coPq3gLlE88PQO9oUl7adp0-3Znq3vZa6gVFFgdg5w/s4032/IMG_5180.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOhCmgf4_G7NUhUp01qDOBfbkvT0fPfH8_nV9X56KYDJvuysNXA80rbv8Jaj1EUk8GB7sOd1DoWRWbKamhZcptERvo_ft9Cm4FQBo--fES2Tgcq7buq9VyLCMDW3ixekZwYzbL6GeRyOQ66EY2coPq3gLlE88PQO9oUl7adp0-3Znq3vZa6gVFFgdg5w/s320/IMG_5180.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morning visitors! Three species of Swallows-Violet Green, Cliff and Barn were all present on our lifelines. <br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOv0BwmKIYChDuO6uq50ctcLl3h9vkOqa0wGpa3zeGhvZ6iypf3fvqfkfS8euX0740MLF62Fee-_o8mY-ywj-jVTVmitjd7vCSdIqKzYg4cJar5fTwxGzlv8iuIRN7sBaA0w0S2xoHna0mBWlqPaBNPks5Ro-VRRokRnoAERu6HjMuvLdWGYrS4sP95w/s4032/IMG_5185%202.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOv0BwmKIYChDuO6uq50ctcLl3h9vkOqa0wGpa3zeGhvZ6iypf3fvqfkfS8euX0740MLF62Fee-_o8mY-ywj-jVTVmitjd7vCSdIqKzYg4cJar5fTwxGzlv8iuIRN7sBaA0w0S2xoHna0mBWlqPaBNPks5Ro-VRRokRnoAERu6HjMuvLdWGYrS4sP95w/s320/IMG_5185%202.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What to say? <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>There is nothing like an escape up into the islands, as far north as you have time to go, to refresh and restore. </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3895969154537909556.post-69248164964502607822022-08-07T20:47:00.005-07:002022-08-07T20:47:47.424-07:00More little things<p> Was aboard this weekend to do a number of small projects, and over the years it's the small projects that add up to make a wonderfully safe and comfortable boat to journey aboard. One of the simplest and most important updates for our happiness was finally getting around to replacing the old cigarette lighter fixture on the electrical panel with a dedicated USB charging unit. For these many years, we've used a USB insert into the cigarette lighter unit and it consistently failed to maintain contact and would stop charging. </p><p>What a little thing! And yet, now we have two USB charging outlets on this unit and no more fiddling with the cigarette lighter connection. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRKRtYnQxU7fQSepuL04W26L7ORj5UyVyhTETLPyPtk8omK72UAa3JoUPW9ddn8eg2HSjFJ4mdkQiOqtabsOpU32PGmofGMEFzKMW21eYKsDAbRWcXDwrFU5eU59tccUfD1GZyy5H9Zw6HjoJQvKC3mh4F2iszNjnfDB-lCb_MD7vu_BLvqpb_4hiLng/s4032/DE1E0537-3B6D-49E4-97C1-2022D6E5E36E.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRKRtYnQxU7fQSepuL04W26L7ORj5UyVyhTETLPyPtk8omK72UAa3JoUPW9ddn8eg2HSjFJ4mdkQiOqtabsOpU32PGmofGMEFzKMW21eYKsDAbRWcXDwrFU5eU59tccUfD1GZyy5H9Zw6HjoJQvKC3mh4F2iszNjnfDB-lCb_MD7vu_BLvqpb_4hiLng/s320/DE1E0537-3B6D-49E4-97C1-2022D6E5E36E.heic" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">About time! <br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>I also: </p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Replaced all the fender lines with double braided, having used 3 strand forever. Much easier to work with! </li><li>Reinstalled Mantus anchor as I had taken it home to rezinc some areas that had chipped and become rusty. </li><li>Added distilled water to all 5 lead acid batteries aboard. Never, ever forget to do this on a regular basis. </li><li>Treated the dodger with waterproofing liquid. </li><li>Greased the port side Lewmar winch with Green Grease. </li><li>Cleaned the top sides. </li><li>Installed a new towel hook in the head to replace an old knob that once held the shower head that we have never and will never use. </li><li>Replaced the oil absorbing roll in the bilge. Old one wasn't too oily but just gets stinky and nasty with accumulated detritus that gravity takes down there. </li><li>Took the fire extinguisher home to get the annual recertification. </li></ul><div>I think I did a few other things, but this is enough to give you an idea of what I did in only one day. The life of a boat captain who does his own maintenance. </div><div><br /></div><div>Aeolus is in such great shape. I could literally throw some food aboard and leave for a Vancouver Island circumnavigation tomorrow, and believe me I'm tempted. </div><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3895969154537909556.post-468668810081490692022-06-05T09:41:00.000-07:002022-06-05T09:41:06.473-07:00Return to British Columbia! <p> We all know there is nothing like having something taken away to help you appreciate what you've lost. We certainly knew that British Columbia was our paradise, and yet when COVID shut the door it was deeply painful (no exaggeration) to be denied access. These two long years have gone by in a whirlwind of other challenges, fears and losses, made only worse by not being able to escape into the wilderness up north that so perfectly nourishes our souls. </p><p>All the waiting came to end over Memorial Day weekend. Amy and I did as we've done so very many times before, boarding the ferry to Friday Harbor, boarding Aeolus on Friday night, and then letting loose the lines on Saturday morning. </p><p><br /></p><p>One change right now is that the Nexus card system is paused on the Canadian side. What this means is that you can't simply call in. You have to physically go to a Customs place, in our case Bedwell, and call from there. It's a bit silly as you don't have to wait around to see if a Customs agent shows up. You get your clearance number and go. </p><p><br /></p><p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYtkbgnUpmsuoPM7bAYcOreQ5mdGBBmgrIEdBGmGGG7vFZrq9q1twdJpZ_TwIfc_DWa2WdXR2hNVNnT5nO1rhj53azEApKDYhS3U6IdpShzi1rWfjkAPqUNzHSwew0lnp6moCOhSIOBADj4A-D0k21Ph-qaD3v74bNVRZTz3M7xOPJnuNogfE4O_F1HA/s4032/D1C6D39F-2759-4FE5-89EC-71341214D2D5.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYtkbgnUpmsuoPM7bAYcOreQ5mdGBBmgrIEdBGmGGG7vFZrq9q1twdJpZ_TwIfc_DWa2WdXR2hNVNnT5nO1rhj53azEApKDYhS3U6IdpShzi1rWfjkAPqUNzHSwew0lnp6moCOhSIOBADj4A-D0k21Ph-qaD3v74bNVRZTz3M7xOPJnuNogfE4O_F1HA/s320/D1C6D39F-2759-4FE5-89EC-71341214D2D5.heic" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking north to Pender Islands and Canada</td></tr></tbody></table>We were on our way to...wait for it...where else...Tumbo! </p><p>Winds were forecasted to be 15-25 from the NW, which can blow right into Reef Harbor, but we wanted to be there so badly we took the chance. Our Mantus anchor and ground tackle are as good as it gets. On Saturday we get there, after a marvelous trip east through Boundary Pass along the BC shore side. Near East Point on Saturna, two humpback whales appear! This is why you go, folks. </p><p>On Tumbo and Cabbage, we felt elation. I could barely walk it was so beautiful and nourishing. Those islands...have something primal and ancient about them, besides not being developed. </p><p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO6G1ZGzK_ag1mNAa0i5oxE_r59xWffYDHZ7y1ighHgEATBCoOIw2rY-XYbsuHkhJa4PlxSTIQmOdmda1TDkjtwTAccLrbBvdhmg5h3OUPmX2QmIB5q1tx1NlqIq7ILS4FI-Y_Xq61xPcd2fMcRxAok81-97UA59pxw-B8VncgQtM7AD-hRPSMHO1Hig/s4032/D5517CF8-5FD8-4D74-A8A6-A502F5E68E9C.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO6G1ZGzK_ag1mNAa0i5oxE_r59xWffYDHZ7y1ighHgEATBCoOIw2rY-XYbsuHkhJa4PlxSTIQmOdmda1TDkjtwTAccLrbBvdhmg5h3OUPmX2QmIB5q1tx1NlqIq7ILS4FI-Y_Xq61xPcd2fMcRxAok81-97UA59pxw-B8VncgQtM7AD-hRPSMHO1Hig/s320/D5517CF8-5FD8-4D74-A8A6-A502F5E68E9C.heic" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cabbage Island</td></tr></tbody></table><br />A bit of a bouncy night, with swell rolling in to the anchorage, but nothing too bad. We certainly had no fear of dragging anchor, and were in no danger. The captain in me stays wakeful in such conditions, but for no good reason. The sunset that evening was as perfect as they always are on Tumbo. The sun sets right into the ocean over the Straits of Georgia. </p><p>Sunday dawned and we were off to Tumbo. Walked all around. Walked here and there. Basked in the glory of the wetland. Sat with a whole group of over 8 bald eagles at the south beach. Hung out with over 30 harbor seals hauled out at the point. Meandered among the birds. It was everything we loved and needed. We appreciated nothing that was not there, and the nothing that is. </p><p><br /></p><p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic3OqIqc5rSHQlyQNRTrAzgxnA3krutWKWP751ATXfLm4q_kYzW7vDL5N6vyyOuObg8UlJYZm2uF1prNg9kSffVkMFhg4br8HBV9MRENs8560nj9jUfQnwWMfttjNmLTqBEojZbFbz4cIa8MhYZSX0lQLLM_U4Pg6CPV_51VFOhK0L1K3TyBieiaZOKQ/s4032/F01D53E2-AC17-4E02-B3FE-CA7D7DE8A9E2.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic3OqIqc5rSHQlyQNRTrAzgxnA3krutWKWP751ATXfLm4q_kYzW7vDL5N6vyyOuObg8UlJYZm2uF1prNg9kSffVkMFhg4br8HBV9MRENs8560nj9jUfQnwWMfttjNmLTqBEojZbFbz4cIa8MhYZSX0lQLLM_U4Pg6CPV_51VFOhK0L1K3TyBieiaZOKQ/s320/F01D53E2-AC17-4E02-B3FE-CA7D7DE8A9E2.heic" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">South Tumbo, watching eagles<br /><br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Yet with more wind forecast, and a hunger to see more favorite places, we left Tumbo and went through Georgeson Passage against max flood to Winter Cove. In Georgeson, we slowed to 1 knot at times, but were able to make progress by playing eddies and having a strong motor and three blade prop. That passage is beautiful, and much more like passages up north than anything down in the San Juans. </p><p>Winter Cove is a hurricane hole, and we enjoyed the walk out to the point at Boat Passage and the quiet afternoon reading in the cockpit. A lovely place. </p><p>Monday we were away first thing under a heavy sky and rain. Damn currents are always against you no matter what in this area. We fought the ebb even heading south until we got all the way down to Jones Island. Going along Flat Top and by Waldron is always a treat. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwjx-mPYoqV6q1YrBvawnpmmL8Mp01yi_spxtO1lCmeo3Hkd7iRyBrrJw8WE0RmRNFVMV6LOm1aRJd9Tzt2aFt4dtuMW0x4bIXJxdDbkiC6-vy7oiUKQ7R5-zHVpdQPil7PH2RQnibh71nLIqfqB_Ybb0MrBjaeOpw2PDXX6fAWW9AGYsmSnL5jd5ODQ/s4032/B7577367-FBDA-4F30-BE4A-15ED77CC91B5.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwjx-mPYoqV6q1YrBvawnpmmL8Mp01yi_spxtO1lCmeo3Hkd7iRyBrrJw8WE0RmRNFVMV6LOm1aRJd9Tzt2aFt4dtuMW0x4bIXJxdDbkiC6-vy7oiUKQ7R5-zHVpdQPil7PH2RQnibh71nLIqfqB_Ybb0MrBjaeOpw2PDXX6fAWW9AGYsmSnL5jd5ODQ/s320/B7577367-FBDA-4F30-BE4A-15ED77CC91B5.heic" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Boundary Pass is such a vibrant zone for wildlife too. Always porpoises. Used to see Dall's porpoises there, but no more. Lots of pigeon guillemot's and probably some rhino auklets. Maybe even some marbled murrelet's as I've seen them in that area before. </p><p>It's 3 to 3.5 hours from Friday Harbor to Tumbo, and about 18 miles. You travel through time and space to a place far, far away, and a long, long time ago. <br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ruaal2SRehSEla24Bo_oXyoVaJupz28939jd4_6ELs1Xo3efaxRgK2seHRP8VnnFyTPfSjUSfiHiVQ5aW0u5GFihXiPKURqpMvuxQ7jtRHBMy6D2-ONSLFH_Qh0DQZWLZu1jyW9Xz-9pEjOKYZ6XMMrWYgOsx4YLIQe1isMR-vM_03Q48gn5N8TL9Q/s4032/9CFDD784-0D3B-4E64-B832-58097D3B0E1C.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ruaal2SRehSEla24Bo_oXyoVaJupz28939jd4_6ELs1Xo3efaxRgK2seHRP8VnnFyTPfSjUSfiHiVQ5aW0u5GFihXiPKURqpMvuxQ7jtRHBMy6D2-ONSLFH_Qh0DQZWLZu1jyW9Xz-9pEjOKYZ6XMMrWYgOsx4YLIQe1isMR-vM_03Q48gn5N8TL9Q/s320/9CFDD784-0D3B-4E64-B832-58097D3B0E1C.heic" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winter Cove, Boat Passage <br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3895969154537909556.post-81958036141227732442022-05-24T18:56:00.003-07:002022-05-24T18:56:58.933-07:00When you really need to go...<p> There reaches a point on my internal psychological thermometer when the needle points to red, and I simply have to go. No more staying. </p><p>And so I went. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM9jdtVwNQbCdN0UOYm_etZZLgr6pv0OIZQkaBiQhZ-UUGv29K5mg1wroGoIq0D5sS_PNFfh-_Ript7cSPjr3cpyPZoixr3A-pnBoKGh1u_yB_axvdRTX0qjejw0u80ycdnZG8SOWzhvycQHfXSHZqlrzFBryhfwX2rcb35hHdsjmyVTLJXNTKsbW23w/s4032/FEBE5D58-5291-4399-B0F1-618ED44700A6.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM9jdtVwNQbCdN0UOYm_etZZLgr6pv0OIZQkaBiQhZ-UUGv29K5mg1wroGoIq0D5sS_PNFfh-_Ript7cSPjr3cpyPZoixr3A-pnBoKGh1u_yB_axvdRTX0qjejw0u80ycdnZG8SOWzhvycQHfXSHZqlrzFBryhfwX2rcb35hHdsjmyVTLJXNTKsbW23w/s320/FEBE5D58-5291-4399-B0F1-618ED44700A6.heic" width="320" /></a></div><p>Riding my magical BMW S1000XR up to Anacortes, I boarded the ferry and was quickly enraptured with the sights and smells. The entire journey to the islands was a profound immersion in bliss. I stood on the bow and breathed deep the sunshine and salt air at 17 knots. Arriving in Friday Harbor, I was walking on air. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxs4OaBSAGX7MPv_sbh0sAGx7LsDwjUc9aTBdFIEZB3SkYi_tnGkpEoMILYm4ExhzZBjdE-blr5rIyo3LDtZK3tOshnPzKPlkydJBCTihynlX4oiaYlbx3XueyzVYv6VUHcil1qjA5Jei9jyb7lqhhm5QnYzbJ-uZia9y7jQzY5Rx0x-hRGRS0mj6VjQ/s4032/F017A5A5-3636-459D-A2FE-55E46211F230.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxs4OaBSAGX7MPv_sbh0sAGx7LsDwjUc9aTBdFIEZB3SkYi_tnGkpEoMILYm4ExhzZBjdE-blr5rIyo3LDtZK3tOshnPzKPlkydJBCTihynlX4oiaYlbx3XueyzVYv6VUHcil1qjA5Jei9jyb7lqhhm5QnYzbJ-uZia9y7jQzY5Rx0x-hRGRS0mj6VjQ/s320/F017A5A5-3636-459D-A2FE-55E46211F230.heic" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aeolus in her element</td></tr></tbody></table><p>I journeyed alone on Aeolus to Jones, where I communed with that perfect little island. I walked around the perimeter and felt each step sacred. You think I exaggerate, I don't. The aromatherapy of the northern Salish Sea is impossible to describe or replicate. The combination of salt air, plants of that mixture, and whatever else produces chemical scent is beyond comprehension yet sure to delight. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQDGvnFjT4sfgeyNzlq-aBpj9c6aENwz03Cn9PH3drc_UerA_XIRP8pe7TBJ8HG5bNv2Q-D7IJurUwTYvmRTCTi-0iTQ96Db8ud5j8ys-K3N0RCa4YYuulCmMgIva_HcPCPm88nQOazZPe43B9XxyXJmCy_VUpxb2qYKFQEv2SX81Mhf4qD0-hKroNA/s4032/6E7DF260-5D60-4F10-8036-2B9557B3522C.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQDGvnFjT4sfgeyNzlq-aBpj9c6aENwz03Cn9PH3drc_UerA_XIRP8pe7TBJ8HG5bNv2Q-D7IJurUwTYvmRTCTi-0iTQ96Db8ud5j8ys-K3N0RCa4YYuulCmMgIva_HcPCPm88nQOazZPe43B9XxyXJmCy_VUpxb2qYKFQEv2SX81Mhf4qD0-hKroNA/s320/6E7DF260-5D60-4F10-8036-2B9557B3522C.heic" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking toward Waldron</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>It's nothing I did, and everything I was able to do, in this place so deep for me. The sun shone. I walked, I rowed the dinghy. </p><p>I returned home on my two wheeled beast. </p><p>I needed this get away more than usual. My needle was on red with syphilization stir craziness. </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3895969154537909556.post-40209113404002336042022-02-21T16:45:00.002-08:002022-02-21T16:45:57.479-08:00Fetch is not your friend, but courage is! We flipped the switch and went to Aeolus this weekend despite the normal 1,000 reasons why we "shouldn't". It was a truly incredible trip, and we are just home and assessing what has been.
The weather had a little bit of everything. We went up Saturday afternoon to Friday Harbor and it was benign. Sunday dawned mostly clear and the day was perfect for February. Our journey to Stuart was a magic carpet ride as usual. So much wildlife in Spieden channel. Sea Lions, birds. Mostly sunny and highs pushing 50 in the sun but cold in the shade. We did a favorite hike once we got to Stuart and enjoyed an all around wondrous day. Owen brought a friend and they spent the entire day, until dark, romping around and exploring. There is nothing better for young men than a day of aimless exploring in wild places together. Stuart isn't fully wild, being mostly private property, but it's undeveloped enough and has park and land trust lands in places you can explore. The entire island was clear cut to fuel the kilns in Roche Harbor, but the second growth trees are gaining some stature. We played games all night, ate great food, and enjoyed the warm boat. <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiAl38d1YmecYLSWH81Vi2IXswnjHo9eLWsO9KYrYMmLWxYQBGfRUsuqv6nTaonrhJtNRIidEGPY_PXztQv_oKuTBOP8yl6nRXc8fDYl3kpxHGOj8hEzQsBCd_TpciJsYH3ybWHqz6DvGG2EtLkczAU3wkmpkMdNloGvYw-ijFV_0jGDnro8_XdP6UuEA=s4032" style="clear: left; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiAl38d1YmecYLSWH81Vi2IXswnjHo9eLWsO9KYrYMmLWxYQBGfRUsuqv6nTaonrhJtNRIidEGPY_PXztQv_oKuTBOP8yl6nRXc8fDYl3kpxHGOj8hEzQsBCd_TpciJsYH3ybWHqz6DvGG2EtLkczAU3wkmpkMdNloGvYw-ijFV_0jGDnro8_XdP6UuEA=s320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spieden never disappoints for interest, now if they would only sterilize all those damn sheep so the plant life could recover and flourish! <br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>
We used the new Cubic Mini all afternoon and it is such a game changer. So much heat out of that thing. And very little smoke with the compressed wood logs we use. Keeps the boat around 73 and it was a chilly 35-40 most of the later day and evening. <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_vQ1PqE6PH7ccCMeFIhAZrEWegeukj8ngH2EjDZ_ybti53Vh7u39sxc5YvP6jVFLeBFLMCbPKBKOgByhamBTe9MWSKTSkHxTkmkQxW5uU3B6fgWvEthhO12vlTczPp59K0KV_XS1wJxjtO-9Ugt3h9DX6-4viZXguY_VSgjJFmzs9ik9GyXSyUu9RBQ=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_vQ1PqE6PH7ccCMeFIhAZrEWegeukj8ngH2EjDZ_ybti53Vh7u39sxc5YvP6jVFLeBFLMCbPKBKOgByhamBTe9MWSKTSkHxTkmkQxW5uU3B6fgWvEthhO12vlTczPp59K0KV_XS1wJxjtO-9Ugt3h9DX6-4viZXguY_VSgjJFmzs9ik9GyXSyUu9RBQ=s320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We sit together, the mountain and me, until only the mountain remains<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />
Going back to Friday Harbor was festive this morning, as the wind was blowing 30-40 NE. <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6Lf7Gz_WTadG6vV1lDJPp3ur65LzmBcIvxMpbB1K4COVYKxO6HGeP_q9Y8XsyUo3xbpEepsGwqnASP34yDkpd0diL1tB1HKhnrQeWBWzV2Ef5oFMq2g-50hkVIxCVtDwzYE2UrrqoiIrpRj8Ekt8jYUKPHE74u2owPJbDtcVd4iaozl5lKHru018YtQ=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6Lf7Gz_WTadG6vV1lDJPp3ur65LzmBcIvxMpbB1K4COVYKxO6HGeP_q9Y8XsyUo3xbpEepsGwqnASP34yDkpd0diL1tB1HKhnrQeWBWzV2Ef5oFMq2g-50hkVIxCVtDwzYE2UrrqoiIrpRj8Ekt8jYUKPHE74u2owPJbDtcVd4iaozl5lKHru018YtQ=s320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cranking out the heat!</td></tr></tbody></table><br />You are sheltered along Spieden, but when you pop out to head down San Juan Channel you are exposed to the full fetch of President's Channel in those NE winds. It was a choppy 3-4 sea. Aeolus just smiles. She puts her shoulder down and just cruises along. Fetch is not your friend, but experience, preparation and the right vessel and these things are routine. People stayed away by the millions and once again, we didn't see a single other recreational boat out in the islands, despite us having such a lovely trip. <div><br /><div>When we got back to the actual Port of Friday Harbor, which takes two hours at 5-6 knots by the way, the NE wind was shouting straight into the Port. At the breakwater there was awesome CLAPOTIS! Both one of my favorite words, and things, on the planet. There were surf scoters hanging out in the maelstrom of random wave explosions. Once inside the breakwater, the problem is that wind was blowing straight down the fairway. I knew I had to maintain steerage while keeping my speed low. I used reverse throttle several times to bring myself to a dead stop, only to quickly get going again to try and stay between 2-3 knots. It was blowing a solid 35 down the fairway. I knew I had to get into the slip with a certain approach. <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifqsLVdPEYYLQEATc-rIc45w8sWgTjDtiQT-y_FWjZHfX0dva5g2-y4lonoM6v_CQG46JFwwM2_lVhM9FJTB-o62VYyGB1hCC2uC92Qci_lO3WMVkEURmM0_4oiEySbcSJO2f2XJgFt2uPKWhvtjeBD0l8NqFJy9wklmmO0GyRu2nM8zrQN3hXZrdM4g=s3088" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifqsLVdPEYYLQEATc-rIc45w8sWgTjDtiQT-y_FWjZHfX0dva5g2-y4lonoM6v_CQG46JFwwM2_lVhM9FJTB-o62VYyGB1hCC2uC92Qci_lO3WMVkEURmM0_4oiEySbcSJO2f2XJgFt2uPKWhvtjeBD0l8NqFJy9wklmmO0GyRu2nM8zrQN3hXZrdM4g=s320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The luckiest people on Earth</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Our family knows what to do. I entered the slip a bit early and at a much higher speed than normal. I must've been doing 3-4 knots. I had to maintain steerage. But right as maybe 1/4 of the boat was in the slip, and before we had calamity, I gave full throttle reverse just as Owen jumped off with lines. It was a thing of beauty. A helpful gentleman appeared as well and took a line. We never touched the dock or a damn thing. High fives all around. This is precisely why I always get starboard ties in FH, so you can come in hot in a stiff wind and not get pushed into your neighbor. </div></div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you Aeolus. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3895969154537909556.post-39854021828844829112022-02-15T20:38:00.002-08:002022-02-15T20:38:17.892-08:00Cubic Mini Grizzly installed--Wow! <p> Since we've had Aeolus, she has had a Force 10 kerosene heater that I have kept going and suffered through. It was obnoxiously loud, made the boat smell like kerosene, and put out only enough heat to slowly heat the boat about 30 degrees above outside temperature and so in the winter, to a tepid place. </p><p>While I have pursued endless other boat projects, I have fantasized about what I would replace that old Force 10 with many times. Finally, this winter, I read about the Cubic Mini stoves and found my answer. After considering a new kerosene stove from Dickinson, I decided to go the wood route since we cruise in the great wooded PNW. <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg7l3C7WDdKzD2aiW0qZXFNK9hnQzo9-Gqm8pK6QC2Cw7uL49CGS-dh-wGaiUDKP8Zvjy7V9xIDJ5iokd2aJYuyZP7JfKGAuRXe9CXcoX6ww3XXeMCTwRD2t2xPwHju3lDEM2sslyOzCWdpg5OIX55yhDBUxv8UPey7B1rdEiFl8Vy4bK8STIFXaGkghg=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg7l3C7WDdKzD2aiW0qZXFNK9hnQzo9-Gqm8pK6QC2Cw7uL49CGS-dh-wGaiUDKP8Zvjy7V9xIDJ5iokd2aJYuyZP7JfKGAuRXe9CXcoX6ww3XXeMCTwRD2t2xPwHju3lDEM2sslyOzCWdpg5OIX55yhDBUxv8UPey7B1rdEiFl8Vy4bK8STIFXaGkghg=s320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Grizzly. You can see the fiberglass blanket for heat protection. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p>This won't be a full installation story because honestly it was quite straightforward. You get all the equipment with your purchase and just have to make sure you have the proper amount of vent pipe and top cap you need. On Aeolus, since I already had a kerosene heater, I didn't have to do any changes to the deck hole or fittings since they were already of the specified size for the Cubic system. </p><p>On a Gulf 32, the best and only place if you have a dining table on the starboard side, is to mount it on the port bulkhead. The Cubic Mini instructions specify how much draft you need, but you will find that you can fudge this down a bit and do fine. The challenge is heat radiation, and rather than doing some major surgery to my cushions for fire hazard, I decided to purchase some fiberglass welding blanket and lay this over the cushion and have found it works great. The fiberglass blanket gets hot, but with a small air gap between it and the cushion, the cushion does not. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEidj3vR0HMH0-K_fSj_xWZf7RAsySRnSUpEgsxQ_PHm8DYQjqV9w49WbRfiwG_6eM9mMA5p5QvTyh0WTPN4_alYrs_mWBp1K4tUH6AsMKT5676c3yeY73rD2mz_4pci31aJEogiB3uDg-Jdy8-Xi5UxWuCyUJ9P4_pdBzqfmUmf1U5tvNWLKJ8OSWI52A=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEidj3vR0HMH0-K_fSj_xWZf7RAsySRnSUpEgsxQ_PHm8DYQjqV9w49WbRfiwG_6eM9mMA5p5QvTyh0WTPN4_alYrs_mWBp1K4tUH6AsMKT5676c3yeY73rD2mz_4pci31aJEogiB3uDg-Jdy8-Xi5UxWuCyUJ9P4_pdBzqfmUmf1U5tvNWLKJ8OSWI52A=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>I've been burning some local highly condensed wood sawdust logs that are made here in Western WA. They are super dense, and pack a lot of btu in their space. This is important since storing wood is an issue on a small boat. I am using two plastic bins with sealing lids to store the wood, and bought an empty paint can to store and transport the ashes. </p><p>Let me tell you, it is a transformation of the boat. It puts out so much heat that we actually talked about turning it down! We took our fleece off! We took our hats off! It was warm. Not only radiating warmth, but temperature warm. The boat was 76 degrees and felt like 86. It's a game changer. We've always sailed year round, and with special love of winter trips, but now, it will be so deeply comfortable that we will find even more joy in our journeys. Our winter swims will be easier to contemplate! And it is a dry heat. So deeply dry. The little thermoelectric fan does a great and nearly silent job of moving air around. I wish I had made this change years ago and thank Cubic Mini for making a solid and functional little heater! </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3895969154537909556.post-89254780745794055262022-02-15T20:15:00.004-08:002022-02-15T20:15:34.507-08:00Teenage boys and Jones<p> After too long, I finally stole a weekend away and had Owen and his friend along. There is nothing like a get away to the islands and the boat. The long journey is instantly rewarded once you arrive. The disconnection from syphilization does wonders. I've written repeatedly here on this boat blog about this necessary component of my life. </p><p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtSl7Bb5c6pZW9Gb4aj6RFEPaQhIsubMVBeh2TdjIOaLq87jjNJc4iwXE3UJmOMFJEsNgn5px4RfjASE27yeDpOyeUZrRYQjVT5IYpv7W-5li6JF4L7oQREX4YE0tS2iMeZRH-2Er2mo44EPaXigpLxXRC2b0COsi79eMULHdIWDnh_vhGItoCNMmxKg=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtSl7Bb5c6pZW9Gb4aj6RFEPaQhIsubMVBeh2TdjIOaLq87jjNJc4iwXE3UJmOMFJEsNgn5px4RfjASE27yeDpOyeUZrRYQjVT5IYpv7W-5li6JF4L7oQREX4YE0tS2iMeZRH-2Er2mo44EPaXigpLxXRC2b0COsi79eMULHdIWDnh_vhGItoCNMmxKg=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boys</td></tr></tbody></table>On this particular trip I had reason to reflect on how we have raised our boys on this boat, doing these trips, and letting them be feral. Even as teenagers, it is so deep in their bones, they just drop their phones and disappear into playful wild places. Amy and I met doing environmental education, and there has never been any doubt that getting your kids into wilderness as much as possible pays priceless dividends to their well being. <br /></p><p>This was a garden variety trip to Jones in winter. For us, routine. And yet, there was no one around. As usual. The island is wonderfully abandoned and wearing it's winter coat of fallen branches and trails hard to find from debris. But we know them blindfolded. </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYlStGpXvZyhdw3bfrrz799cE-p7k8aZUft7VDnV40PJIY3n2zsH3RNodoSwwlDCzPj-sNHF0hyMVWk9ebfyTVsifBD7fjUofAgcSuPXs273rQpYBbZ3aG0zzCGuB-uSMovQdX0CxYF7WDsJTmV9R3ZRZ1tkCV7gUO5Si4SpXDd8sdoFpvJw_5AQ68nQ=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYlStGpXvZyhdw3bfrrz799cE-p7k8aZUft7VDnV40PJIY3n2zsH3RNodoSwwlDCzPj-sNHF0hyMVWk9ebfyTVsifBD7fjUofAgcSuPXs273rQpYBbZ3aG0zzCGuB-uSMovQdX0CxYF7WDsJTmV9R3ZRZ1tkCV7gUO5Si4SpXDd8sdoFpvJw_5AQ68nQ=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sky and Sea</td></tr></tbody></table><br />The weather was benign. The boat performed flawlessly. The food was yummy, the conversation lovely, and the boat sleep as special as ever. </p><p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjqU-LcOBKQ69Y-qZeTzJ_qSq23FZFRnNOi_oeE4znB-_BhME6OAaeGsQmInpKIhXVGtRdLU5ybIfpFMWwFaO85727jo-yhNN1kGU9nykNqcP_7kNGQj9kndqDbotLOHTLd5om4yLcyoksnxv-Yw7QYD_ncFYxu1uo0ZvKp-Kq61rPAFxsCC7HEsBPs9A=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjqU-LcOBKQ69Y-qZeTzJ_qSq23FZFRnNOi_oeE4znB-_BhME6OAaeGsQmInpKIhXVGtRdLU5ybIfpFMWwFaO85727jo-yhNN1kGU9nykNqcP_7kNGQj9kndqDbotLOHTLd5om4yLcyoksnxv-Yw7QYD_ncFYxu1uo0ZvKp-Kq61rPAFxsCC7HEsBPs9A=s320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heaven on Earth-with Garry Oaks </td></tr></tbody></table><br />To Jones we go on the map. To bliss we go in our mindhearts. <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNbgxUuoBUEpSmb6HLq8pPqimw5aDV4r2x9puadG300x1D9c83JbBelibajg2QM1BtFNnEPmRwd7QUMuvKXnZ0D9Iry3HBUvAtWKdLBP5l4fcjrrsrwkVHeyu1J7fSbD8FrQcsmygn417t5f9oW5BZ3z4MtY5GpRMqlr8QvkYsW-KdR7e8-aojbGHq5w=s3088" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNbgxUuoBUEpSmb6HLq8pPqimw5aDV4r2x9puadG300x1D9c83JbBelibajg2QM1BtFNnEPmRwd7QUMuvKXnZ0D9Iry3HBUvAtWKdLBP5l4fcjrrsrwkVHeyu1J7fSbD8FrQcsmygn417t5f9oW5BZ3z4MtY5GpRMqlr8QvkYsW-KdR7e8-aojbGHq5w=s320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A happy me</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3895969154537909556.post-68448514321710882222021-11-28T20:51:00.001-08:002021-11-28T20:51:15.706-08:00Stuart...How we love you. <p>A winter trip to Stuart is just a perfect part of our lives. We love the journey there, along Spieden, and are so cozy in either Prevost or Reid. No one is there. We have the place to ourselves. In summer it routinely has 100 boats in Reid alone, and on this trip like all between November and February, you will have it to yourself. Forecast was for deluges of rain and wind, and it doesn't matter. Any well found boat can make it there as there is little fetch from the SE where the storms come from. </p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN68spsbn6wu1SkyWQplyo_OVIGm-LtRMQfA764NiAOWqohCdi8GrOuhKKvtt_Rfk4iEg6hJmZCmSNtX4YV4Nvck6ta_g_ZcOAqn4ytbsFU411ydIcb_Uy9ek_sCEgJ8gLoi6t_HS-8ZKU/s2048/CF075602-FF52-4896-A8A9-608A25B6F0C2.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN68spsbn6wu1SkyWQplyo_OVIGm-LtRMQfA764NiAOWqohCdi8GrOuhKKvtt_Rfk4iEg6hJmZCmSNtX4YV4Nvck6ta_g_ZcOAqn4ytbsFU411ydIcb_Uy9ek_sCEgJ8gLoi6t_HS-8ZKU/s320/CF075602-FF52-4896-A8A9-608A25B6F0C2.heic" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Voyaging north toward Spieden and Stuart</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>We went on Friday with our boys and a friend and came back Sunday, and in between had all manner of lovely adventures. We went up to our favorite mountain top, and walked out to the Lighthouse. It rained, yes, but winter Stuart has its own charms. Out at the Lighthouse we were not surprised to find a couple bald eagles hanging out. The waters off Turn Point are a cornucopia of food for all manner of critters. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge9U4X2mlV60D33Got39mslyiBgRovI46TYMP3kDu6zaZw77cHa4gQ9L5x8kL-ln9pMTNFVMX57gZe8aUCbt6Jk4EtLKR-m0tpr2msMp_aMP2bHf0SSpC4eu0eoxKQAUFU31JQUs3Hyh2l/s2048/18F053F8-270C-432C-89A3-230503F6F807.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge9U4X2mlV60D33Got39mslyiBgRovI46TYMP3kDu6zaZw77cHa4gQ9L5x8kL-ln9pMTNFVMX57gZe8aUCbt6Jk4EtLKR-m0tpr2msMp_aMP2bHf0SSpC4eu0eoxKQAUFU31JQUs3Hyh2l/s320/18F053F8-270C-432C-89A3-230503F6F807.heic" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Turn Point on the deck of the old home. </td></tr></tbody></table><p>Though the forecast was consistently 25-30, it never seemed to get above 10 anytime on the whole trip. Coming home down San Juan can be choppy in a true SE 20-30, but today there was hardly a wisp of wind despite that forecast. The heavy rain made the sky match the sea in color. Everything a grey. </p><p>Aeolus was warm and cozy for the gang. Food was delicious. Games were played. Books were read. Conversations had. Just a fantastic and therapeutic get away for all. </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3895969154537909556.post-84313573464817051552021-10-25T20:52:00.002-07:002021-10-25T20:52:19.194-07:00Forecast Gales? Time to Go! <p>Forecasts called for this epic low pressure system off our coast and the resulting winds. It became an all time record low for our area of something below 945 mb. But knowing Aeolus and the San Juan Islands as we do, there is really no forecast that keeps us in the marina. So I made hasty plans to head to the islands and managed to get my older son to join along. </p><p>We left Friday Harbor at around 1:30 on Saturday and there was enough SE wind to sail right up San Juan Channel under head sail only doing hull speed. Once up near the Wasp Islands I was even able to swerve through those passages under sail. But as we popped out past Yellow Island the wind died and we motored the rest of the way to the North Cove on Jones. Home away from home. </p><p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjazc8MPoIfshBk0YMXJOrVfbkQEnSW6LYlN2y4kPnQZWCVV3GFo4zbKrRQsY-pBs73AjDllMwnvcvifaJwKVeSemjSVIgMJSlqOocPotjS-_oV4nscm4ISq0WyJMxIFQO-Ktur7RePFb37/s2048/B4E39212-A179-4F98-BCE0-4725E6CEB27A.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjazc8MPoIfshBk0YMXJOrVfbkQEnSW6LYlN2y4kPnQZWCVV3GFo4zbKrRQsY-pBs73AjDllMwnvcvifaJwKVeSemjSVIgMJSlqOocPotjS-_oV4nscm4ISq0WyJMxIFQO-Ktur7RePFb37/s320/B4E39212-A179-4F98-BCE0-4725E6CEB27A.heic" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the way to Jones, a lovely sail</td></tr></tbody></table>To our surprise there was another boat there! The friendly person tried to tell us there was a storm coming and how to anchor, and I kindly let him know we knew the forecast and had been there many times before. He was on a ball and even had a stern line to the Eastern shore. On Aeolus, our Mantus doesn't drag. Period. </p><p>Anchored in about 25 feet of water near the middle of the cove shore, we were soon on land and loving every second of being back on Jones. We walked around the West side and even got some sun. Then we played some frisbee in the field and just felt immense gratitude. </p><p>The night was peaceful enough and as any captain knows, the sleep is light when storms are forecast. About 5am I woke to some waves entering the North Cove, which is rare. The forecasted E wind was actually a NE wind and yet was only 10-15 knots. Nothing to distress Aeolus! The morning forecast still called for E 15-25 building to SE 25-35. Anything up to 35 knots is really fine in San Juan Channel. You might have a bouncy go of it, but nothing dangerous to any well found boat. <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2nuvlHnI6Emu5Uq9LBbRSVQAFt_KK3yekSCmXLdfcKh1Q9M37HpCcIFj8IBMLf_XSre6QCpl_9ULsdcyWWqw0IcfYUU62O1lXjeEM9sJ3UXv8eTQJw_q0JvXzD5eDZ2Usz3jgrbT-V4hO/s2048/DD7C4B95-8712-415F-B85B-C5D17387472D.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2nuvlHnI6Emu5Uq9LBbRSVQAFt_KK3yekSCmXLdfcKh1Q9M37HpCcIFj8IBMLf_XSre6QCpl_9ULsdcyWWqw0IcfYUU62O1lXjeEM9sJ3UXv8eTQJw_q0JvXzD5eDZ2Usz3jgrbT-V4hO/s320/DD7C4B95-8712-415F-B85B-C5D17387472D.heic" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On Jones West Side. Just a magical place</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p>We went for a hike on Sunday morning, this time around the East side, and then headed out. Our trip back to Friday Harbor was easy in about 15-20 knots of SE wind. On the port quarter. </p><p>Nasty forecast? Just go. We had a wonderful time, and it never even rained on us. My motorcycle ride home was another story, with cross winds of 30-40! <br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9tQ19AKhYPbHZlNPv1pDn3KkIP0AfxavR2x_bICAXfQQxDdnGRgmXXCRabILYO0R15Gp3yhlFQ8dwQ7-oztmj7bYWgCW4P1WTUac-tNWAABRzIXf20EsLHneg-YobJb9tpjBXzTxospMQ/s2048/4047B5AF-33C8-45AD-A902-D95E32A5A6EB.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9tQ19AKhYPbHZlNPv1pDn3KkIP0AfxavR2x_bICAXfQQxDdnGRgmXXCRabILYO0R15Gp3yhlFQ8dwQ7-oztmj7bYWgCW4P1WTUac-tNWAABRzIXf20EsLHneg-YobJb9tpjBXzTxospMQ/s320/4047B5AF-33C8-45AD-A902-D95E32A5A6EB.heic" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View to North Cove and toward Canada</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3895969154537909556.post-13998018875849766962021-08-01T21:07:00.004-07:002021-08-01T21:07:46.939-07:00Aeolus back home to Friday Harbor! <p> We brought Aeolus down to the South Sound with us to explore the local area and for me to do some projects, and now that we have done both, it was time to take her back to her home waters up in the San Juan Islands. So this weekend I did the journey north over three days and what a journey it always is. </p><p>It is about 110 miles from Swantown to Friday Harbor. I've done it going south in two days, with favorable winds and currents, but this time took three days going north. You traverse the entire US portion of the Salish Sea, and there is something satisfying and dramatic about this journey. </p><p>On Day 1 I left Swantown at 5:50am to catch the slack and turn to ebb at Tacoma Narrows. It's quite a sight passing under those gigantic bridges. Going up Colvos Passage is pleasant, and then you pop out with views of Seattle. I stayed in Eagle Harbor that first night and saw family. I even ran into a former student in town that delighted me with stories of how my teaching had inspired them. </p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbJ3JrCYV8mS617ZyGOUI3TKiBaUjeBivI99sOoc32AymrBFjdFA70I3CmUIxW90Y6vXGJXGsai2OI-uSbKOWvbqNUwogMVq0lZSdPFrTt_Kzlk_oxJ6R5LJrvMJGpoM5HlRcrPa9d7ViZ/s2048/9A999D25-E1C0-4C2A-B39D-C7FAF626EB6E.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbJ3JrCYV8mS617ZyGOUI3TKiBaUjeBivI99sOoc32AymrBFjdFA70I3CmUIxW90Y6vXGJXGsai2OI-uSbKOWvbqNUwogMVq0lZSdPFrTt_Kzlk_oxJ6R5LJrvMJGpoM5HlRcrPa9d7ViZ/s320/9A999D25-E1C0-4C2A-B39D-C7FAF626EB6E.heic" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tacoma Narrows Bridges</td></tr></tbody></table><p>On Day 2 I was joined by a friend and based on the forecasted high winds in the Eastern Straits of Juan de Fuca we went inside Whidbey. On this day we journeyed from 8am to 7pm, dropping anchor at Hope Island near Deception Pass. Hope Island is a fairly large, forested island with some nice ancient forest trees. There are trails that cross the island and might go at least part way around. Despite having a lot of boats anchored nearby, it was quiet and lovely. </p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5odkFhegjR35WuIzdLmOwBYf28PGhiUwhUCmHkKAbiPgCrdcWMaajgDzxj61T9ziStdQBGQyyBwMs6x3YsJyGu77ilL0mtmK8LP21U4ZH0OPCffgKjmOWUC297KuoSGRQ7fN7XUd1Y_45/s2048/9BBF6FDD-AC96-465E-A6D4-BF491C655A38.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5odkFhegjR35WuIzdLmOwBYf28PGhiUwhUCmHkKAbiPgCrdcWMaajgDzxj61T9ziStdQBGQyyBwMs6x3YsJyGu77ilL0mtmK8LP21U4ZH0OPCffgKjmOWUC297KuoSGRQ7fN7XUd1Y_45/s320/9BBF6FDD-AC96-465E-A6D4-BF491C655A38.heic" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Doug Firs on Hope Island</td></tr></tbody></table><p>On Day 3 the slack at Deception Pass was at 11am turning to ebb, but the tidal changes were from the high low to the low high and currents were only peaking at 5 knots. We timed hitting the Pass about an hour before slack, judging it would have about 3 knots of current opposing us. Sure enough, we slowed to about 2.5 knots going through and it was as dramatically beautiful as always. I've fought stronger currents near Spieden Island and of course up in BC like Dodd Narrows. When you emerge from Deception Pass the landscape just outside is ruggedly majestic. High dry bluffs and rocky headlands that are more like what you get up in BC than down south here. It's quite a sight. The area outside Deception Island was lumpy from all the passing boats and groundswell from the Straits, but there was no wind and we did hull speed anyway. We left Hope Island at 9:30am and were tied up in our new slip in Friday Harbor by 2pm. </p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAgE0rvL14PsQ35FejUmZawaZmVVUL5hDzWtGA6j5rOpmYhVHolultiQXLk8Qo1gKRo0FblIoQYdCLyDG3JuYzG5oEgoPhU3sOEEEE2qRrLGuUFyN83LvulH-mO7oEU12ENusM4rKU5byQ/s2048/55F1328A-F8D4-4141-AB25-827B8FFE4EF5.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAgE0rvL14PsQ35FejUmZawaZmVVUL5hDzWtGA6j5rOpmYhVHolultiQXLk8Qo1gKRo0FblIoQYdCLyDG3JuYzG5oEgoPhU3sOEEEE2qRrLGuUFyN83LvulH-mO7oEU12ENusM4rKU5byQ/s320/55F1328A-F8D4-4141-AB25-827B8FFE4EF5.heic" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bridge was cloaked for painting</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>Overall a smooth, easy and beautiful voyage. </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3895969154537909556.post-76464111142832925742021-07-16T22:36:00.002-07:002021-07-16T22:36:28.534-07:00Worth the trouble to get Renewable Diesel for Aeolus<p>Since learning about and swapping to Renewable Diesel about a year ago, I'm fully sold. I'd been running blends of biodiesel since we got Aeolus in 2006, and liked the added lubricity and smell. But biodiesel does not do well in boats that sit, as it is highly hygroscopic (water absorbing from the atmosphere) and doesn't much like cold weather, and has slightly less power than dino diesel. Along came Renewable Diesel and it's a dream. </p><p>Able to be made from about any carbon source, like food scrap, wood or whatever, like biodiesel the carbon and environmental benefits depend in good part on the feed stock being used. There are no current suppliers of Renewable Diesel in WA state, to my chagrin. But down in Oregon they are using it and Carson Fuels has had it at their cardlock location. For reasons that are not clear, they do not have it at their cardlock location anymore. But they have it in stock. </p><p>So I went down with a truck and picked up a 55 gallon drum of it and can siphon that into my numerous 5 gallon fuel containers for transfer to the boat. The hassle of going to Portland and all the schlepping is worth it since the fuel is that much better. </p><p>Renewable diesel is not hygroscopic, so it stores for a long time without absorbing water or going bad. Perfect for a sailboat. It is clear and pure, having none of the impurities of normal vehicle diesel. It does not smell. And it has a higher energy content, higher cetane, than dino diesel or biodiesel. It's just a win, win. It's a bit more expensive than dino diesel, but in the small quantities the boat uses, that's not a problem. Can't wait for it be sold in WA, perhaps even at the fuel docks for boats someday. Get on it WA Legislature. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhojOnaOyKheGmRN2Wv8RctBx6VKCc6q9LvacfmTEE_uG8ZDn-x6HwxpS-7-aKsN-9DiAPyWQ3yBYD5vPHgK7XiL9_FKzT5IAlLq91YpptLUX_BmjlcAM0IjR1xQIn4WA6fjcR5RDJPlqvG/s300/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhojOnaOyKheGmRN2Wv8RctBx6VKCc6q9LvacfmTEE_uG8ZDn-x6HwxpS-7-aKsN-9DiAPyWQ3yBYD5vPHgK7XiL9_FKzT5IAlLq91YpptLUX_BmjlcAM0IjR1xQIn4WA6fjcR5RDJPlqvG/s0/images.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Renewable diesel on the left burns far cleaner than dino diesel</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3895969154537909556.post-74655650213609780212021-07-06T17:39:00.003-07:002021-07-06T17:39:53.902-07:00A Fourth of July Escapade-McMicken and Penrose<p> We hopped aboard Aeolus this past weekend to enjoy the South Sound by water, and had the good fortune of great weather. Not great wind, but that's how it is here in the Salish Sea. Too much or too little. I envy my San Francisco Bay Area friends who get 20-25 every single day all summer long. Anyway, I don't envy them anything else as they have nowhere to go!</p><p>We went straight to McMicken on Saturday afternoon and once again had a lovely overnight at that little gem. The island itself is unremarkable, and unfortunately has private inholdings, but the sandy spit that runs from the park to Harstine is a wonderful place to walk and explore. We swam and paddle boarded and were generally feral. It's a cool feature of the spit that at the right tides you can walk across as the current flows across. It's surreal. Magical. I recommend it!</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEVsHEzif0DGLItHpKJ4757MzB1xfW40Sfhq6xUjE8w16SWcTC2EgHJM4JGzYPr0YADvLi5iX12JsCMDXRTXp-AEJ7LXgiri487JEtpNMvUZ_4TAD6QmZ0leLoTq0jMw0n_6f4NygW1ToO/s2048/4FE8AE07-2B01-460B-AEDA-DBEDCF09CEBD.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEVsHEzif0DGLItHpKJ4757MzB1xfW40Sfhq6xUjE8w16SWcTC2EgHJM4JGzYPr0YADvLi5iX12JsCMDXRTXp-AEJ7LXgiri487JEtpNMvUZ_4TAD6QmZ0leLoTq0jMw0n_6f4NygW1ToO/s320/4FE8AE07-2B01-460B-AEDA-DBEDCF09CEBD.heic" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the way, glass calm<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />The guidebooks and reviews talk about the steep shelf but we have never had any trouble with the holding at McMicken. Just have a modern anchor design and not a CQR or Bruce. </p><p>We left there and for the first time went to Penrose Point State Park. It's only a few hours around the Peninsula from McMicken and Pitt Passage is a lovely little gap to pass through. No Dodd Narrows here! We chose to anchor on the West side of the Point, though you have easier shore access on the East side. You drop in about 40 of water and have a fairly long trip from there to the beaches. We swam and paddle boarded and dinghied our way around, enjoying all the hiking trails. It's a little gem of a park for South Sound. It made us miss our favorite places further north, but for being down South it has much to offer. It's hardly a good winter anchorage as you are exposed fully to the North. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwarpQySlINQMn3wiNRYC6KRkOAiUFUEau5h2tBRxr0kS82pvNsXVblbtfXfDRFRrCXt-Te1Z6CJvIL24ddPPGtEyJbotjfDoJcO6oLt9BskVyveV2Tlx33_g4GLZSV-L0tvBo5QXXZtv7/s2048/824E54B8-571C-44E7-90EF-69A70754A725.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwarpQySlINQMn3wiNRYC6KRkOAiUFUEau5h2tBRxr0kS82pvNsXVblbtfXfDRFRrCXt-Te1Z6CJvIL24ddPPGtEyJbotjfDoJcO6oLt9BskVyveV2Tlx33_g4GLZSV-L0tvBo5QXXZtv7/s320/824E54B8-571C-44E7-90EF-69A70754A725.heic" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our trusty dinghy and paddle board nearby</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p>Quite surprisingly, we enjoyed an amazing night of fireworks all around the Case Inlet. The entire shoreline was lit up by people with homes along the water, and the show lasted for many hours. You could even see the bigger municipal shows from behind the hills and trees. We joined in the fun by firing off our safety flares as the other nearby boats were doing. Our pyrotechnics went much higher than those poor landlubbers! </p><p>The trip back to Swantown from there was about 4 hours. You certainly want the current to be your friend and not your enemy here. We saw porpoises, and harbor seals, bald eagles and kingfishers. Life! </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0