June 13, 2010 - Hope Island

Just like last weekend, this wasn't intended to be a boating weekend.  Cindy and Kathy had the Tesoro fun-run Saturday morning and then my Sister Pat took the kids to see the play "Annie" Saturday night.  Cindy entered a .5 mile dash and took first place in her age group!  Then Kathy and Cindy did a 5K run (about 3.2 miles) and Cindy probably would have taken first place if the age group was for 10 and under, but the youngest age group was 15 and under.  There's not much chance that a 7 year old can outrun a 15 year old in 3+ mile race!  This was Cindy's first trophy, although she already has several ribbons from previous great finishes.  Cindy LOVES to run, and she's probably going to be getting many more trophies in the future.

Cindy and her first place trophy and ribbon!

The kids really enjoyed the play with their Aunt.  It's great that Aunt Pat takes the time to expose them to things we probably wouldn't; boating almost every other weekend really cuts into time for things like movies and plays.

Kathy and I took advantage of our "date night" by getting take-out Thai food from our excellent La Conner "Thai Garden " restaurant, and headed to the boat to enjoy a lovely dinner on the flybridge, in the warmth of a sunny evening.  After dinner we watched a movie, capitalizing on the freedom of not having any kids to worry about.  Pat brought the kids down to the boat at about 10:15PM after the 3-hour play.  I was hoping they would get here earlier so we could leave the dock and spend the night anchored out.  But, it was pretty late and we were both quite tired.  Also, Kathy wasn't particularly interested in heading out after dark, so we spent the night safe and sound at the dock. 

In the morning we took our time getting out of the marina, not leaving until after 8:30.  We practiced docking a few times since so many boats were gone.  I practiced backing into our slip which is something I've never done with this boat.  I used to back our 38' into it's slip every time, but our 45' boat just doesn't fit well into this slip when backed in.  It was like riding a bike; the skills came right back despite years of non-use.  After several practice runs we left Shelter Bay and headed to Hope Island.  The sun is out, sort of, and there is a bit of a breeze.  We drop anchor on the South side of Hope Island and the wind just gets stronger and stronger.  Heavy clouds roll in.  We had visions of tubing and maybe even trying to teach the kids to waterski.  But the waves were just too big for watersports to be much fun.  So, Kathy and the kids play games, and I work on a few boat projects.  The kids do some tattooing with children's "tattoo pens".

Sailboat tattoo courtesy of Cindy. Kevin drew an alien.

The kids work on coloring/drawing for a while, and play several card and board games.  There are no electronic games this time, which is a welcome break.  They are in their jammies until about 2:00PM.  It was a relaxing (and fun) morning.

Drawing time at the salon table.

Goofing around with the booster seats (from the car).

Later in the day our friends the Dalton's arrived after spending Saturday at Spencer Spit.  Spencer Spit is one of our favorite places in the San Juan's, and it is about time we get back there.  After setting their anchor they dinghy over in the waves and spend a few hours with us.  The wind is continuing to pick up and is now a steady 20-25 knots with gusts into the low-to-mid 30's.  The waves are starting to build and our boats are whipping around from side to side as they weathervane in the wind.  Earlier in the day I was trying to decide where to mount some aft facing flood lights on the top of the radar arch.  I forgot and left them up there.  A strong gust of wind blew one off and it bounced off the deck of the flybridge and then plopped into the bay.  Kurrrrr-Plunk!  Fortunately Mark and I each heard it and saw it.  So I quickly jumped into our rowboat (without a lifejacket!!!) to get it.  It floated long enough for me to retrieve it.  No damage done.

Retrieving the floodlight that blew off the radar arch.

The Dalton's decided it was time to head back home, as they had to return a neighbor friend to his parents so he could get to a music lesson.  They hop in the dinghy and the outboard won't start.  But the current and wind are so strong they are moving toward their boat quickly.  Mark gets the motor started when they are about 1/2 way back.

"I can't get the motor started -- I'm not kidding" says Mark.

Being passed by the Daltons.  I miss a 25 knot boat!

We head back home and see a strange sight as we near the Swinomish Channel.  Where the ocean current flowing through Deception Pass meets the Swinomish Channel there is a distinct line.  Clear sea water meeting muddy Skagit River water.  It was quiet a dramatic sight.

 

 

Sea water meets muddy river water.

 

A closeup view of the current line.

We get back to our slip and the wind is much calmer.  I guess it's called Shelter Bay for a reason?  As we look back out the entrance to Shelter Bay we see the high-speed passenger-only ferry "Victoria Clipper" that shuttles people between Seattle and Victoria B.C. cruising past.  They don't come through La Conner very often; usually only when it's really nasty on the "outside" and they need a break from the rough seas.  We heard from several boaters that came back from the San Juan's this afternoon that it was quite "lumpy" out there.

The Victoria Clipper passes the entrance to our community.

Click here for Victoria Clipper website

We are anxiously waiting for summer weather, as are all of our other boating friends.  We haven't had much good weather now for months.  I hope summer arrives soon, as we have lots of plans for playing with the kids in the hot sun while out on the water.