Summer Cruise Aboard "Jubilacion" 2017

We were up early, hoping to get across Juan de Fuca Strait before the wind came up.   We listened to the latest weather forecast and real time report from the weather station at Smith Island while we brushed our teeth.  The wind was only blowing 4 knots out of the east at Smith Island — sounds good.  The wind is supposed to pick up to 25 to 30 knots this afternoon.

By 0630 hrs, we were underway.  We figured we’d head straight for Partridge Point if the winds were light.  But, if it was ugly out there, we’d change course for Deception Pass.  Fortunately, the wind and seas were quite tolerable clear to Partridge Point. 

Once we got through the Port Townsend Canal, however, the seas started building.  The tide had changed, opposing the current, and, of course, it was a Spring Tide, so the current was considerable.  We slogged along, hugging the shore, where there was some protection from the wind, which was gusting to 50 knots.  Finally, we’d had enough and pulled into Apple Tree Cove, where the Kingston Ferry lands.  I can see why Apple Tree Cove isn’t mentioned in any of the cruising guides.  You can anchor there, but why would you want to roll back and forth for hours on end.  Luckily, the wind died down around 1700 hrs and we hot-footed it across to our slip in Elliott Bay.  By 1830 hrs, we were tied up and having a celebratory glass of wine.  Cheated Death again.

By the time we had signed the final counter offer, it was noon.  Ordinarily, we wouldn’t leave an anchorage this late in the day, but the weather conditions are perfect today, and tomorrow its predicted to get really windy, so we’ve decided to take a chance on making Hunter Bay by this evening.

When Al went to pull the anchor, the anchor wash down pump threw a circuit breaker.  Not a huge problem, but we didn’t want to put that filthy chain and anchor in our nice clean anchor locker.  So, Al located the spare fuses and had the pump working without too much delay.  The seas were absolutely flat calm all the way to Hunter Bay.  By 1800 hrs we were anchored and enjoying the fact that we had Hunter Bay all to ourselves.

The weather turned windy and rainy, so I wasn’t able to get any kayaking in until the day before we left Montague.  The skies looked a bit ominous, but I decided to give it a go and hope for the best.

As I paddled around the shoreline, I spotted this old derelict mooring buoy on the beach (this is how desperate I was by now to shoot anything).

When I reached the other side of the harbor, I decided to risk paddling around the northern point of the anchorage, since there wasn’t much wind or current at the time, and I was desperate for a photo op.

Finally, I spotted this seal trying to get comfortable on a partially submerged rock.  He was so intent on finding a comfortable position, that he didn’t pay much attention to me.

About this time, the sun broke through.  Unfortunately, the wind picked up also, so I decided it would be prudent to head back to the boat.

As I headed back, I spotted an Oyster Catcher.  I don’t see many of these, so I was pleased to get a clean shot of it. 

Then, just beyond the Oyster Catcher, I spotted a couple of very small ducks in the distance.  When I zoomed in, I couldn’t believe my eyes, they were Harlequin Ducks!  That made my day, even though the seas were too bumpy to get a decent shot, I now know that there are Harlequin Ducks in this area.  Maybe I can get a better shot next time.

 Just before I got back to the boat, I spotted some Cormorants preening themselves.

We’d been enjoying kicking back and relaxing for a few days, when we received a call from Al’s son, Russ.  He said the broker we’d listed our house with was trying to contact us about an offer on our house.  With an amazing program called DocuSign, we were able to counter-offer, and eventually accept their final offer, all through emails…. amazing!  So, the house is now in a 30-day escrow.  Unfortunately, this means we’ll be heading back to Seattle, awaiting an appraisal, home and pest inspections, and approval of a small loan for the buyers, which will take about 17 days, or less.  As soon as it looks like it’s a done deal, we’ll head for home and finish packing and moving to our new place in Redding. 

We bought the new place in December, did some remodeling, and started moving everything except the furniture, stuff in the garage and under the house,  and everyday essentials.   If, by some miracle, everything goes smoothly and there aren’t any hitches, escrow will close on our old house around June 9.  We’re going to be busy little bees.

The low overcast skies are still with us this morning, but the wind is only blowing about 5 knots.  “What a miserable night.  We rocked and rolled all night.”, Al said.  I must have been dead to the world, because I never felt a thing.  The seas did look rather strange, however, considering the wind was only blowing 5 knots.  There was lots of disturbance on the water…. strange. 

By 0700 hrs, Al was pulling the anchor.  Unfortunately, when the anchor broke the surface of water, Al could see that the chain was wrapped around the shank of the anchor.  “We’ve got a real problem.  The chain is knotted around the anchor.  I’ll need you to help me up here.” he yelled.  “Could you sort it out at the dock in Montague?”, I asked.  “Yeah, but if we need to anchor before we get there, we’re screwed.”  So, Al tied a rope around the anchor and I wrapped the rope around the anchor winch.   He was able to muscle the 65 pound anchor up to where he could take some slack off the chain, while I kept tension on the rope, just in case he lost it.  It was a struggle, but he was able to get the anchor untangled and dropped back over the side without either of us getting hurt.  He is one tough dude.  In all our years of boating we’ve never experienced this situation.  It’s a real head scratcher.

Once underway, we were delighted to find sea conditions just as perfect as yesterday.

In four hours we were pulling into Montague Harbour.  It’s early in the season, so we were able to anchor just off the fuel dock.  In no time, we were connected to the Marina’s WiFi.  After dinner, we dinghyed in for delicious ice cream cones.  Summer has officially begun.

 

Our summer cruise got off to a great start, with calm winds and smooth seas forecast for today and tomorrow.  Even though we didn’t leave until 0815 hrs, with any luck we should be able to drop our hook in Blind Bay, on Shaw Island this evening.  Sea conditions are so benign, that we’ve set a course straight up Puget Sound. 

We’ve got less than a knot of current against us right now, so we’re averaging almost 8 knots of speed.  With calm winds, hopefully, the tide rips off Point Wilson won’t be too bad.  We’ll see.

To avoid possible tide rips off Point Wilson, we set our course for Partridge Point, hugging the shore along Widbey Island.  Wind and sea conditions continued to be perfect.  However, the tide was turning, so our speed was dropping.  Where we had been seeing speeds of 11 knots, we now had a hard time making 7.5 knots. 

Spencer Spit, Lopez Island

Our ETA, which had been showing 1510 hrs, was now indicating we’d be lucky to arrive by 1800 hrs.  But, as luck would have it, our slow progress didn’t last long, and after dodging a couple of ferries, we were putting the hook down in lovely Blind Bay.  Even though the eight-hour run had been a piece of cake, we were ready to kick back and relax with a glass of wine, followed by one of Al’s delicious dinners.