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Brandon and Bell playing "Up Periscope"
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After fixing a flat tire less than a mile from the house, and loading a weeks worth of food and supplies onto the boat - we were ready to start vacation. Annabelle and I consume 21 bananas a week and amazingly, the boat had a place for everything we needed.
I am a total goldilocks sailor- it has to be just right. If it's too windy I'm not into it. If it's not windy enough I'm not into it. Princess Goldilocks.
The Rosario Straight was little choppy. Brandon was sailing in all it's glory - loving every minute of it- expertly navigating the waves and single handedly adjusting lines. I was shitting my pants, debating whether I should break into Annabelle's diaper stash and wear one. Annabelle likes to sleep through choppy seas and was peacefully napping in the cabin. Crossing the straight took 20 minutes, soon after we saw a pontoon boat come through. As far as I know, pontoon boats are not known for their sea-worthiness. So either it wasn't that bad, it was a blue water pontoon boat or we just had bad timing. None-the-less we made it to Jones Island and spent a few hours walking the same 50 foot stretch of dock with Annabelle and enjoying the view of 45 double kayaks on the beach. Apparently it's a popular kayak spot.
The next day we sailed to Succia, a place we've always wanted to explore. We power hiked 90% of the trails on the Island and left just enough sections to trail run the next morning. Succia didn't disappoint with neat rock structures near the shores, large finger like coves, and picturesque camping spots. To top it off Annabelle went to bed early in a make shift baby crib under the table- baller-whiskey ginger time.
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Thinking to rename this boat
"The Aquatic RV" |
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| Make shift baby crib |
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| Watching Orcas |
"When the wind doesn't blow it blows"- Goldilocks 2021.
Grudgingly we motored along completely windless to Patos and Matia. The coves were super small and were already over crowded with boats. We were warned not to anchor there as the current rips. Highlights included 135 seals around Matia and the cool light house at Patos.
To continue our tour of San Juan Islands we cruised over to Shaw Island and stayed in Blind Bay. Rowing in the dinghy, for the duration of three warm crappy beers we discovered a bay full of derelict boats and super awesome, dilapidated floating docks. A previous life they were party central complete with fire pits and wood burning hot tubs, now just a cove full of abandoned dreams and overgrown sea life. But it made for interesting views while rowing.
By the time we reached Fishermen's Bay off of Lopez we no longer felt like Greenhorns. Annabelle was fully confident in her baby sea legs and was practically driving the boat with Brandon. The first time we anchored this trip we were quite the spectacle, but we dropped anchor off of Lopez like old salts. We resupplied with more ice and more drink mixers, ready to continue our sea quest.
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| Annabelle learning to drive |
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| As Annabelle became more daring on the boat the life jacket rules became stricter |
Friday harbor was so busy one would think they were only open on Fridays. (we are practicing our Dad Jokes). The VHF radio was non stop - can't get a word in chatter with people trying to find a place to dock. The customs dock looked empty so we parked there and found the harbor master who told us not to park there. The harbor master was friendly and excited to see Annabelle as she had a 1 year old as well. She found us a temporary place to dock, squeezed between two multi million dollar boats that towered our boat's mast. Feeling like Bam Bam in a China Museum- Brandon parallel parked our boat like a boss. While walking around, Annabelle picked up some dog poop, I drank a coffee and we bought more bananas. That sums up Friday harbor. We hauled the mail with perfect winds to Stuart Island where we ate crab with the boat next door and learned that Annabelle can get a free fishing license so we can catch more crab.
The last day of our trip we met up with the whole armada thanks to Brennan's organization. We were joined by the good ship Klaus and the almighty brown falcoln. In Rouse fashion, a gathering with friends to conclude a good trip.
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| The Armada |
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| Getting ready to row |
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