Mike and Beth's Adventures

God bless the National Weather Service!  They accurately predicted a strong Pacific Northwest Storm with 35 knot winds and rain.  We were anchored in a idyllic bay on U-shaped Stuart Island when we received the warning.  It arrived with sufficient lead time to move to shelter in Friday Harbor, safely tied to a dock.  The orientation of the hills surrounding the harbor provide good protection.  As the storm had not yet arrived, we got off the boat for a good walk around Friday Harbor.  It is not large so easy to walk. Beth's first stop was the thrift store (it was closed), while mine was the coffee shop.  Next we visited the market for storm supplies and then scoped out the fish market but did not buy. This was followed by investigating the public transit options and checking out a few shops.  This brought us back to the harbor and a view across the marina and out towards Shaw Island. Once back aboard Amy Marie we completed various chores, did our ...

Friends are one of the reasons we enjoy boating in the San Juan and Gulf Islands.  Several years ago we met John and Brenda while visiting Refuge Cove in the Desolation Islands.  They cruised there on John's 30' diesel cruiser, Salish Dream.  Next time we saw them we linked up on Gabriola Island where John gave us an Island tour. Following the tour we visited his sister and her husband who have a home overlooking Dodd Narrows.   Prior to departing for the Pacific Northwest this summer, we arranged to meet John in Montague Harbor on Galiano Island.  He grew up near Parksville, on Vancouver Island and has cruised these waters for many years,  He has willingly shared his extensive knowledge of local anchorages, harbors, sights, and experiences to enjoy. John was in Ganges getting groceries when we arrived.  We anchored just outside the Provincial Park mooring field and set about boat chores while waiting for John's return.  As we waited, float p...

Happy Birthday! If you read our last post, you know that our plans to splash Amy Marie in the Pacific Northwest were delayed for 10 days due to a wheel bearing on the trailer that decided it had worked too hard for too long,  and quit.  Thank goodness we got it fixed and were able to launch Amy Marie in Kingston Washington.  Great little town.  Many people know it as a stop on the Washington State Ferry System.  It is a shortcut to the Kitsap Peninsula for people living on the Seattle side of Puget Sound.  We love it for it's variety of restaurants, the town green near both the marina and the ferry terminal.  Events and markets are hostedall summer long on the green.  We also have extended family who live there. Miss Bones welcomes you for a slice of Kingston Pizza It was important to be in the water and moving so we could join a week long celebration of two family birthdays.  Consequently,  we were unable to linger in Kingston.  My...

This afternoon I'm sitting on Amy Marie and listening to live classical violin  being played by the skipper of the vessel Vya Lynn.  The notes just seem to hang in the air.  A perfect compliment to a lovely location.  We are in a typical PNW cove on the north side of Jones Island.  Why the north side?  Today some nasty cold south winds have been blowing and we sought shelter here.  It really is a sanctuary of sorts.  Our fellow voyagers are a mix a small cruisers and sailboats.  Throw in a couple of motor vessels approaching 40 feet in length and you have the whole crowd.   We meet one fellow who has been here a week.  He motored over from Anacortes on his 16 foot center console.  He is retired and travels with his dog, a  Corgi.  He and the Corgi were camped in  an orange dome tent from the '80's.  Those of you who use to backpack know the tent.  It used to be ubiquitous back then.  You could...

I am always a bit sad when our time in the PNW draws to a close.  Each visit is amazing.  Maybe I feel this way because of the grandeur of the experience.  One never knows when or if you will again visit.  It is like saying goodbye to an old friend who lives far away, hence there is uncertainty about future time together.  The PNW experience invokes strong emotions, feelings and thoughts.  It is beautiful in its stature and harmonious in its vastness.  It is the kind of emotion that feeds the soul.  You do not want it to end.  Being in nature reminds you that there is a rhythm to life that is simplifying in that it strips away the unnecessary chaos which waits to assault upon return to “civilization”.  Perhaps my reluctance to leave is procrastination.  I like the simple rhythm and want to delay the tenseness and harshness that accompanies chaos.  Perhaps this all boils down to the fact that I like being on vacation and the sim...