Having a 'Wild Thyme'!

Regular readers know that one of our favorite things to do is visit coffee shops.  'Wild Thyme' at Lyall Harbour on Saturna Island, BC is one of the most original we have come across.  The coffee is excellent!  We also approve of the Peach-Coconut muffins, and the salami/havarti sandwiches.  (The gluten free cookies, not so much.  But even the Grumpy Cat disapproved of them.)

A double-decker bus!

Chloe is an excellent barista.  They are looking for more employees, but you must fit a height restriction!  Their ceiling is only 5' 7"

This sign at the stairway to the upper level had me singing along

Comfy cushions, but the heater is not needed today!

All the BEST coffee shops have a take-one-leave-one bookshelf!

Sunny day, upper level, above the kitchen -- the fan helps, but much too hot for comfort today

We have visited the bus twice already, and we like the area so much we are staying another day.  We found the Anglican Church (St. Christopher's), where there will be a non-denominational service tomorrow morning.  (The bus is on the way!)  AND the island library is in the basement of the church.  We stopped in on our way to the General Store.

Saturna Island has only 300 residents, and perhaps fewer than that during the winter.  But everyone we have come across has been very friendly!

Casey and Kids Visit

I am behind on my blogging again!

Daughter Casey and kids came to visit us in LaConner, WA.  I believe a good time was had by all!

Is that Papa Al?  Where they ended up was a surprise for the kids!

Top to bottom, oldest to youngest, Madalyn, Evan, and Milo

The antique store had these old toys outside, every ride a quarter.  We had to limit it to one ride a day.

Giddyup!

Riding Rudy

'Driving' the salmon wheel

We were disappointed to find the 'fish dock' was missing from the waterfront.  But we found it, under the Rainbow bridge.  We hope they will find a useful place for it again!

A happy monkey-boy

And another

No Hands!

That's NOT What Right Looks Like!

While in Minnesota, my brother-in-law Mike taught us a new phrase, which is the message for a series of public service advertisements playing on Armed Forces Television.  'That's NOT what right looks like!'

And today, when we came across this sight, guess what Al said?

Yes, there were people on board.  They did not seem to be particularly distressed, but did not seem at all anxious for our attention.  We were surprised the number of boats travelling by who did not slow to minimize their wakes for these poor people.

In the Swinomish Channel, you definitely do not want to get on the wrong side of the channel markers!

Side note:  They clearly had things under control.  We made contact with them and no assistance was needed, (nor possible at the time).  They had the boat well anchored to prevent it drifting further in - awaiting the higher-high tide late that night.  Sure enough, when we passed by the next day they were gone.

Love, Honor, and Cherish

On July 5, 1953, Maynard Ernest Johnson and Ellen Marie Johnson (yes, that was her maiden name too) took the vows to begin their marriage.

And 60 years later, many family and friends came together to mirror that love.  Here are some scenes from the celebration, by photographers Amy Dahlhoff and Chelsey Johnson.

The happy couple

The original wedding party is still complete!  Arlon Johnson was Best Man, and Millie Horsman was Maid of Honor (her husband Neil is also seated)

The memory table

Cake for everyone!

Mom and Dad
Gary and wife Julie
(Royce died at birth)
(Gwen died in 2008)
Kristi and husband Al Thomason
Dean and wife Elizabeth
Amy and husband Mike Dahlhoff

With all the grandkids who were able to be there:
Chelsey and April Johnson, Megan Dahlhoff, Melissa Aiello, Amber Stowe,  and Adam, Ethan, Aaron, Austin, and Jacob, who are all Johnsons

All of my nephews gathered to sing 'The Wedding Song' for their grandparents and guests

Cost to Cruise - June 2013

Soooo late:  Kristi and I have been back in Minnesota for her folks 60th anniversary, and we just are getting back into the Boating Life.  And wow, I know 'back at the farm' it is a small town, but without exception we got the "Oh, you are the Boat people".   Famous in Storden!

OK, to the costs.  June was a bit of a mix, a bit of Canada, and a mix of us spending several days in Friday harbor were we not only went to the favorite haunting grounds, but also stocked up A LOT on things we could not find in Canada:  Van Camp Pork'N'Beans, Ground Sausage, Wine under $10 that was actually drinkable, Scotts Single Ply TP (and I still worry that 3x 12-packs might be cutting it thin, Kristi gives me the eye..)  Kristi had a final follow up for her eye's (they are looking great, both says the Doc and I).  We picked up a steel propane tank to replace one of our 'You are carrying a bomb' composite LiteCylinder tanks (will replace the other once we empty it), and we turned on the Verizon MiFi (a bit of double billing for a few weeks between Verizon and Telus).  So, without any more build up (err, excuses), there is June:

Solar is up on its legs with 162Ah/day (we did not purchase any shore power while parking the boat during our trip back to Minnesota), and with that the 18 hours on the Generator is a bit surprising.   I chalk it up to that  oh-so-easy start button now on the dash.  It just to easy to flip it when doing Laundry and then let the generator continue to run topping off the batteries it a slow idle...   As justification: I know the batteries are SO much happier getting a FULL charge as opposed to the cruiser typical 80% topping off...

In the end June was not too bad.  But hold onto your hats for July: we topped off the fuel tanks before heading back to Canada.  And as you can see, we put a lot of miles on the main engine in June...

Me and Micah

It was fun to spend two days with Micah before we headed to MN for MORE family fun!  It was great to just have time to sit and TALK.  He's really very interesting.

Translation of Micah's t-shirt:  'Ferrous' Wheel.  Yes, he had to explain it to me. (But I knew it had something to do with iron)

Microship Launch

Finally, here are photos from the Microship launch we participated in last Wednesday.  This is a project of Steven Roberts, and you can read more about him and his projects at microship.com

We were running late, so we missed the very beginning of this journey.  But we intercepted the parade near Market Place.  Even though it was mid-week, I think it was very wise to avoid Spring Street!

Curiosity was generated the whole way!  This tough guy had his Harley jacket on.  

Steve walked backwards the whole way, steering with the handle, and applying brakes with muscle.

Down the hill and past the Hungry Clam, we can see the water now!

Down the main dock and to the crane!

'Wings' folded down, wheels retracted, sling and guidelines attached....

... and UP she goes!

Al is ready to intercept.

She floats!

And Al takes her away to a low dock where the mast can be stepped.

Iwo Jima was mentioned during this process

Look at that grin!

She REALLY looks like a microship next to Elwha.

Around the breakwater

And to her new home!