Beautiful Water

We left Saturna Island and made an almost straight path all the way to DeCourcy Island. There wasn't much wind, which makes for MY favorite kind of water -- glassy. But there were lots of sails up anyway! This group enters Trincomali Channel from Salt Spring Island.

Pirate's Cove! It's been a while since we've been here, so we hit a dead end on our way to the pirate's chest. This view looks like they should call it the 'Emerald Isle'.

Back to our cove on Ruxton Passage. Viking Star is the distant boat.

Snow on the mountains on Vancouver Island!

Lots of treasures in the chest! Here is my favorite, but I think I will leave her for the next girl.

Coffee is a Priority!

If you know us at all, you know we love coffee! Here are some photos to illustrate:

Those two bins on the left are fresh-ground, Regular and Decaf. The shelf above the stove is dedicated to coffee -- our Aeropress brewer and a dozen coffee ups, ALL 'favorites'!

The top shelf in the cupboard is also dedicated to coffee. A bag of fresh beans, a can of coffee recommended to us as a flavor booster, a french press, a moka pot, espresso cups and plates.....OH and insulated cups at the back. Notice MORE coffee mugs on the bottom shelf.

Now perhaps you can more easily understand why we went 'off the beaten path' to visit Wild Thyme on Saturna Island in the Canadian Gulf Islands. We lovingly simply call it 'The Bus'. A wonderful double-decker bus modified to a coffee shop, serving excellent coffee and food, as much as possible, grown on the island. YUMMY!

Victoria

We finally got Viking Star to Victoria! We have been here on two sailboat charters previously, and promised to bring Viking Star here 'someday'. Thank you to Brian and Jean who invited us to share their time-share condo with us for the week.

I had been nervous about getting there -- the last time we crossed Haro Strait it WAS a harrowing experience, for me, anyway. The waves got big (but not as big as we thought they should for a 50 mph gale) and I had stitches from a carpal tunnel surgery, so I could not hold on. I rode it out below on the bunk with my feet on the wall.

THIS TIME, we watched the weather carefully and had a back-up plan of the Friday Harbor to Sidney ferry. But I don't think we could have asked for a better crossing! Smooth water and the tide was with us -- we reached 10.7 knots! (We normally cruise about 6)

At the entrance to Inner Harbor

 The first night we settled in with Jean and Brian, and grilled steaks and watched 'The Force Awakens'.  The next day we visited the Parliament building before Tea at the Empress.

From the first floor, to the landing on the second floor.  

The crest of British Columbia

There was so much beautiful stained glass -- too many pictures to post -- and also this mosaic.

The  members of Parliament were due to seat shortly.

The dome, from the second floor landing. There is a staircase 'in glass' to access the inside of the dome.

The ceremonial entrance, used for visiting Heads of State. Queen Elizabeth II came through here. 

Okay, ONE stained glass photo. This one commemorates Queen Elizabeth II's 60th year of reign, her Diamond Jubilee.

We had a wonderful tour guide. She lead a large group of us, she said the largest she's had so far. We lingered after the rest left and she shared a few more 'hidden' items, including the Queen's corgis in this painting.

Nearby outside, Brian took our photo in front of the crest of Canada.

A marmot on the front lawn of the Empress Hotel.

We strolled the waterfront, and I flirted with an old sailor. 

Wednesday was 'More Friends Day' as I had a hair appointment with Jord'n, and was surprised by Deneen bringing her mother for the appointment after me, along with Ilyssa and Irma.

Thursday we visited Craigdarroch Castle. It looks like it was built on a bare hilltop! There were lots of trees and other houses around it now.

A knitting basket!

A view from one of the tower windows -- downtown Victoria?

As always, the time to leave comes too soon. Here, we round the Trial Islands south of Victoria -- they feature in many a weather report. This day -- an excellent trip!

Shoe, foot included?

When we visit remote islands I often look out for trash we can pick up and take off the beach.  In the spring it is not hard to find a large amount - mostly Plastic.  (Life happens, I am sure most of what we find is not intentionally tossed into the waters - even being careful things happens)

While watching Ryker search for glass to take off the beach (also man introduced - right?) I noticed what appeared to be a shoe.  Pointing it out to Ryker he headed over and while on his way I shouted out "See if there is a foot in it!"

Ryker stopped, "What??"

And with that I had an opportunity to share the mystery of feet washing up on shore here in the Salish Sea.
    Severed feet keep mysteriously washing up on Pacific Northwest shores

Not sure he really believed me till a passerby confirmed  - then it was Big Eyes and a cautious approach.  It was a shoe alright, but no foot.  Looked to be never worn, more likely an escape from a lost container.  But a great memory for his week-long adventure I am sure!

Shoe, footless it turns out.

Cost to Cruise March 2016

March is the 1st month we were 'away from the docks'.  And it shows.  No access to coffee shops (well, limited access), no more maintenance projects, no more 'mail order' stuff.   Just out there.  But even so March was still a very expensive month as we resume tracking and reporting this year:

Taking a look at some of the details:

• Maintenance consisted of the need to replace the fuel pump in our heater ( @ 5,700hrs, think it had done its job).  Because we had to get the part right now it was about 2x what would have cost had I been carrying a spare. And also resulted in a night at the Anacortes marina.
• Groceries are a bit high as we kind of stocked up just before leaving Friday Harbor on the 2nd and again during an overnight stay in Anacortes.  Preparing for our summer up north.
• Moorage and dining out represents the few times we DID come into port:  Once in the aforementioned Anacortes, and another overnight in Friday Harbor to pick up mail and see the Dr. for some routine lab work.
• Medical. . . .   Always the killer, and this time with a little help.  Over the summer Kristi started to be bothered by abdominal pain.  In the Fall some tests discovered there was a slight hernia in her belly button.  Simple surgery in Feb fixed it up, with the bills trickling into March.  Even with all my griping of the US medical system, have to admit:  These costs are fair game.

And a couple of special notes to make.  March includes two large 'refunds':

• -$350  in Moorage for the refund of part of our deposit to Friday Harbor last fall.
• -$815  in Medical  reflecting the year-end 'adjustment' of our Healthcare Exchange shared premium costs.  (We overpaid each month in 2015, and it was all reconciled in our 2015 fed tax return)
• Side note (soap box):  Though am perhaps happy to see the reduction of our monthly healthcare premium, I am still most disturbed by what the cost is to US (US = United States).  Our individual costs are largely now covered but Uncle Sam is paying a bit north of $800/mo. for what amounts to little coverage.  That surgery Kristi had:  We wrote the checks to several folks for all of it. . . .

Outside of that perhaps we will start getting into a more typical month to month routine.  In April we start our travels into Canada,with lots of opportunity to stay away from cities (we have a saying:  Cities make our bellies fat, and our wallet thin).  Just compare the monthly costs shown here; once one backs out the medical stuff it is so obvious how costly being in port can be, too many opportunities!   Now if Kristi can just manage to keep me away from The Bus on Saturna Island as we travel north, we might find April also a rather cost friendly month.


(ed. note:  The Bus = Wild Thyme, a coffee shop in a double-decker bus)

Our Last Full Day with Ryker

We weren't in a rush, but we didn't dawdle over our morning coffee and hot chocolate. We had a long day ahead -- estimated five hours travelling time to reach our destination at Cornet Bay. There was fog, but it was rising as we left Jones Island -- oh, about 9AM?

We traveled through the heart of the San Juans and down the east side of Lopez, where Ryker's teacher's family has property. We went out Lopez Pass onto Rosario Strait, where Captain Al had to contend with some commercial traffic. Conditions were okay, with negligible waves, but 3-4 foot swells -- a bit of a roller coaster! NOAA had forecasted 0-1 foot.



The closer we got to Bowman Bay where we planned to hold over to wait for the slack tide at 4:52PM for Deception Pass, the greater the waves and swells and their orientation became. There were two other boats already at the dock and several anchored, but there was room at the float for us.

We had encouraged Ryker to put down his game, since he had become a little queasy on a bit of a rough trip a month ago, but didn't seem too bothered by the larger stuff on the Strait this time. Here he is, waiting for lunch to be ready.

An easy lunch of salad and grilled cheese sandwiches, and by then the fog had lifted and the wind died and the sun was sparkling. Al and Ryker went for dinghy ride to explore the bay, while I stayed behind and relaxed with some knitting.

The appointed time arrived, and we departed the bay for Deception Pass. There were several fishing boats out, and we noticed a larger powerboat approaching from the north. He seemed to be the only one making the same move we were.

It has become a gorgeous day! Looking west onto the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

Our first glimpse of the Deception Pass Bridge. Al has been through twice, Kristi once, all from east to west. This is our first trip in this direction.

Our timing is good. There is just a bit of flood current left, but no evidence of whirlpools. The current is on our nose, which helps us pass through in a more controlled manner. It can be a little more 'squirrely' when it's pushing us.

Captain Al and sidekick Bronson

We made it!

We take a spot on the dock at Cornet Bay State Park.  Al and Ryker take another dinghy trip to explore Ben Ure Island. It is private and can only be visited by reservation, so they circle the island and return.

Saturday we are on the move again before 8 AM, and enter the Swinomish Channel to arrive at LaConner WA. We have time to stroll and snack before the arrival of the rest of Ryker's family to arrive. We have lunch together and do a little shopping before we haul Ryker's stuff back to their vehicle and they all load up and head for home again.

We have loved each of the visit the three oldest grandchildren have had with us -- two last summer, and this one. The next will probably not happen until next spring, since we are leaving for six months in Canada soon. It was also allow the next in age to have another birthday before his turn.

Jones Island

Al recently saw a facebook post that announced the docks had been put back in on area State Parks. So we headed for Jones Island.

We grab snacks and head out for the south beach. There is a wide smooth path and it is less than a half mile to our destination.

The orchard is in bloom!

Another opportunity for throwing sticks....

... and stones.

Tormenting the anemones

A beautiful day!