Olga, Orcas Island

From our bustling cove at Shallow Bay on Sucia we headed over to Orcas Island. After gunkholing a number of lovely coves, we headed up Eastsound and stopped for lunch and a walk at Olga -- a cute little town on the eastern side of the sound. They have a lovely Co-Op gallery which entertained us for some while. The signs above advertise their community fair -- Olga Daze.

On our hike around to the next bay -- a clam and oyster farm.

Acappella at the Olga dock, Orcas Island

What a great store and lunch spot at the top of the dock. Friendly people and good eats too. Notice the little window inset in the roof -- it's a reproduction of the storefront.

Olga is well worth the visit, although the dock is small and it would be miserable in a SW wind, we had calm winds and seas for our 3 hour stay.

Little Bay, Suchia Island

Dad takes a gander through the trees on our Little Bay Hike.

I'm pointing to the boat in the Harbor -- not too obvious though!

San Juan Meanderings

We've spent a marvelous 6 days meandering the San Juans. From Shelter Bay we cruised up to Matia Island and spent the night in a no-name bay, which we now will dub "1 boat bay". The cove was just big enough to accommodate 1 boat and many little birds flitting around spiral diving for their food. The cove had a a beautiful little sandy beach and along the shore-line a "monster" carved in the rock.

After a pleasant night on the hook at Matia, we headed over to Suchia Island and circumnavigated the island slipping in and out of the coves, finally settling in Shallow Bay. Dad and I took a dinghy ride to shore and then hiked the trail from Shallow Bay to Little Shallow Bay. Many boats of all sizes and shapes. A gorgeous sunset was provided as a backdrop to our evening meal!

Aboard with the "Scholastic Achievement Award Winner"!

Our own Emily Kate and her Mom spent a few days with us aboard Acappella cruising Whidbey Island. We were quite honored to have this award winner aboard!

We left bright and early Sunday morning and cruised to Langley town on Whidbey and gunkholed all the stores in town. Captain and Emily gunkhole the marina -- we were packed in like sardines, as usual! After a very pleasant dinner it town, we went back to the boat, played upteen games of Skip-Bo and to bed. Next day we cruised off to Penn Cove for a restful night on anchor -- we had a few visitors too.... we dropped Helen and Em back at Shelter Bay, had showers and restocked at home then off again first to Matia Island, then Sucia and now on Orcas at Eastsound Cove for the Saturday farmer's market. More later as internet is available -- love to you all!

Thirtaaay!

On July 4th our very independently minded daughter, Jocelyn, turned 30! The whole family gathered for a surprise party in Queen's Park in New Westminster to fete her and the day! Although she knew she was going to a picnic, we hadn't told her that we were coming in from the sea to join in the festivities! So, brother, and brother in-laws, sisters and sister-in-law, extended family and friends joined together to mark the milestone.

We dined on burgers and hot dogs and watched the young'uns cavort. A great day!


















Jocelyn looking at her quilt made out of old Tshirts from her pre and teen years - her Mother's attempt at domestic sewing skills.







And a gift from Dad -- the painting that she salivated after for some time -- she's finally arrived -- and has one of Dad's best paintings.



The "cousins" get in some good play time together!









You da boss Simon!

Solomon's scooter was a big hit!

Wooden Boat School Port Hadlock

We woke to a bright sunny morning leaving the historic town of Port Townsend to make our way over to the Wooden Boat School at Port Hadlock.



Dad was keen on gunk-holing the school and chatting up the locals. The school was busy sanding, scraping and generally getting on with teaching folks the art of wooden boat building. The tug in the picture is from 1906 -- she's visited LaConner during the wooden boat show and is looked after by the school. The buildings you see just behind her are those of the school. We docked in front and did a stroll around past really unique little cabins and the sights and sounds of people working diligently on their projects. There is an interesting cafe here as well but unfortunately it doesn't open until 5:00 PM so we'll have to try it another time.


The "Ajax" Cafe, Port Hadlock.

Now off we go again on a beautiful sunny afternoon heading over to the "Lagoon" and a stay at Mystery Bay -- more later!

Pleasant Harbor -- Hood Canal to Port Townsend

We spent a "pleasant" afternoon and evening in Pleasant Harbor tucked in the North side of Hood Canal. There are two marinas here as well as a state park dock. Acappella anchored -- we're still enamored with our new 45 pound anchor -- it works superbly!

Here I sit having that pleasant time -- don't ask me what I'm doing, it's the only picture we took at Pleasant Harbor for some reason!

We picked up the anchor in the morning and headed north, under the Hood Canal bridge heading for Port Townsend to replenish the larder.
The bridge is a significant span as you can see. It makes it easy for the folks to get back and forth to work at the Bangor Navy Station where they have the Trident nuclear sub-marines. We gave the base a wide berth and saw the 'watch dog' boats making sure that no one comes too close!
Further up the shore and we take the inside waterway through the Port Townsend Canal.




There is another naval station on the east island and a ship is loading at the dock. She heads out accompanied by two Coast Guard dogs.


Lots of busy boats around as we head toward Port Townsend and anchor off the old town close to the city dock -- the old Union Dock. There was a fish processing plant here for many years and one day they were loading a semi trailer truck from the dock and it fell into the drink-- thus ended the fish processor's business and the city now uses it for the transient boaters.


We took the dinghy into town and strolled the main streets in search of a grocery store which ended up being about 2 miles down the road. A good bit of exercise after a long stint on the boat. With our goodies purchased we took a taxi back to the dock and settled in for a quiet evening.