Rain? What? We won't melt!

Standard fall monsoons have commenced in the Pacific Northwest.  Does it keep us from enjoying being out in the boat?  Nope.  Granted there is less hiking thru the woods (and slipping in the mud).  And our silly dog has forgotten that 1) she's a dog and 2) she must go outside and do her thing even if it is raining.  Her attitude is: "I'll wait for Arizona, if you don't mind.  And a little warm sun before then would be great." 

 

That said we are taking our Fall South Sound cruise.  Beautiful orange and yellow falling leaves. 

 

Seals and porpoise and deer.  Still looking out for the evasive pod of orcas. 

 

First stop was at the city dock of Gig Harbor.  Great people watching place.  Enjoyed watching the kids (about 50 of them) practicing sprint canoeing. 

These narrow boats are so tippy but they travel fast (coach says up to 15mph). 

 

There were lots of people walking the dock, easy access to gift shops, and right across the street from a favorite Mexican restaurant. 

 

2nd stop is Oro Bay.  This is a very secure and scenic bay made all the nicer because our yacht club has an outstation (marina) here.  Nice docks, nice power, uplands for walking, and a car to get us around the island.  It's a quiet time of the year here too but enjoyed watching 4 eagles soaring above the other day. 

We tend to only see 1 or 2 eagles at a time but 4 was a very rare treat!

 

 

What a summer!

Though we got a late start out cruising, the weather gods have smiled upon us.  There has been no rain and the sun has shown every darn day!  Many of the days the temperatures have been above 70!  Wow!  Almost unheard of. 

After visiting Blind Bay, we transited clam waters to Reid Harbor Marine Park on Stuart Island and hiked up to the schoolhouse and teacherage. 

Reid Harbor Sunset

Fall fog started lying in open waters so we skirted the islands in the San Juans with radar and the GPS at the ready in case visuals failed. 

With the beautiful weather continuing we headed up to Sucia Island Marine Park and took lots of walks and a long dinghy ride into a couple other bays. 

Sucia's toadstool rock

As we started to head south, the Juan de Fuca Strait fogged in.  That's a big piece of water with large vessels so as prudent mariners we chose to take a clearer route....back the way we came....down the Swinomish Slough. 

La Conner's Rainbow Bridge and Mt Baker in the background

Though we were avoiding the slough because it is silting in, we transited at high tide successfully (minimum shown on the depth sounder – 8' – way less than there should have been).  On a super sunny calm day we cruised from La Conner to Blake Island Marine Park and were pleasantly amazed that we didn't need to get involved in the Ferry Fandango and take evasive action – our timing was just right. 

Plenty of room at the Blake Island docks. 

Nice to be here for 7 days with power (the only marine park with it).  We had a great time in the sun watching deer and raccoons – lots of both. 

Blake Island fawn

Hiking the trails and talking with other boaters. 

Is this edible?

This may have been our last cruising time as we are putting the Troubadour up for sale (see @ http://mvtroubadour.blogspot.com/  we (and, especially, Dean after his hard work this summer) were able to relax and enjoy fall in the marine parks.  Very very fine.  

Sucia Sunset

By the way, Seattle has had a great summer.  Breaking all kinds of records because there has only been  .03" of rain since 7/23 – Seattle??!!!  Forecasts show at least another 5 days without rain.  Yes, the whole state is very dry and there are lots of fires but, my oh my, never have we had this much summer sun.