The trip back to Texas was uneventful..in a good way. Nice visit with Joan's extended family in Colorado after an overnighter with a Vet brother of mine in Wyoming. Towed Joan's 1970 VW superbug back with us that our friend Gary restored.
Looking forward to returning to Mariahhh next Spring!
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Saturday, September 02, 2006
Ericson galley
Our little galley...complete with ice box and two burner alcohol stove. Small but adequate for the two of us.
mast climber 2
Peter and Octavia aboard their brand new Hunter 44. We were at anchor on Sucia Island. I don't know what he said to her but she wouldn't come down for about thirty minutes!!!
Mauseleum
Pretty cool family memorial in the forest above Roche harbor. The broken pillar was intentional and signified that death seperates but does not destroy.
Plane landing at Sucia Echo Bay
This pilot was pretty busy while we were here. It looks like he is landing on the back of Peter and Octavia's Hunter.
Mariahhh's Wake
Well the trip across the dreaded Straight of juan de Fuca was uneventful and we made landfall dead on Cattle Pass despite fog and limited visibility. We spent the first night in Friday Harbor packed in like sardines in the anchorage (we reset the anchor four times including one time after dark).
After refueling and showering the next day at Deer Harbor we sailed over to Stuart island and spent three days and nights in Reid Harbor. We hiked around the island over a couple of days and were fortunate to get up[ to the lighthouse just in time to watch one or two of the orca whale pods breaching and cavorting through the pass.
Our next stop was at Roche Harbor on San Juan island where we spent a couple days looking around. We restocked with groceries, showered and headed back over to Deer Harbor to gas up and anchor out for the night.
Our most exciting sailing experience was from Deer Harbor over the top of Orcas Island to Sucia Island. We had to reef the sails and our little rubber dinghy started doing cartwheels behind Mariahhh when the wind kicked up. We made it to Sucia and took one of the last mooring balls available. The first night we pitched and rolled all night long and some of our neighbors got seasick. We met a really cool couple (Peter and Octavia) who were out in their brand new Hunter 44. What an unbelievably beautiful boat!!!
After two days at Sucia we sailed/motored down to Spencer Spit state park for the night and back to the mainland the next day.
Overall it was two great weeks in paradise even though we had to endure two to three days between showers. We are still uploading photos from the trip so check back again. The second week of September we are going up north again to the Canadian Gulf Islands for a couple weeks.
After refueling and showering the next day at Deer Harbor we sailed over to Stuart island and spent three days and nights in Reid Harbor. We hiked around the island over a couple of days and were fortunate to get up[ to the lighthouse just in time to watch one or two of the orca whale pods breaching and cavorting through the pass.
Our next stop was at Roche Harbor on San Juan island where we spent a couple days looking around. We restocked with groceries, showered and headed back over to Deer Harbor to gas up and anchor out for the night.
Our most exciting sailing experience was from Deer Harbor over the top of Orcas Island to Sucia Island. We had to reef the sails and our little rubber dinghy started doing cartwheels behind Mariahhh when the wind kicked up. We made it to Sucia and took one of the last mooring balls available. The first night we pitched and rolled all night long and some of our neighbors got seasick. We met a really cool couple (Peter and Octavia) who were out in their brand new Hunter 44. What an unbelievably beautiful boat!!!
After two days at Sucia we sailed/motored down to Spencer Spit state park for the night and back to the mainland the next day.
Overall it was two great weeks in paradise even though we had to endure two to three days between showers. We are still uploading photos from the trip so check back again. The second week of September we are going up north again to the Canadian Gulf Islands for a couple weeks.
china men caves 2
These caves on Sucia Island were used for temporary shelter by Chinese immigrants being smuggled into the US in the 1800's. Opium also was brought in through this island.
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Orca island SW point
Heading over to Deer Harbor for fuel and a shower and provisions. The nearby cliff is the southwest corner of Orcas Island with Jones island in the background.
Turn Point lighthouse cliffs
These cliffs are at Turn Point lighthouse on Stuart island. A few minutes after this was taken two Orca whale pods swam through breaching and cavorting in the channel.
Reid Harbor hiking trail
Stuart island has several hiking trails with lush vegetation like this. Cool and shady with a temp around mid 70's!
Reid Harbor from bluff
This is Reid Harbor on Stuart Island. The pic was taken from a cliff above the bay. We spent three days/nights here exploring the island.
sanjuans 008
Beautiful sunrise as we are leaving Port Townsend for an early morning trip across the Straight of Juan de Fuca to the San Juan islands.
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
USS John C Stennis
Aircraft carrier coming in to naval shipyard at Bremerton. Note the one fighter on deck and the gunboats escorting her in. No fun and games in this situation.
on the rocks
Lighthouse at Fort Worden outside of Port Townsend. This fort was designed to protect the straight of Juan de Fuca and prevent a sea attack on the Seattle area.
Big Woops
Just bad luck. A leaking out drive forced Kevin to moor up in a strange marina during high tide. He actually came out of the situation in good shape.
Gary's family at the car show
Gary (white cap) with Karen (beautiful red head) and Giselle (scratching nose) standing next to a family members entry in the (English built) Car show north of Seattle. Not a bad looking chick in the pink tee shirt either.
Sunday, July 02, 2006
Sea rescue by kayak
The "Seatow" boat had double engine failure and went adrift in the marina until "KAYAK MAN" appeared almost out of nowhere and got them home safely.
Monday, June 19, 2006
Lunch with truste guide Gene
Gene took us to his secret trail next to Mt Ranier. Only met five small groups on this trail and it was tricky but the views were awesome.
Yes folks that is snow
Near the summit on the mountain trail. Snow got so deep and the trail so narrow we had to turn back about 100 yds below the lookout point.
Thursday, June 08, 2006
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
first set 005
This is the backside of my 12 volt panel which (surprise!) has to be rewired due to corrosion. No problem!
Port Gamble 012
Port Gamble is the site of the first sawmill on Puget Sound and the first settlement. All the people came from Maine to work the mill. This grave is in Buena Vista (formerly Teekalet) cemetery.
first set 017
Little side trip up Sinclair inlet to check out the passage over to Seattle before we attempt it for real in Mariahhh. No that isn't sweat on my brow it is raining!
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Wake up, cup of Joe and off we go
Joan had a great Mother's day with both of the boys here, shrimp omelettes, frizbee tossing and lots of good conversation/catching up with Daniel. Early wake-up tomorrow and "hopefully" a 0430 departure to arrive Denver twelve hours later at Joan's sister Ruth's house. Day of rest on Tuesday visiting Ruth and Dewayne and up to Fort Collins Tuesday evening to stay with her brother Don and his family. Then another 12 hours on the road Wednesday should get us into Butte, Montana for the night and on to Port Orchard Thursday where we will be rocked to sleep on Mariahhh that night.
Friday, May 05, 2006
David
It has been a long winter and we are excited about getting out to spend some quality time on Mariahhh. Just ten days to go and we will begin our trek from north Texas to Port Orchard, some 2,000+ miles. I just finished the fluids, filters, and spark plug changes on our F 150...new rear tires..ready to go. Still have to build a plywood toneau cover and install the tailgate lock so we have some security for our things that aren't on Mariahhh. We loaded up on those clear plastic containers with lids for our clothes and for storing food and books aboard. Looks like we are going to each be able to pack all our clothes in a 34'X16"X13" box....! Have to take some tools and kitchen gadgets along that aren't already in Wa as well as some navigation tools and charts , and books I bought over the net this winter. When you have to scale back it is amazing what you can get by on.
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Side tied at Railway marina
Back in the water and nestled in her new berth at Railway Marina just waiting for us to return mid May.
On the Hard..starboard
The former Young@Heart comes out of the water to get her bottom re-painted and some systems repairs on her engine and drive train. What lines!!!
Ericson stbd profile
She was just too elegant to ignore with her classic 1970 lines and that saucy "I've been there" attitude. What to do but fly from Texas to Port Orchard, Wa for a more intimate look. Wow!!! Even better than on the silver screen! Ok..we gotta do this even though it is December in the PNW...brrrr!!
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