Stella Maris
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 28, 2008
- Messages
- 1,500
- Fluid Motion Model
- C-24 C
- Non-Fluid Motion Model
- Helmsman PH38, 11' Boston Whaler, 9' Boston Whaler
- Vessel Name
- Destiny
Five Days, Four Nights,
San Juan Island Odyssey
After a very long week, we arrive into Seatac Airport at 5:30 Wednesday evening. We have been on the go with work for the last ten days and are looking forward to spending five relaxing days aboard Destiny.
Before we head out though, we will join our friend Jorge for dinner at Senor Moose and then visit the local QFC for ships stores.
We arrive back to Destiny just after 21:00 hours. Maureen puts the groceries away while I check fluids and open seacocks in preparation for our early morning departure. With all the groceries stored and final preps done, we head off to bed. It is already after 23:00 hours.
“What time do you plan to depart” Maureen asks. “4:00” I reply. While she says nothing, the look tells me that that is not going to happen. “Okay 5:00” I say reminding her we have an 11-hour cruise to Sucia. She concedes and I set the alarm.
5:00 comes early. Way too early. I hit the snooze button over and over for 45 minutes. At last, I climb out of bed heading to the galley to start the coffee. As I prepare the coffee, Maureen gets up and dresses, ready to depart.
Shore Power is pulled, lines are tossed ashore, and we head out, an hour later than planned. Fortunately, the wait for the lock is brief and it is not long before Destiny reaches the salt water of Puget Sound. We make the turn north and settle in for a long day of cruising. I take the helm while Maureen works on her emails.
The sun has already risen. The water is calm, the sky a beautiful blue. A large container ship is off of our portside making his to way to the Pacific. A tug follows behind. Bound for Alaska.
We arrive at the northern end of Admiralty Inlet, greeted by a beautiful sight of flat water on the Straits of Juan de Fuca. Our crossing today will be one of leisure. Maureen continues to work away on her computer while I just soak in the beauty of the day.
We enter Rosario Strait and make our way in behind James Island. If there is space on the Marine Park dock, we will cut our day short and stop here. It is not to be though. The dock is full, we continue on to our original destination.
As we approach Sucia, we can see two vessels secured in Echo Cove. We continue on to Ewing Cove where we find just one sailboat hanging on the first park buoy. We chose to take the third leaving one buoy between us. Once we are secure on the buoy and the systems all shut down, it is time to move to the fly bridge and enjoy the incredible weather.
I awaken the following morning, Destiny rocks gently on her mooring pennant. The sun makes its way over the horizon casting an orange glow across the island. What a difference from the last time we choose to visit Sucia. There were a total of four boats that we saw this time. The first time we visited, there were well over a hundred. With the coffee prepared, Maureen joins me in the cockpit to soak in our incredible surroundings on this beautiful spring morning.
The plan for today is to make our way to Patos Island. After a leisurely breakfast in the cockpit, we prepare for our short trip. Today, we will be underway for no more than two hours as Patos is just a short hop around Sucia. While Maureen works on her computer, I pull our pennant line aboard and back Destiny away from the mooring buoy.
I make my way around the lower end of the island and enter Boundary Pass. The seas begin to build. The wind begins to blow. We make our way to the northeast until we realize that Patos Island is once again, not meant to be. The direction of the winds and waves will make for a very rolly anchorage. I alter course heading west. New destination, the north cove of Jones Island. This is one of those places we always pass by saying, ”we need to stop here someday”. Today will be the day.
As we pass south of Waldron Island, our friends Bruce and Vicki on their Ranger Tug 31 MoonShadow, appear on our AIS screen just ahead of us. I call out to them on the VHF informing them of the conditions we just saw on Boundary. Their destination today is Poets Cove for a meeting of 50 Ranger Tugs.
We approach Jones Island and are pleased to see only three boats occupy the cove. Two on the dock, one on a mooring ball. Once again, we chose the mooring ball furthest away from the other vessel insuring their privacy and view as well as ours. Once we are secure, it is time to give Destiny a bath. With our new watermaker and our raw water wash down converted to fresh water, I can do this. I spend the afternoon washing Destiny and then giving her topsides a fresh coat of wax.
As the sun begins to set, we are joined in the cove by five other vessels. Two choose to anchor while the others head for the dock. We settle into the wheelhouse and take in the incredible view. From our vantage point, we can see across Boundary Pass and out into the Straits of Georgia. Large ships come and go.
As darkness falls, lights on the surrounding islands begin to twinkle. We are reminded that while we may feel that we are off on our own little planet, there are hundreds of people within just a few miles.
At last, it is time to head off to the comfort and warmth of our berth. What a way to end a day.
I awaken just as the sun casts its golden glow on the treetops surrounding the cove. As I stand in the wheelhouse, I notice a lone man sitting on the island staring as if entranced by the spectacle before him. Clear skies, warm clear sunshine lighting the surrounding landscape. The breeze ruffles the water of Presidents Cut. A small motor yacht makes its way north. What a way to start another day.
I move to the galley and prepare a pot of coffee. Maureen rises and once again we go to the cockpit to enjoy the welcome sunshine. Winters are long in the PNW so you must take advantage of every one of these moments that you can.
Once breakfast is complete, it is time to move on to our next location. Today we will check out West Sound. While Maureen works, I release our line from the mooring ball. Destiny drifts away ever so slowly. Once clear, I bump her forward and around the mooring ball. I head for Presidents Cut and then Harney Channel. I steer in and out of the maze of small islands. Homes dot the shoreline. Fishermen fish the fast flowing waters between the islands. Slowly I make my way toward West Sound. I reach it long before I want to. I take Destiny north into the sound. Deeper and deeper we go until we reach the end. We swing back to the south and to the small cove we spotted on the way in. We head in making a few sweeps to insure that we will have enough depth once the tide drops.
At last, I find the location in which I want to set the hook. I lower it to the bottom and begin to back down. Once I have sufficient rode out, I snub it and continue to back down. It sets with a jerk. The bow dips. I continue to drop additional rode until we are set at a 4:1 scope. We have arrived.
While I tidy up Destiny, Maureen works away on her computer. While Maureen works, I give Destiny’s topsides another coat of wax.
Evening arrives. We sit atop the flybridge marveling at an Eagle soaring high overhead. Then another swoops in and roosts on a nearby treetop. The Eagle overhead dives straight down to the water at an amazing speed. At the last second it pulls up and lands talons first to ensnare an unsuspecting fish. He misses and resumes his flight.
Deer graze above on the well-manicured lawn of the house on the island. We just sit and take it all in while enjoying a beautiful bottle of wine.
Saturday morning, decision time. Do we head to MacKaye Bay and spend an additional night in the San Juan’s or, do we cross and head for Mats Mats Bay. We will let the weather make the decision. On our departure from Cattle Pass, if the seas are calm, we go across. If they are lumpy, we stay in MacKaye.
Alas, the seas are calm. We are crossing. The weather forecast is for increasing winds building to small craft warnings by late afternoon. It is only 9:00 so we should have plenty of time to get across. The calm is not going to last. Mid way across, the wind picks up. The seas begin to build rapidly. We begin to take spray over the bow. I am forced to head southwest to keep the seas off the beam and on the forward quarter.
Now we are taking spray on the flybridge. It is not long before it is no longer spray but heavy doses of green water. While I have a waterproof coat on over my sweatshirt, Maureen does not. She is soon soaked through. The seas are too rough to head down to the wheelhouse. We will have to endure where we are.
We continue to close on Port Angeles. A long way from where we want to be. I close to within five miles and then make a ninety degree turn to port. We are now running on a heading that will put us just north of Point Wilson.
I contact Seattle Traffic alerting them to our position. We have heard a considerable amount of radio traffic. Tugs and ships coming and going. Along with these commercial vessels, there are three naval vessels accompanied by three Coast Guard Vessels. Our course will put us within one half mile of them when we pass. Traffic advices me to change my course and head northeast. I calmly explain, the seas are to rough. Changing to a Northeast course will put us seven miles north of Point Wilson. We would be forced to run southwest again. This would mean another couple of hours out in these worsening conditions.
Traffic advices me that I can contact the navy on this channel as they are monitoring it. I simply reply, “that will not be necessary”. We continue to maintain our due east course assuming if the Navy is uncomfortable with our presence, they would let us know.
As we close on the naval contingent, we can see it is a Trident Sub accompanied by two Tug Tenders. A Coast Guard Cutter and two smaller gun ships accompany them. We pass within a half-mile, never hearing a word from them.
At last we round the bend and head into the smooth waters of Admiralty Inlet. While Maureen takes over the helm, it is time to wash all of the salt from Destiny. It is not long and we are approaching Mats Mats Bay. We study the tide charts. We will have six to eight feet beneath us when we enter.
While I head to the bow to prepare the anchor, Maureen guides Destiny down the fairway keeping the range markers lined up. We round the corner and enter the bay. We are relieved to see just one other visiting boat anchored amongst the many hanging on mooring balls. We select our location and let the anchor go. Once secure, it is time to head to the fly bridge and enjoy a little afternoon sunshine as well as a couple of Gin and Tonics.
Evening falls. Stars begin to twinkle above. The air takes on a chill. Time to move inside to the wheelhouse. We enjoy a delightful dinner of grilled Halibut Tacos while taking in the beauty of this bay.
Sunday morning arrives. Today, we will make our way back to Stimson’s Marina. Morning breaks, a heavy marine layer blocks out the sun. A light mist falls. We sit in the wheelhouse enjoying our last morning out. Before we know it, it is time to head home.
I pull the anchor while Maureen takes the helm. Once the anchor is aboard and secure, it is time to make our way out. We have three feet less water as the tide is just one hour past low. Maureen slowly guides Destiny out. At times, we see depths of less than one foot under our keel. At last, we make the 90-degree turn east, the bottom begins to fall away.
Once out on Admiralty Inlet, we sit back and relax. As we approach Edmonds, the sun breaks through. I head to the fly bridge and remove the seat and helm covers. We will enjoy the remainder of the trip from the fly bridge.
We arrive at the lock and find no one waiting. Within ten minutes, the gates on the small lock open. The green light comes on giving us the go ahead to enter. We exit the lock and make our way into our slip.
We have spent an incredible five days out cruising the waters of Puget Sound as well as the San Juan Islands. We had weather that was incredible as well as some dicey. However we would not trade our time out for anything.
What a great life we lead!
San Juan Island Odyssey
After a very long week, we arrive into Seatac Airport at 5:30 Wednesday evening. We have been on the go with work for the last ten days and are looking forward to spending five relaxing days aboard Destiny.
Before we head out though, we will join our friend Jorge for dinner at Senor Moose and then visit the local QFC for ships stores.
We arrive back to Destiny just after 21:00 hours. Maureen puts the groceries away while I check fluids and open seacocks in preparation for our early morning departure. With all the groceries stored and final preps done, we head off to bed. It is already after 23:00 hours.
“What time do you plan to depart” Maureen asks. “4:00” I reply. While she says nothing, the look tells me that that is not going to happen. “Okay 5:00” I say reminding her we have an 11-hour cruise to Sucia. She concedes and I set the alarm.
5:00 comes early. Way too early. I hit the snooze button over and over for 45 minutes. At last, I climb out of bed heading to the galley to start the coffee. As I prepare the coffee, Maureen gets up and dresses, ready to depart.
Shore Power is pulled, lines are tossed ashore, and we head out, an hour later than planned. Fortunately, the wait for the lock is brief and it is not long before Destiny reaches the salt water of Puget Sound. We make the turn north and settle in for a long day of cruising. I take the helm while Maureen works on her emails.
The sun has already risen. The water is calm, the sky a beautiful blue. A large container ship is off of our portside making his to way to the Pacific. A tug follows behind. Bound for Alaska.
We arrive at the northern end of Admiralty Inlet, greeted by a beautiful sight of flat water on the Straits of Juan de Fuca. Our crossing today will be one of leisure. Maureen continues to work away on her computer while I just soak in the beauty of the day.
We enter Rosario Strait and make our way in behind James Island. If there is space on the Marine Park dock, we will cut our day short and stop here. It is not to be though. The dock is full, we continue on to our original destination.
As we approach Sucia, we can see two vessels secured in Echo Cove. We continue on to Ewing Cove where we find just one sailboat hanging on the first park buoy. We chose to take the third leaving one buoy between us. Once we are secure on the buoy and the systems all shut down, it is time to move to the fly bridge and enjoy the incredible weather.
I awaken the following morning, Destiny rocks gently on her mooring pennant. The sun makes its way over the horizon casting an orange glow across the island. What a difference from the last time we choose to visit Sucia. There were a total of four boats that we saw this time. The first time we visited, there were well over a hundred. With the coffee prepared, Maureen joins me in the cockpit to soak in our incredible surroundings on this beautiful spring morning.
The plan for today is to make our way to Patos Island. After a leisurely breakfast in the cockpit, we prepare for our short trip. Today, we will be underway for no more than two hours as Patos is just a short hop around Sucia. While Maureen works on her computer, I pull our pennant line aboard and back Destiny away from the mooring buoy.
I make my way around the lower end of the island and enter Boundary Pass. The seas begin to build. The wind begins to blow. We make our way to the northeast until we realize that Patos Island is once again, not meant to be. The direction of the winds and waves will make for a very rolly anchorage. I alter course heading west. New destination, the north cove of Jones Island. This is one of those places we always pass by saying, ”we need to stop here someday”. Today will be the day.
As we pass south of Waldron Island, our friends Bruce and Vicki on their Ranger Tug 31 MoonShadow, appear on our AIS screen just ahead of us. I call out to them on the VHF informing them of the conditions we just saw on Boundary. Their destination today is Poets Cove for a meeting of 50 Ranger Tugs.
We approach Jones Island and are pleased to see only three boats occupy the cove. Two on the dock, one on a mooring ball. Once again, we chose the mooring ball furthest away from the other vessel insuring their privacy and view as well as ours. Once we are secure, it is time to give Destiny a bath. With our new watermaker and our raw water wash down converted to fresh water, I can do this. I spend the afternoon washing Destiny and then giving her topsides a fresh coat of wax.
As the sun begins to set, we are joined in the cove by five other vessels. Two choose to anchor while the others head for the dock. We settle into the wheelhouse and take in the incredible view. From our vantage point, we can see across Boundary Pass and out into the Straits of Georgia. Large ships come and go.
As darkness falls, lights on the surrounding islands begin to twinkle. We are reminded that while we may feel that we are off on our own little planet, there are hundreds of people within just a few miles.
At last, it is time to head off to the comfort and warmth of our berth. What a way to end a day.
I awaken just as the sun casts its golden glow on the treetops surrounding the cove. As I stand in the wheelhouse, I notice a lone man sitting on the island staring as if entranced by the spectacle before him. Clear skies, warm clear sunshine lighting the surrounding landscape. The breeze ruffles the water of Presidents Cut. A small motor yacht makes its way north. What a way to start another day.
I move to the galley and prepare a pot of coffee. Maureen rises and once again we go to the cockpit to enjoy the welcome sunshine. Winters are long in the PNW so you must take advantage of every one of these moments that you can.
Once breakfast is complete, it is time to move on to our next location. Today we will check out West Sound. While Maureen works, I release our line from the mooring ball. Destiny drifts away ever so slowly. Once clear, I bump her forward and around the mooring ball. I head for Presidents Cut and then Harney Channel. I steer in and out of the maze of small islands. Homes dot the shoreline. Fishermen fish the fast flowing waters between the islands. Slowly I make my way toward West Sound. I reach it long before I want to. I take Destiny north into the sound. Deeper and deeper we go until we reach the end. We swing back to the south and to the small cove we spotted on the way in. We head in making a few sweeps to insure that we will have enough depth once the tide drops.
At last, I find the location in which I want to set the hook. I lower it to the bottom and begin to back down. Once I have sufficient rode out, I snub it and continue to back down. It sets with a jerk. The bow dips. I continue to drop additional rode until we are set at a 4:1 scope. We have arrived.
While I tidy up Destiny, Maureen works away on her computer. While Maureen works, I give Destiny’s topsides another coat of wax.
Evening arrives. We sit atop the flybridge marveling at an Eagle soaring high overhead. Then another swoops in and roosts on a nearby treetop. The Eagle overhead dives straight down to the water at an amazing speed. At the last second it pulls up and lands talons first to ensnare an unsuspecting fish. He misses and resumes his flight.
Deer graze above on the well-manicured lawn of the house on the island. We just sit and take it all in while enjoying a beautiful bottle of wine.
Saturday morning, decision time. Do we head to MacKaye Bay and spend an additional night in the San Juan’s or, do we cross and head for Mats Mats Bay. We will let the weather make the decision. On our departure from Cattle Pass, if the seas are calm, we go across. If they are lumpy, we stay in MacKaye.
Alas, the seas are calm. We are crossing. The weather forecast is for increasing winds building to small craft warnings by late afternoon. It is only 9:00 so we should have plenty of time to get across. The calm is not going to last. Mid way across, the wind picks up. The seas begin to build rapidly. We begin to take spray over the bow. I am forced to head southwest to keep the seas off the beam and on the forward quarter.
Now we are taking spray on the flybridge. It is not long before it is no longer spray but heavy doses of green water. While I have a waterproof coat on over my sweatshirt, Maureen does not. She is soon soaked through. The seas are too rough to head down to the wheelhouse. We will have to endure where we are.
We continue to close on Port Angeles. A long way from where we want to be. I close to within five miles and then make a ninety degree turn to port. We are now running on a heading that will put us just north of Point Wilson.
I contact Seattle Traffic alerting them to our position. We have heard a considerable amount of radio traffic. Tugs and ships coming and going. Along with these commercial vessels, there are three naval vessels accompanied by three Coast Guard Vessels. Our course will put us within one half mile of them when we pass. Traffic advices me to change my course and head northeast. I calmly explain, the seas are to rough. Changing to a Northeast course will put us seven miles north of Point Wilson. We would be forced to run southwest again. This would mean another couple of hours out in these worsening conditions.
Traffic advices me that I can contact the navy on this channel as they are monitoring it. I simply reply, “that will not be necessary”. We continue to maintain our due east course assuming if the Navy is uncomfortable with our presence, they would let us know.
As we close on the naval contingent, we can see it is a Trident Sub accompanied by two Tug Tenders. A Coast Guard Cutter and two smaller gun ships accompany them. We pass within a half-mile, never hearing a word from them.
At last we round the bend and head into the smooth waters of Admiralty Inlet. While Maureen takes over the helm, it is time to wash all of the salt from Destiny. It is not long and we are approaching Mats Mats Bay. We study the tide charts. We will have six to eight feet beneath us when we enter.
While I head to the bow to prepare the anchor, Maureen guides Destiny down the fairway keeping the range markers lined up. We round the corner and enter the bay. We are relieved to see just one other visiting boat anchored amongst the many hanging on mooring balls. We select our location and let the anchor go. Once secure, it is time to head to the fly bridge and enjoy a little afternoon sunshine as well as a couple of Gin and Tonics.
Evening falls. Stars begin to twinkle above. The air takes on a chill. Time to move inside to the wheelhouse. We enjoy a delightful dinner of grilled Halibut Tacos while taking in the beauty of this bay.
Sunday morning arrives. Today, we will make our way back to Stimson’s Marina. Morning breaks, a heavy marine layer blocks out the sun. A light mist falls. We sit in the wheelhouse enjoying our last morning out. Before we know it, it is time to head home.
I pull the anchor while Maureen takes the helm. Once the anchor is aboard and secure, it is time to make our way out. We have three feet less water as the tide is just one hour past low. Maureen slowly guides Destiny out. At times, we see depths of less than one foot under our keel. At last, we make the 90-degree turn east, the bottom begins to fall away.
Once out on Admiralty Inlet, we sit back and relax. As we approach Edmonds, the sun breaks through. I head to the fly bridge and remove the seat and helm covers. We will enjoy the remainder of the trip from the fly bridge.
We arrive at the lock and find no one waiting. Within ten minutes, the gates on the small lock open. The green light comes on giving us the go ahead to enter. We exit the lock and make our way into our slip.
We have spent an incredible five days out cruising the waters of Puget Sound as well as the San Juan Islands. We had weather that was incredible as well as some dicey. However we would not trade our time out for anything.
What a great life we lead!