Spirit of Gratitude Update

[Spirit of Gratitude]

Hello everyone,

We just wanted to report in and say how much we are enjoying our Ranger 29. We made the run Monday morning from Everett to Friday Harbor. We went through La Conner and stopped in town to look around and walk the dog. We found it to be quite a nice little town. We were not there but five minutes and there was already a guy coming down to talk to us about our boat. It turns out it was the guy that is building the hard top for Karma. He wanted to do some more measuring for Davids top. He was a very nice guy and seems to be concerned about getting it right.
We then pressed on to Anacortes waving as we went buy. Then through Thatcher pass and around Lopez island to Friday harbor. The boat did great and handled very well.
We find Friday harbor to also have a wonderful charm. Jeff Messmer got us going on this Geo cache thing. So we got the hand held gps out and started on our treasure hunt. We got close to finding some but it being our first time we were not sure how these things are hidden. We did not have any luck finding one but now we have some hints and after breakfast we will try again. Bridget is quite determined to find one. I am not sure if Jeff knows what he has started here. I think I am in for one heck of a ride trying to keep up with my wife as she searches for these things. :roll: I like it too!
From here we are going to Roche for the night and then to Sucia for a few nights at anchor. 😀
So far we have spotted one Gray Whale on our trip. We will keep a lookout and report any other sightings.
Well the sun is coming up over Friday harbor and is revealing all is beauty. We are so blessed to be here on this wonderful boat. It puts us in a Spirit of Graditude 😉

Thanks to all the Ranger people and all you tugnuts for your help and support that you have given us before, and during our time here. We truly feel part of the cult now.

Many Blessing to all,
Stuart&Bridget

 

[Lobo]

What a great introduction to a new boat!

A word of warning for Sucia. At this time of year south winds can come up Roasrio and make life miserable if you are on the south side. Also, at the docks there is a lot of shallow water. Check your weather forecast and tide tables before picking the spot to overnight -- there are sites on both north and south sides. Alternatives are Jones Island Marine Park (a nice bay on the north side); Deer Harbor (good marina) or -- from Roche Harbor -- go south down Mosquito Pass into Garrison Bay (about a half hour). Good anchorage in 20' of mud. Garrison is where the Brits camped during the Pig War and there remains the old block tower, flower gardens, and -- if you are a bit of a climber -- a 45 minute hike up Constitution Hill (I think that's the name) offering good views. There is a dingy dock.

When in Roche try to see the outdoor sculpture gardens -- it's 5 minutes from the dock cafe and the way is signed. Around 140 sculptures on several acres. Admission by donation.

Dave

 

[Spirit of Gratitude]

Thanks Dave,
Good advise. Mac our captain that spent a couple of days with us made sure we were aware of that also. Always good to here it again. 🙂

We are in Roche Harbor now and it is beautiful. We are heading to the sculpture garden just after i post this. 🙂
Lots of cool places to see and oh yeah my wife has us looking for more Geo Cache's. We did find the one we were looking for in Friday harbor. That is it my wife is sooooo hooked now. You should have seen her face when we found it. I think we are in for this wherever we go now.

Ok we will report in later,

Stuart&Bridget

 

[Auklet]

Stuart and Bridget ---

The great advantage of "tugnuts" is that already you have at least two other nutters looking out for you. The San Juans can be a very tricky place in the winter, but I have just checked the weather reports and the next four or five days look great for you. Friday and Saturday will be spectacular. Weather does change quickly here so it is always good to know where to "run and hide". Probably the safest harbor in the islands is Reid Harbor on Stuart. Since you will be going near there you might want to check it out before you go to Sucia.
You didn't say how much time you have but your itinerary sounds like a good sampler of the islands. There's a lot that Lobo and I can tell you about these islands, so just keep this in mind for your next trip. We know that you will be back. Keep writing.

 

[hlgearheart]

Stuart and Bridget, Did you go through Deception Pass on your way up to the islands? It might be an interesting way to go on your way back. Way back when we used to spend a lot of time fishing for salmon in "the hole" directly under and to the southwest side of the bridge. On the outgoing and incoming tide you would actually put your boat in forward and adjust your throttle so that you stayed in one place. It was interesting when three or four boats were in there and someone hooked one! From the bridge you'll go past Cornet Bay, then Dugualla Bay and on south to Everett. Glad you're having fun.
see you next week.........maybe.

Howard and Carol

 

[Spirit of Gratitude]

Stuart and Bridget, Did you go through Deception Pass on your way up to the islands? It might be an interesting way to go on your way back. Way back when we used to spend a lot of time fishing for salmon in "the hole" directly under and to the southwest side of the bridge. On the outgoing and incoming tide you would actually put your boat in forward and adjust your throttle so that you stayed in one place. It was interesting when three or four boats were in there and someone hooked one! From the bridge you'll go past Cornet Bay, then Dugualla Bay and on south to Everett. Glad you're having fun.
see you next week.........maybe.

Howard and Carol

We did La Conner on the way up and plan on Deception coming back. Should be fun...don't think we'll do it Howard style though...lo.l See you next week. By the way, the boat has been so amazing and it handles so nice....we are loving it!!

 

[Spirit of Gratitude]

Stuart and Bridget ---

The San Juans can be a very tricky place in the winter, but I have just checked the weather reports and the next four or five days look great for you. Friday and Saturday will be spectacular. Weather does change quickly here so it is always good to know where to "run and hide". Probably the safest harbor in the islands is Reid Harbor on Stuart. Since you will be going near there you might want to check it out before you go to Sucia.
Keep writing.

Great suggestion about Stuart I., we may check that out. We wanted to go there anyway since it isn't very often you have an island named after you. Our intention is to head back on the weekend. Thanks for your input.

 

[notaclue]

FORGOT HOW TO POST ANEW TOPIC,SO I THOUGHT WE WOULD RESPOND ON STUARTS LINK. GLAD TO HEAR ALL IS GOING WELL AND YOUR WEATHER IS COOPERATING !!

JUST ARRIVED IN SAN CARLOS- BREEZY BUT SUNNY. WE ARE NOW SITTING IN THE COMFORT OF OUR BOAT WITH FREEEEEEEEEEE WIFI 🙂 THE ANTENNAE THAT WE BOUGHT FROM ISLAND TIME PC WORKS BETTER THAN EXPECTED. I NO LONGER HAVE TO DRAG MY COMPUTER TO THE MARINA CANTINA TO TALK TO YOU GUYS-- A MIXED BLESSING INDEED.
OUR BEST WINDOW TO CROSS TO THE BAJA SIDE OF THE SEA LOOKS TO BE AROUND 0400.WILL LET YOU KNOW ABOUT THE CROSSING AS SOON AS WE CRUISE NEAR SOMEONES HOUSE AT POINT CHAVTO THAT HAS LEFT THEIR INTERNET ON --HEHEHEHEHE... I WILL ACTUALLY BE JUMPING OFF THE CHRISTINA BEE INTO WATER --I BOUGHT A SHORTIE WET SUIT BUT AM TOLD I WILL ONLY NEED IT FOR ABOUT A MONTH.

WILL TALKING WITH YOU SOON, STVE AND TINA 😀 😀

 

[Spirit of Gratitude]

FORGOT HOW TO POST ANEW TOPIC,SO I THOUGHT WE WOULD RESPOND ON STUARTS LINK. GLAD TO HEAR ALL IS GOING WELL AND YOUR WEATHER IS COOPERATING !!

JUST ARRIVED IN SAN CARLOS- BREEZY BUT SUNNY. WE ARE NOW SITTING IN THE COMFORT OF OUR BOAT WITH FREEEEEEEEEEE WIFI 🙂 THE ANTENNAE THAT WE BOUGHT FROM ISLAND TIME PC WORKS BETTER THAN EXPECTED. I NO LONGER HAVE TO DRAG MY COMPUTER TO THE MARINA CANTINA TO TALK TO YOU GUYS-- A MIXED BLESSING INDEED.
OUR BEST WINDOW TO CROSS TO THE BAJA SIDE OF THE SEA LOOKS TO BE AROUND 0400.WILL LET YOU KNOW ABOUT THE CROSSING AS SOON AS WE CRUISE NEAR SOMEONES HOUSE AT POINT CHAVTO THAT HAS LEFT THEIR INTERNET ON --HEHEHEHEHE... I WILL ACTUALLY BE JUMPING OFF THE CHRISTINA BEE INTO WATER --I BOUGHT A SHORTIE WET SUIT BUT AM TOLD I WILL ONLY NEED IT FOR ABOUT A MONTH.

WILL TALKING WITH YOU SOON, STVE AND TINA 😀 😀

Hey Steve we have our skype on so if you want give us a call. Stuart

 

[Spirit of Gratitude]

Woke up this morning in Roche Harbor to a beautiful blue sky and a chill in the air(more like FREEZING!!) with a gentle breeze. Yesterday was fabulous and we love Roche Harbor. It is so sleepy and cute. We were on a mission for Geocache sights and in the meantime saw many great places that I feel are musts here: The Mausoleum, The Sculpture Park, The Quarry, The little Catholic church and all the places inbetween. I wore Stuart out and I think Winslow too. We also went for an evening just before sunset cruise, which was nice. Today, we are headed off to Shallow Bay on Sucia. We are meeting up with Sporty II there.
Still thinking the little eddies and tides are so unfamiliar to me but we noticed them coming through Spieden Channel...so strange. I have never current before coming to this area, unless I was floating down a river in my kayak 😱 The boat sure handles nicely though 😀
BFN,
Bridget

 

[Spirit of Gratitude]

We are in Shallow bay on Sucia swinging on the hook. The weather is wonderful and the sun is shining. We took winslow into the beach and for a little hike. We are all in heaven. The frogs are singing there song. I recognize there tune, It's the Spirit of Gratitude. We like that song!

Report in soon,
Stu&Bridget 😀

 

[Lobo]

Sucia is a nice spot, isn't it?

I'll be coming around the north end of San Juan Island around 3:30 PM tomorrow and headed to Friday Harbor -- should be through Customs and docked at the end of "C" by 5:00 PM. If Friday Harbor is on your agenda, rattle my cage. If cage empty, we'll most likely be in Herb's Tavern. Then we leave early Friday for Seattle. I monitor VHF 16.

Dave
"Lobo"

 

[Spirit of Gratitude]

Sucia is a nice spot, isn't it?

I'll be coming around the north end of San Juan Island around 3:30 PM tomorrow and headed to Friday Harbor -- should be through Customs and docked at the end of "C" by 5:00 PM. If Friday Harbor is on your agenda, rattle my cage. If cage empty, we'll most likely be in Herb's Tavern. Then we leave early Friday for Seattle. I monitor VHF 16.

Dave
"Lobo"

Hey Dave,
We spent a night at Friday a couple of nights ago. I think we will be over at Stuart tomorrow night.
Thanks for the offer though. It would be nice to meet up if our paths cross. I guess you are heading down for the half way cruise. That sounds like a blast.
Have a great trip,

Stu&Bridget

 

[Spirit of Gratitude]

The last several nights have been very special. Pete from Sporty II met up with us in Shallow Bay on Sucia. He took us on a wonderful hike all around the island. The next day we cruised over to Prevost on Stuart Island and we hiked to the lighthouse and walked the runway. Looked for Orcas at Turn Point but no luck. We had the place to ourselves and it was quite nice. The water was so calm and was the most peaceful sleep we've had. This was our favorite anchor spot. The next day we went to Jones Island, which I think might have been our favorite island. With all the downed trees and moss, it was so beautiful. We walked around all the trails and over to the kayak beach. We were tied to a buoy and the winds were pretty strong out of the north all night, which made for no sleep but still better than not being on the boat. Got up early to head back to Everett through Deception but did a detour and are out for another night. Pete was a great host and showed us some spots that I am sure we wouldn't have seen otherwise. Winslow and Sporty really had fun and were wore out from all the playing and excitement. Couldn't have been a better "guided" trip. Thanks Pete and Sporty. Tomorrow headed back to Everett through Deception...should be fun.
Bridget and Stuart