Summer 2013: Cruise (1) - To Sucia (the First Time)

This year we left on Sunday morning to catch the tide and hopefully some wind with a first stop at Sucia - one of our favorites. Ended up motor sailing most of the way there, but we made good time. We were anchored by 11:50.

The blue line on the chart shows our rough course.

We meant to let the kids sleep in as we left. E didn't really awake until we were outside Echo Bay, Sucia. The engine didn't bother him - though his bunk is right next to it. But the cat hates the engine, and she took off and jumped right on top of I. and M. who were sleeping until then. Then the cat took up her "station": cowering under the dinghies.

I. went back to dozing, but M. just got up and decided to eat out in the cockpit.

Gray day, and the predicted wind (from the North, too!) didn't really show up until long after the tide had turned and we were at anchor. Oh, well, such is life on the Inland Sea, eh?

The birds were all gathering and the gulls even bickering. We wondered what was happening. Fish? Couldn't see anything. 

Here we are anchored off of Ewing Cove, Echo Bay, Sucia Island. This is one of our favorite places.

Sun came out and the kids were anxious to get to shore. Notice the new paint jobs on Pippi and Longstocking? Looking sharp!

Off they go into Ewing Cove.

While the kids were ashore we listen to NOAA: The report for the Northern Cascades ... "If you are enjoying hiking or other outdoor recreation and hear thunder, seek shelter immediately." Really? What do you do if you are not enjoying yourself? I guess you don't seek shelter.

Later that evening L. and J. turn on their phones to text family and let them know where we are. Moments later J's phone is ringing ... 
     "Hello."
     "Hey, J. Am I catching you at a good time? Are you home?" asks a long time friend. He is the "Father-of-the-Bride-to-be." J is officiating his daughter's wedding this autumn back east.
     J looks around, smiles and says, "Yes, I'm at home. And we've got tons of time."
     "Great, I want to get the details worked out regarding travel plans." Which we spent the next 45 minutes, doing. He never did know where we were. J didn't want to make the FOTBTB (a fellow sailor) jealous.

Technology is amazing, when it works!

Mt. Baker

Throughout the voyage, I. took sunset pictures with her camera.  She got some really great shots.

The ship's cat is always a favorite subject matter for the kids photos, too.

This first evening, L. took a little video of the harbor at sunset. 

The next day we all head to shore, play at China Caves and hike all over the island. Gotta get the annual picture at mushroom rock while we are at it.

On the way in, L spies a floating can, J picks it up. Hey, what do you know, an unopened Kokanee. A few minutes later, a young couple gives us a hard time about the rowing, wondering if we are a ferry service. "Wanna stop and have a cold one?"
"We're good," J. responds holding up the beer, "the sea provides!"

 While the kids climbed and swam, L and J enjoyed the provisions of the sea.

Then we were off to Fox Cove and the Mushroom Rock for the annual picture.

Sunrise!

We've been thinking about heading south. The goal is Gig Harbor. However, looking to the south, we can see fog, more fog and still more fog. Hmmm. Will we get any farther south? Not today.

No matter, a good time to go ashore!

 We decide to spend part of the day in Ewing Cove. While there we meet a group of kids and their two councilors who are taking part in a sailing camp. The kids are rowing and sailing an "expedition type" boat (TERN) around the outer islands. They've decided to spend the night on board. C helped to build the boat with a couple of his friends and they all co-own it together. He's acting as the "guide" for the trip. He was quite intrigued that we lived aboard year round. 

Here are the kids returning from our time ashore.

Next morning, still fog on the horizon!

We were starting to wonder how long it would take to get south.

Look at the fog "fall" down Orcas!

Fog to the north, too. Hmmm. We may be here a while.



 All morning, we kept looking for one of our water bottles. We just couldn't seem to find it anywhere.

Turns out that we had left it ashore, and C and the crew had found it. They used the excuse of returning the water bottle to come on by for a brief visit before heading off to Matia Island.

While the counselors were intrigued with our living aboard, all the kids were fascinated that we had a cat aboard. "You can have a cat on a boat?!"

Later that evening, we watched friends sail by and take a mooring ball in Ewing cove (just the other side of this small islands behind TERN). That evening, as J rowed ashore to wash out the sand from PIPPI and LONGSTOCKING, he stopped by and chatted with them.

The next morning, when we awoke ... there was No Fog! - Off we go!