Sunday 24 August 2014 ~ Blind Bay, Shaw Island to Drayton Harbor
Yesterday evening the kids helped J. haul up LONGSTOCKING onto her place upon the bow in preparation for today's trip back to Drayton Harbor. We left PIPPI floating.
Last night as we were leaving the store, Z. offered to make us coffee prior to our leaving. So this morning, we had an errand to run, meaning a quick row, prior to departure. Last night E. decided that he would rather sleep in than have a cup of coffee or hot chocolate at the store.We left him to his own zzz's.
The girls, L. and J. had a nice row over to the beach. We decided to pull up by the park rather than rowing underneath the ferry landing to the store dock. This way we could leave at will, not having to wait for a ferry. In hindsight, we don't think it really would have mattered anyway, but it was fun to land in a new place. Unfortunately, this beach was a bit rocky at this stage of the tide, so involved some rock hopping to get to shore. But we still managed to get there with dry feet.
Yesterday evening the kids helped J. haul up LONGSTOCKING onto her place upon the bow in preparation for today's trip back to Drayton Harbor. We left PIPPI floating.Last night as we were leaving the store, Z. offered to make us coffee prior to our leaving. So this morning, we had an errand to run, meaning a quick row, prior to departure. Last night E. decided that he would rather sleep in than have a cup of coffee or hot chocolate at the store.We left him to his own zzz's.
The girls, L. and J. had a nice row over to the beach. We decided to pull up by the park rather than rowing underneath the ferry landing to the store dock. This way we could leave at will, not having to wait for a ferry. In hindsight, we don't think it really would have mattered anyway, but it was fun to land in a new place. Unfortunately, this beach was a bit rocky at this stage of the tide, so involved some rock hopping to get to shore. But we still managed to get there with dry feet.
After an hour or so, it was time to head out. So back to MERGANSER we went - rocking hopping again to launch PIPPI. It was nice to meet some new people and learn a bit about Shaw Island.
Here is an overview chart of the trip north.
Here is an overview chart of the trip north.
The kids, once again, helped J. lift PIPPI and store her a top LONGSTOCKING. There was still some fog out of the harbor, although none in Blind Bay. It was interesting to see boats come into the Bay and drop anchor, only to leave as soon as it finally cleared.
We figured the fog was going to do what it had yesterday; slowly lift. And that was what happened. We were glad that the tide was with us longer through the day going north than it had been when we were going south.
From the Log:
As we continued to head East, who did we happen to see heading West? Why the two J24s from Camp Orkila. We exchanged waves and laughed as the girls' boat was raising all their sails while the boys' boat was oblivious. Was it a race? Who won?
In the meantime, we had been discussing options. Did we want to take Peavine Pass to the south of Obstruction Island (like we have before) or try something new and take Obstruction Pass to the north of Obstruction Island. In the end, we opted for the northern Obstruction Pass. It might prove interesting to note that there was another sailboat motor-sailing (as we were) at about the same speed as ours. They headed towards Peavine Pass. This would be a good indication as to which pass was faster. As they came out a good 10-15 minutes prior to us, we would conclude that Peavine was/is the faster. But Obstruction was beautiful, as these photos show.
It was even fun to day-dream about the houses along the shore with boats on buoys out the front or back doors.
Looking west-ward (behind us about mid-way through).
Looking east-ward (to forward).
We figured the fog was going to do what it had yesterday; slowly lift. And that was what happened. We were glad that the tide was with us longer through the day going north than it had been when we were going south.
From the Log:
1150 - Orcas Ferry dock visible for 1st time today. Foggy by Shaw dock, still.Down the passage between Orcas and Shaw we went, along with everyone else. Must be time to head east toward home and the work week. It was Sunday, after all. We decided to cross over to the Orcas side and stay out of the way of the ferries. It sure appeared that the fog had slowed all of them down, too. Good to know, really, as it meant they were taking their time (Looking for the rest of us, we'd hoped). But the fog was behind us for the day, as it was nice and clear from here on out.
1200 - Visibility totally improved. Amazing! Anchorage clearing out. 3 sailboats, 2 powerboats leaving 1205 ferry from Orcas to Shaw, leaves Shaw @ 1220.
1205 Engine On, Mainsail up. Depth-sounder on.
1209 Weighing anchor
1218 Ferry backing out of Orcas. One [ferry] queued up outside. Hmm. Way off schedule today. 25' anchor chain still down.
1220 Anchor free. Engine in forward.
1225 Ferry docked @ Shaw. Kayaks, sailboats, powerboats, oh my!
1230 Passing ferry dock - bogeying outta here!
As we continued to head East, who did we happen to see heading West? Why the two J24s from Camp Orkila. We exchanged waves and laughed as the girls' boat was raising all their sails while the boys' boat was oblivious. Was it a race? Who won?
In the meantime, we had been discussing options. Did we want to take Peavine Pass to the south of Obstruction Island (like we have before) or try something new and take Obstruction Pass to the north of Obstruction Island. In the end, we opted for the northern Obstruction Pass. It might prove interesting to note that there was another sailboat motor-sailing (as we were) at about the same speed as ours. They headed towards Peavine Pass. This would be a good indication as to which pass was faster. As they came out a good 10-15 minutes prior to us, we would conclude that Peavine was/is the faster. But Obstruction was beautiful, as these photos show.
It was even fun to day-dream about the houses along the shore with boats on buoys out the front or back doors.
Looking west-ward (behind us about mid-way through).
Looking east-ward (to forward).
If you look at the water in these two photos (above and to the right), do you see what looks like wind blowing?
This made J. excited. But it turned out to only be the tide rips playing upon each other.
In fact, one reason we headed this way (rather than going the way we did when we went south) was hoping to catch some wind in Rosario Straight. Last time we went through here, we had a great following wind. Alas, this was not to be this time. While the high pressure system was making for beautifully clear sunny days, it also meant no wind.
This didn't discourage the knitters, however.
As we came out of the pass
and turned in a more northerly direction
M. took the helm for a while.
This made J. excited. But it turned out to only be the tide rips playing upon each other.
In fact, one reason we headed this way (rather than going the way we did when we went south) was hoping to catch some wind in Rosario Straight. Last time we went through here, we had a great following wind. Alas, this was not to be this time. While the high pressure system was making for beautifully clear sunny days, it also meant no wind.
This didn't discourage the knitters, however.
As we came out of the pass
and turned in a more northerly direction
M. took the helm for a while.
We continued to head in a northerly direction, helped along by the current. There was a bit of a breeze just at the tip of Orcas Island (Laurence Point), but it was gone as fast as it appeared.
J. commented "Today's water patterns are misleading. Each time I think we are about to hit some wind, it turns out to be tidal over-falls, etc. Keeping us on our toes, I guess."
As we passed Barnes and Clark Islands (see the chart overview) we took some of these photos to show the sea scape. You might note how flat and lake-like the Salish Sea was this day.
Barnes and Clark Islands towards the west.
Sandy Point to the eastern horizon.
Lummi Island (Left) and southern Orcas (right).
Orcas Island (with Barnes and Clark visible in the foreground).
Orcas (to the left) with Matia (to the right)
While we were slowly motor-sailing north, we noticed a tug pulling a barge coming up along the north bound traffic lane. We kept an eye on them. By the time we were at the northern end of Lummi Island, we became aware that we might just cross paths. If both of us kept on the same heading (path) we would be fine, but we knew there was a turning buoy just a head of us, in which the north bound lane would jog over and head toward the north-west. After turning, the tug and barge would cross a head of us, or behind us, or ...
We took maters into our own hands, revved the engine, cut across her path at 90 degrees while we still had that option, and while she was turning (which meant she was slower). We were not really in any danger, as the tug was aware of us, and we of them. If necessary, we could always spin around and pass astern of them. But we decided to make it obvious to the tug captain what our intentions were. Mainly, our intentions were this: Not Be in the Tug's Way!
As you can see in the photo, no problem. There was lots of room between us (just like we like it!). Turning takes time, and crossing the shipping lanes at 90 degrees is faster than at an angle. It is interesting, that in all of our time of traveling through these waters, this was the only time we have had to avoid any shipping in the shipping lanes. Still, it is a good reminder to never take things for granted and to keep a good watch (which we always do).
As we approached Birch Bay, L. ducked below to turn her phone on and check for messages. As she turned the phone on, it started ringing."Hello?"
"Hi, L. It is Mr. G. (the kid's band teacher) here. Did E. and you know about tomorrow night's Pep Band Practice? It's right after after the Freshmen Orientation. What's all that noise?"
"Hi, Mr. G. We're currently motoring back to Home Base. We're currently off Birch Bay. No we didn't know. Thanks for the reminder."
"Well, when the older kids mentioned that they put the information on Facebook, I ..."
How strange was that?
As we came around Birch Point, we decided to look to see if we could recognize any of the houses. One of L.'s colleagues just retired and built a huge house overlooking the water this way. "Might that be the house there?" We weren't sure. But it could have been.
But the house we were really looking for was the B.'s house. S.B. is one of the girls best-friends, and now that we've been to their house, we have a rough idea of what it looks like from the water. How fun would it be to find it, and see if we could phone them. Maybe the could see us out on the water?
In the meantime, we could tell that we had entered the Crabbing Zone. There were crab traps everywhere! Something else to watch out for as we continued to head for home and watch the houses on the cliff face. Of course, watching the sun set over Point Roberts was a "hardship" we enjoyed.And suddenly, we spied the B.'s house.
"That's it, isn't it?"
"I sure think so. They've got stairs leading down the back lawn ... It's two stories. ... The windows look right."
"I'm going to see if I can call them!" and M. rushed below. The phone had service. It wasn't roaming internationally. She punched the number, and it starting ringing.
Meanwhile, we turned their direction and waved. All we could hear was one side of the conversation."Hi, Mr. B. this is M. ... Uh huh. ... Look outside your window and you'll see us sailing by."
"He's not there anymore," M. said, turning to us. "I think he put the phone down. I can hear him yelling at the kids."
We continued looking their direction and kept waving.
"Oh, Hi again. ... You can, that's awesome." Turning to us, M. said, "They can see us."
"Uh huh. ... that's really cool. ... Ok. Mr. B., tell everyone 'hello' for us and we'll see you at the Middle School open house if not before. Ok. Bye."
How cool was that! Apparently, they all ran out on their porch and could see us sailing by waving at them. We really couldn't see them at that point, but it was cool to know they could see us. We've never had that happen before.
The sun continued to set.
We turned the running lights on and kept watch for the mysterious Red Nun. We are not sure why, but whenever we come back into Semiahmoo Bay we have a hard time seeing it. We always make out the Day Marker, then the search begins. It would be nice to have a light on the nun, too. But find it we did, and around it we went (on the correct side - not that it mattered at that point of the tide).
[By the way, this nun is marked as a way point on the GPS, so we can always find it. We just have a hard time seeing it with our own eyes first.]
There were lots of professional fishing boats out and about, too. So we continued to watch out for them, along with the crab pots. The kids went forward to keep a better look out.
They were very helpful in pointing out crab pots and making sure we could see them before we arrived over the top of them.
Meanwhile, J. and L. were having a conference in the stern.
"Do you really want to go into our slip tonight?"
"No. I'm just starting to really enjoy the cruise."
"Me, too. How about one more night out? We could anchor in Drayton Harbor."
And that is just what we did.
We anchored between two other sailboats at 2120. Then it was time to tidy up before bed.
We suppose that this is a good time to mention the steaming light. It worked beautifully. Not only did it let others know that we were motor-sailing along, but it illuminated the stay-sail without blinding us. Not only that, but it helped in furling the stay-sail and dropping anchor, too. We are glad E. changed it.
Then as we were settling down for the night, we heard an outboard running. J. popped his head out the hatch for a look. Some guy was going full blast through the three anchored boats, pulls a 360 around ours, before heading out to the third boat. Hmm... After that episode, things were quiet. Alright, we'll admit. They weren't. The seagulls and terns carried on quite a racket all night. We weren't sure if we just were not used to hear them, or if this was just a particularly bad (a party?) night.
There were lots of professional fishing boats out and about, too. So we continued to watch out for them, along with the crab pots. The kids went forward to keep a better look out.
They were very helpful in pointing out crab pots and making sure we could see them before we arrived over the top of them.
Meanwhile, J. and L. were having a conference in the stern.
"Do you really want to go into our slip tonight?"
"No. I'm just starting to really enjoy the cruise."
"Me, too. How about one more night out? We could anchor in Drayton Harbor."And that is just what we did.
We anchored between two other sailboats at 2120. Then it was time to tidy up before bed.
We suppose that this is a good time to mention the steaming light. It worked beautifully. Not only did it let others know that we were motor-sailing along, but it illuminated the stay-sail without blinding us. Not only that, but it helped in furling the stay-sail and dropping anchor, too. We are glad E. changed it.
Then as we were settling down for the night, we heard an outboard running. J. popped his head out the hatch for a look. Some guy was going full blast through the three anchored boats, pulls a 360 around ours, before heading out to the third boat. Hmm... After that episode, things were quiet. Alright, we'll admit. They weren't. The seagulls and terns carried on quite a racket all night. We weren't sure if we just were not used to hear them, or if this was just a particularly bad (a party?) night.
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