2010 Cruise - Part 3: Roche Harbor

Here are the photos from the summer cruise we took in 2010. We've broken the cruise up into separate parts to make the loading easier. Enjoy the pictures.

So, as the Google Map picture shows, we left Stuart Island and dashed across the channel and into Roche Harbor. The wind was blowing out of the south (right on the nose), but there was no wind in Reed Harbor, Stuart Island until we came out. We actually anchored way down the harbor for the night, to get some protection from a storm blowing through, before moving across the harbor to get closer to the "establishment."

Yes, the "Phecal Phreak" will come out to pump out your holding tank.

Surprise! Ice-cream Cones! (J., E, I & M)

Yes, every night, while Taps plays, the Roche Harbor Marina personnel lower the flags.

We've seen this boat in Gig Harbor while visiting grandparents.

The Hawaiian Chieftain was in while we were there - neat to see her in the fog one day!

Here she motors past Merganser before raising sails.

And yes, the float planes do land right through the anchorage - our first, but not last, experience

All in all, Roche Harbor wasn't so bad, maybe. It is an expensive place to do laundry. We did get snubbed by a woman who was pleasantly talking to us until she realized we anchored out, rather than renting a slip. Once she realized we weren't "residents" she stopped talking, turned on her heal, and walked away (this made us laugh!). Furthermore, we were depressed by hearing all the stories about what had happened during the Rock Quarry and Company Town days.

We were excited to move to English Camp! (Part 4)
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Part 1, Part 2

2010 Cruise - Part 2: Stuart Island

Here are the photos from the summer cruise we took in 2010. We've broken the cruise up into separate parts to make the loading easier. Enjoy the pictures.

So, as the Google Map picture shows, we left Sucia Island where we spent some time before moving on to Stuart Island. The trip was a calm one, with hardly any wind.

Who can compete with Harry Potter?

I. continued to bake sourdough bread the entire trip! Yummy!

Stuart Island has a one room school house to which we walked from Reed Harbor (where we anchored), a tree swing along the way, and a lighthouse where you can sometimes see Orcas. We had heard that the sunsets were marvelous from the lighthouse, so we headed up for a picnic dinner at the school house (buying t-shirts from the t-shirt stand along the way (on the honor system - mail the check back to them)) and enjoyed the sunset.

Swing on big maple tree

Picnic Dinner at the school house / library lawn

There is a library which is the original school house.
Enjoyed the lighthouse and sunset - the orcas had been through already earlier in the day, so we missed seeing them, although we did see dolphins.  Walking back in the dark was an adventure!

Reed Harbor - looking up harbor

Reed Harbor - looking out the mouth

 After a few days, it was time to bite the bullet and try out Roche Harbor. Would it be the tourist mecca we feared? Stay tuned for part 3.
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Part 1

2010 Cruise - Part 1: Sucia Island

Here are the photos from the summer cruise we took in 2010. We've broken the cruise up into separate parts to make the loading easier. Enjoy the pictures.

So, as the Google Map picture shows:

we left Drayton Harbor and sailed down to Sucia Island where we spent some time before moving on to Stuart Island (part 2).

At Anchor in Drayton Harbor

Girls grinding coffee before departure

And we're off

Reading - the pleasures of being underway (BTW - E. never came out until we sailed into Echo Bay, Sucia Island as he was too engrossed in his books. We think he read 10 of them on the way over. We got books from the Library sale that the kids were not allowed to read until underway.)

The girls (I. &M.) at China Caves, Sucia Island

All three kids clowning around

E. climbed up by himself - China Cave area, Sucia Island

At Anchor, Echo Bay, Sucia Island

Kids walking along the shore to Ewing Cove

They walked all the way there!

Ok, so Dad helps in a tight spot

Rafting, Ewing Cove, Sucia

New friends heading North - we leave for Stuart in a day or two

Sharing a drink in the cockpit after a bath

Cool rock formations in Fox Cove, Sucia

I., M. & E.

The next day we depart for Stuart Island. (Look for part 2)

Blessings.