Yep that's what I am...a seafaring pooch with salt between my toes.... I just got back from a huge vacation to Anacortes Washington. Me and Annie and Charlie had a great time and we were all very good.....
So HP needed to take his boat, Salty back to Washington for a couple of reasons.....first was he bought a new trailer. The other trailer just wasn't what he liked and felt with all the long distance hauling he wanted one that supported Salty better. Oh Yeah Salty is a 22 foot C- Dory. I am getting pretty good at all this nautical stuff. I listen alot. The second reason is HP is leaving Salty at EQ Marine for winter storage....it's so cold here and poor Salty will freeze. He will get it next spring and maybe we can spend some more time floating on the water.
We left here early on a Thursday and drove hauling the boat to Issaquah Washington....try saying that with a dog bone in your teeth. We stayed the night because HP really grumbles driving through Seattle during rush hour......it was still dark when we got there. Got up early the next day and we got to Coronet Bay around 11:30am.....I grumbled because we had to just sit in the truck FOREVER while the new trailer was fitted to the boat...but there is a really cool park at the end of the raod and we got to get out and stretch a couple of times...WP was amazed at all the wild blackberries were everywhere.
So the entire day was spent getting Salty's new trailer and everthing else organzied. But Saturday was a fun one.....HP and WP took their boat to something called a sling launch. They put two huge straps under the boat and off it flies into the air and then lands gently in the water. Carl the launch guy was really cool.
Us pups had to ride in the truck over to the parking lot until Salty was safely delivered to the slip.....this time we were moored next to a huge sailboat in slip 19 on "P" dock....by the way you cannot pee on "P" dock....that's a huge no-no.
Three trips back and forth to the parking lot with gear, water and then us one at a time. But it is a very short walk so no big deal. But here is me and my sis, Annie, after we get settled into Salty sitting in it's place at Cap Sante Marina. Quite comfy in here...WP put a waterproof blankie down so we don't get anything wet..
So off we go in to the bay that day on a cruise to Skyline Marina on the other side of Fidalgo Island. Oh yeah I should tell you all where we are consists of many islands...Fidalgo, Whidbey, Guemes, Lopez and many others all a part of what is known as the San Juans, just south of the Canadian Border off the coast of Washington. It is very beautiful here. It is cooler but still sunny and the water is pretty calm. HP is very happy the motors both started and things are running well. We see lots of birds.
So the next morning we get up to fog......lots and lots of fog. It is damp and the news says the fog should lift later in the morning. HP alwyas takes us for a nice walk every morning down by the water. It smells so different here. The fog sort of lifts and we all load onto the boat again for another cruise....this time we have to stay pretty close. There is a marine radio aboard Salty and some guy keeps squawking about heavy fog banks just where we had plannned to cruise to today. Plans changed and we have to just stay close in. The back side of Guemes Island is glass smooth and we had a good time just putting along. There are other boaters out too seeming to do just the same thing...enjoying the water..
On our way back to the marina we started to hear to hear the guy on the radio again. HP was told the radio is very important while on the water....they will broadcast well in advance of any approaching storm to give you time to seek shelter....we heard it all the way back to Cap Sante....wind storm coming with lots of rough water and huge swells....dang we were land locked for two days and the wind blew HARD.
So we did some land cruising....visited Bowman Bay at Deception Pass....here we are on the super long dock.....
and a view from the shore.
Charlie just had to go for a swim and Annie said the water tasted awful. This bay was calm the out farther there were huge whitecapsand no small boats on the water. So then we drove to the top of Mt Erie for a panoramic view of where we are.......spectacular!
So now we are at Wednesday....almost a week since we left our home in Montana. And today the winds are clam and HP is ready to get out on the water once again. Today no wind but it's raining. But HP and WP decide to go for it. Salty actually has heat in the cabin and windshield washers so why not? Off we go and once we get underway the water isn't all that bad. HP has been wanting mto get over to James Island since he bought the boat and today is the day. The water is good and we have just enough time... and we amke it!! it is worht the trip....a small island one of the first parks in the long chain of San Juans. Us pups get to get out and actually romp as there is no one there but us...we have time to get lunch and then have to head back
Cool place and here are some pictures of it....
And so we had a good trip. Got back to the marina..Salty was loaded back the trailer and delivered to EQ and we headed home Thursday. We left Anacortes at 10am and arrived back at our own yard at 9pm.....I am so glad to be home. We had a good time and now I am so looking forwaqrd to next spring.....I like boating..it's fun!
