forty days: coupeville
Date: July 21, 2022
Time Start: 10 a.m.
Time Finish: 2:40 p.m.
Cruise From: Cap Sante Marina, Anacortes
Cruise To: Coupeville, Whidbey Island
Engine Hours Start: 1437
Engine Hours Finish: 1441
Weather/sea conditions: Sunny, calm in marina but windy outside, rough cruising, mid 60s
We fill up on a hot breakfast at Calico Cupboard and take fresh baked cinnamon rolls and a jar of raspberry freezer jam back to NORTH STAR for future breakfasts. A fuel stop is on the agenda before leaving Cap Sante. Our timing is spot on to cross paths with a loaded whale watching vessel. It definitely gets the right of way!
Time Start: 10 a.m.
Time Finish: 2:40 p.m.
Cruise From: Cap Sante Marina, Anacortes
Cruise To: Coupeville, Whidbey Island
Engine Hours Start: 1437
Engine Hours Finish: 1441
Weather/sea conditions: Sunny, calm in marina but windy outside, rough cruising, mid 60s
We fill up on a hot breakfast at Calico Cupboard and take fresh baked cinnamon rolls and a jar of raspberry freezer jam back to NORTH STAR for future breakfasts. A fuel stop is on the agenda before leaving Cap Sante. Our timing is spot on to cross paths with a loaded whale watching vessel. It definitely gets the right of way!
The water is choppy outside the marina. And, we need to keep our eyes open for crab pots. We really like the flagged pots. They are easy to see. Looking back toward Cap Sante, we can see a layer of fog.
A very large tanker is docked at the refinery, surrounded with a boom to contain oil if there is a spillage.
There are some sand bars along the shore of Padilla Bay before reaching the Twin Bridges. We often see seals and birds here. Today is no exception, and it is exciting to see a large gathering of white pelicans. This is only our second time to see them here.
After passing the swinging railroad bridge and under the two bridges, we are in the very rural portion of the Swinomish Channel as we make our way to Skagit Bay. Boats pass by heading the opposite direction, on their way to Anacortes or the San Juans, or maybe even the Gulf Islands. And they don't always pay attention to the "no wake" areas, especially if they are in a hurry to get to their crab pots today. We spot one of the new R 43's and it looks like it is heading for some fun on the water.
Crab season isn't open for the tribal boats today, but they are loaded and ready for action as we pass through Laconner. Their boats and docks are along the side of the channel opposite from the main town. One of these days we are going to stop and enjoy this community!
The final portion of the channel is our favorite part and we wind through the bend with houses high above a bluff on one side.
And then we are in Skagit Bay, and are shocked to see an overturned yacht on the shallowest part of the channel. We later learn that the boat with a couple aboard ran aground in the night. Fortunately, the people are O.K. It is so important to use charts and watch your depth finder in this very shallow bay.
Our cruise becomes slow and sloshy with following seas and wind and current going against each other. It's sloppy! We see a couple of sailboats that have grounded, most likely from the super low tides exposing a lot more beach than usual.
Finally we are on the dock at Coupeville, tied up right beside "Suva". (see previous posts.) First thing we do is walk the wharf dock into town and join the crowd for ice cream cones, a local treat not to be missed. Where else to you automatically get three scoops of up to three flavors?! This happens to be the original sight of Seattle's Best Coffee. Ice cream wins today!
Legs need stretching, so we walk the streets of this unique and historical town.
Back on the dock, we catch the beautiful sight of Suva under sail with a group of friends and family aboard for a memorial cruise. We have a front row seat to watch the crew at work when they dock.
Ahh, evening, that photogenic time of day, with a perfect setting for watching the light change from day to night. And it is a windy evening, continuing into the night.
We rock and roll on the dock tonight, the docks creaking and waves splashing against the outer sides of the dock and against the hull of Suva. We're thankful to be on the lee side of the dock.
Date: July 22, 2022
Coupeville layover day
Weather: Gray, cool, windy a.m., clearing to sun, afternoon winds from south, low 70's
We have another low tide day. The wind is continuing, and we decide to stay in Coupeville for another night with hopes for calmer conditions tomorrow. We take advantage of the morning to tend to chores on NORTH STAR before an early lunch in "The Cove", a nice coffee shop on the wharf. We order the ciabatta sandwiches with lattes. Delicious!
Date: July 22, 2022
Coupeville layover day
Weather: Gray, cool, windy a.m., clearing to sun, afternoon winds from south, low 70's
We have another low tide day. The wind is continuing, and we decide to stay in Coupeville for another night with hopes for calmer conditions tomorrow. We take advantage of the morning to tend to chores on NORTH STAR before an early lunch in "The Cove", a nice coffee shop on the wharf. We order the ciabatta sandwiches with lattes. Delicious!
We pay a return visit to the historical museum. We have enjoyed visiting in the past, and today is no exception. Local artist Roger Perdue's works are being featured. He designed the whale wheel and salmon wheel that have been local attractions and was also the artist for many years of Water Festival posters. Amazingly, he didn't start working as an artist until he was in his 50's.
Historical Water Festival photos:
From early native history to early settler history, the museum has a variety of exhibits.
Coupeville is jammed with tourists today, and the dock is busy with small boats coming and going to tend crab pots. Looks like everyone is coming home with a crab feast. Some get cleaned and cooked right on the dock, and even enjoyed on the spot. The little boats keep the dock master (Denise) super busy.
On the dock by us Suva prepares for a sail, boaters dine on their crab catch, and a colorful wedding party visits for a photo shoot. So much life, love it!
Dinner tonight is in town at a new spot, "Gordons". The food is Asian fusiion and terrific. We order Hulu Hulu chicken and flank steak with kimchee, wasabi mashed potatoes, veggies. So good.
Yes, a good walk is in order, taking in some of the old homes of Coupeville and enjoying the views.
And then it's time for evening, sunset, night on the wharf and dock. And the wind? It blows! Our dock lines are getting a workout.
Time for some color, and it is fantastic.
How will we rest tonight? The action of the waves creates a jerking action at all of the seams where sections of the dock are joined together. Rocking, rolling, jerking, and noise. Maybe it will all lull us to sleep.