north to the rendezvous
Date: September 3, 2018
Time Start: 9:45 a.m.
Time Finish: 5:30 p.m.
Cruise From: Swantown Marina, Olympia
Cruise To: Kingston Marina
Engine Hours Start: 893
Engine Hours Finish: 901
Weather/sea conditions: Partly cloudy, calm, mid 60's, lots of boat wakes
It's Labor Day, and that means it is time to head north for the annual Ranger Tug/Cutwater Boat Rendezvous at Roche Harbor. We have such a pretty morning as we leave Swantown, where the guest docks have been full for the holiday weekend. Olympia as been celebrating Harbor Days, complete with tugboat races on Budd Bay. As it is the end of a busy holiday, there are way more boats than normal on the water today, some fishing for salmon and others out for end of summer cruising. We may have calm water today, but there will be lots of wakes from passing boats!
Time Start: 9:45 a.m.
Time Finish: 5:30 p.m.
Cruise From: Swantown Marina, Olympia
Cruise To: Kingston Marina
Engine Hours Start: 893
Engine Hours Finish: 901
Weather/sea conditions: Partly cloudy, calm, mid 60's, lots of boat wakes
It's Labor Day, and that means it is time to head north for the annual Ranger Tug/Cutwater Boat Rendezvous at Roche Harbor. We have such a pretty morning as we leave Swantown, where the guest docks have been full for the holiday weekend. Olympia as been celebrating Harbor Days, complete with tugboat races on Budd Bay. As it is the end of a busy holiday, there are way more boats than normal on the water today, some fishing for salmon and others out for end of summer cruising. We may have calm water today, but there will be lots of wakes from passing boats!
For us, this is the start of a three week adventure, beginning with the Rendezvous later this week, and followed with another two weeks on the water. Once again NORTH STAR is loaded with provisions, and we are looking forward to the September days that lie ahead.
We are right about the wakes! Boats, boats, and more boats as we make our way to and through the Narrows. There is a hint of encroaching fall with color starting to show on the hillsides. In the sky are amazing clouds lit by the sun. There are bobbing seals as we pass Point Defiance, a sign that fishing there must be pretty good.
We are right about the wakes! Boats, boats, and more boats as we make our way to and through the Narrows. There is a hint of encroaching fall with color starting to show on the hillsides. In the sky are amazing clouds lit by the sun. There are bobbing seals as we pass Point Defiance, a sign that fishing there must be pretty good.
It's busy in Colvos Passage along Vashon Island, too. A red house on shore evokes memories of a visit to Norway. Blue skies stay with us as we pass Blake Island.
The Seattle skyline is clearly visible today, and ferries criss-cross the water. There is enough breeze for sailboats to enjoy the day, too.
Larger vessels are on the water, too. The 960 foot cruise ship "Celebrity Infinity" and a 590 foot long car carrier pass each other, heading in opposite directions.
We join two other Ranger Tugs on the docks at Kingston, both the newer R23 outboards. Cool Mint with Cynthia and Laura also hails from Olympia, mooring at Zittle's. The red tug hails from Everett and is a mere month old!
Last time we were here, renovations were being made to the building. It is great to see the work completed as we stroll through the marina grounds and into town, giving our legs a much needed stretch.
This pretty day has a pretty ending, too.
Date: September 4, 2018
Time Start: 9:45 a.m.
Time Finish: 5:10 p.m.
Cruise From: Kingston
Cruise To: Watmough Bay, Lopez Island
Engine Hours Start: 901
Engine Hours Finish: 909
Weather/sea conditions: Sunny! Calm early, then N.E. winds
It's a beautiful morning at Kingston. Time for decision making: what route should we take today, the Strait of Juan de Fuca or Deception Pass? Captain Dan checks the forecasts and opts for Deception Pass.
Time Start: 9:45 a.m.
Time Finish: 5:10 p.m.
Cruise From: Kingston
Cruise To: Watmough Bay, Lopez Island
Engine Hours Start: 901
Engine Hours Finish: 909
Weather/sea conditions: Sunny! Calm early, then N.E. winds
It's a beautiful morning at Kingston. Time for decision making: what route should we take today, the Strait of Juan de Fuca or Deception Pass? Captain Dan checks the forecasts and opts for Deception Pass.
After shore showers, a filling breakfast, and fuel tank topped off, we leave Kingston just as the ferry pulls out.
We head to Possession Head on Whidbey Island, and are in for a treat. Sea lions are on the bell buoy!
We continue through Saratoga Passage between Whidbey and Camano Islands, arriving in Skagit Bay for another wildlife treat. Seals as well as sea birds, including black oystercatchers, are on the small rock islets in the bay. It is always a thrill to see wildlife as we cruise!
We arrive at Deception Pass two hours ahead of slack, with a three knot current flowing, and Captain Dan takes us through at 15 knots without a blink of an eye. Fun!
The islands of the San Juans lie ahead, and we make our way to lovely Watmough Bay on Lopez, joining a few sailboats that are at anchor.
Date: September 5, 2018
Time Start: 9:20 a.m.
Time Finish: 12:50 p.m.
Cruise From: Watmough Bay, Lopez Island
Cruise To: Roche Harbor, San Juan Island
Engine Hours Start: 909
Engine Hours Finish: 912
Weather/sea conditions: Sunny and calm, 80 degree day
Morning at Watmough Bay is beautiful! Sun, calm water, sailboats.
Time Start: 9:20 a.m.
Time Finish: 12:50 p.m.
Cruise From: Watmough Bay, Lopez Island
Cruise To: Roche Harbor, San Juan Island
Engine Hours Start: 909
Engine Hours Finish: 912
Weather/sea conditions: Sunny and calm, 80 degree day
Morning at Watmough Bay is beautiful! Sun, calm water, sailboats.
With our NORTH STAR burgee flying from the bow, we follow the shore as we leave Watmough Bay, passing low rocky headlands and beds of kelp as we make our way to Haro Strait. We hope to have more time to explore these shores in the future, they look like places that could be rich with wildlife.
We pass appropriately named "Castle Island", rising well above the other rock islets, and enjoy the fantastic scenery.
A tide rip gets us wet, sending spray over our windows. We pass Lime Kiln Point with its iconic lighthouse, and then we are at Roche Harbor. It is Rendezvous time!
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