semiahmoo
Date: September 17, 2018
Time Start: 9:10 a.m.
Time Finish: 12:335 p.m.
Cruise From: Cabbage Island (Canada)
Cruise To: Semiahmoo Marina, Blaine (U.S.A.)
Engine Hours Start: 921
Engine Hours Finish: 924
Weather/sea conditions: Sunny morning, nice day, smooth water, low 70's
On this sunny and calm Monday morning, the tide is low enough to expose the outreaching arms of Cabbage Island to the line of small islets extending from end of the island at the northern end and to Tumbo Island at the southern end. It's a beautiful world here today, and we are tempted to stay. Unfortunately, we need to move on and arrive in Semiahmoo later today. Dan will be attending the annual meetings of the Pacific Coast Shellfish Growers Association there this week, and we will be using NORTH STAR as our hotel.
We enjoy the scenery as we leave Cabbage Island behind. Seals and seabirds can be seen on the islets before we start the crossing of the Strait of Georgia. And what a day to be on the Strait! You couldn't ask for calmer water, along with blue skies and sunshine. The sky is so clear that scenery on the mainland is visible in some of the photos! With our NEXUS pass, we once again cross back into U.S. water, the crossing visible on our chart plotter.
Time Start: 9:10 a.m.
Time Finish: 12:335 p.m.
Cruise From: Cabbage Island (Canada)
Cruise To: Semiahmoo Marina, Blaine (U.S.A.)
Engine Hours Start: 921
Engine Hours Finish: 924
Weather/sea conditions: Sunny morning, nice day, smooth water, low 70's
On this sunny and calm Monday morning, the tide is low enough to expose the outreaching arms of Cabbage Island to the line of small islets extending from end of the island at the northern end and to Tumbo Island at the southern end. It's a beautiful world here today, and we are tempted to stay. Unfortunately, we need to move on and arrive in Semiahmoo later today. Dan will be attending the annual meetings of the Pacific Coast Shellfish Growers Association there this week, and we will be using NORTH STAR as our hotel.
We enjoy the scenery as we leave Cabbage Island behind. Seals and seabirds can be seen on the islets before we start the crossing of the Strait of Georgia. And what a day to be on the Strait! You couldn't ask for calmer water, along with blue skies and sunshine. The sky is so clear that scenery on the mainland is visible in some of the photos! With our NEXUS pass, we once again cross back into U.S. water, the crossing visible on our chart plotter.
First stop at Semiahmoo is for fuel, and a brand new R31 is on the dock. She is from Birch Bay, and this is her first time to refuel and her first pumpout! Big events for new boat owners!
We settle into the marina, a nice facility that is next to the Semiahmoo resort complex. Semiahmoo sits at the end of a narrow spit or peninsula that curves around shallow Drayton Harbor. On the outside edge of the curving spit is Semiahmoo Harbor. Historically this area was used extensively by native Americans and then by the fishing industry. Remains of fish processing buildings line the waterfront, and the old water tower has become an icon of the resort. The town of Blaine is directly across the mouth of Drayton Harbor from the resort.
A line of old floats in Drayton Harbor form a floating breakwater and aren't used for moorage. They are crowded with harbor seals. The floats closer to shore are bird territory - sea gulls, cormorants, and turnstones. When the wind blows just right, there is quite a whiff from all of this wildlife in the air! Fortunately, we have calm days for most of our stay!
NORTH STAR fits right in here, and we give her some TLC before exploring Semiahmoo.
It's time for a walk to see some of the housing, beaches, and the hotel/resort area of Semiahmoo. Dan bumps into one of his colleagues on the beach. We like how the buildings of the hotel/resort tie in with the historical buildings on the site.
The old buildings from fish processing days are between the resort and the marina.
Dates: September 18 and 19, 2018
Semiahmoo layover days
Weather: Sunny, upper 60's
The meetings of the Pacific Coast Shellfish Growers Association are underway through Thursday morning. Dan is attending all of the sessions, and I am joining him for the evening events. Meanwhile, the weather is perfect for me to walk the trails here, take more photos, and soak up some wonderful sunshine.
Semiahmoo layover days
Weather: Sunny, upper 60's
The meetings of the Pacific Coast Shellfish Growers Association are underway through Thursday morning. Dan is attending all of the sessions, and I am joining him for the evening events. Meanwhile, the weather is perfect for me to walk the trails here, take more photos, and soak up some wonderful sunshine.
There are trails that extend the full length of the spit, one on the Drayton Harbor side, and another on the Semiahmoo Bay side. Between them is the road to the marina and resort complex. You can walk along either trail and see both bodies of water at once, that is how narrow the spit is. Right now, rose hips are a big highlight along the way, in glorious fall colors!
At the shore end of the spit are more historical buildings from fish processing days, a museum, an inn, and a park with picnic facilities and beach access. Unfortunately, the museum isn't open today.
Walking along either trail is lovely, there are beaches and views all along the way on both of them, and it is easy to cross the road and transfer from one trail to the other. There are miles of beach to enjoy here!
Now for the social times! With some 300 people at the meetings, there are evening receptions, and on one night, a dunk tank to raise money to support the students in attendance. On the final evening, a banquet with programs pretty much wraps up the gathering. For us, it becomes a very special occasion. Dan is given accolades and recognition for his years of dedication to the industry and named "Prince of Tides" for 2018. This award is given to just one person and just once a year, and is quite an honor. Congratulations, Dan!