ten weeks: coupeville
Date: August 1, 2016
Time Start: 10:10 a.m. Time Finish: 2:10 p.m. Cruise From: Cap Sante, Anacortes Cruise To: Coupeville, Whidbey Island Engine Hours Start: 530 Engine Hours Finish: 534 Weather/sea conditons: Sunny, breezy, low 60's It's August! We are now in our tenth week of the cruise! Saying farewell to Anacortes, our route takes us through Fidalgo Bay, under the twin bridges to the Swinomish Channel, past the town of La Conner, and into the Skagit Flats. Leaving the marina and Cap Sante behind, we cruise past the refineries and tankers waiting to unload their oil. With a low (-2) tide this morning, the exposed tide flats in Fidalgo Bay are full of foraging herons, gulls and other water birds. We are surprised to see a colony of seals are gathered along the shore. |
Passing under the twin bridges, we are in the Swinomish Channel, passing farmlands and small housing developments before we arrive at LaConner. The town of LaConner with its shops, restaurants, and marinas, is on one side of the Channel, and tribal lands and facilities are on the opposite side.
Passing under the high arched bridge as we leave LaConner, we make our way into the Skagit Flats.
The decision is made to head to Coupeville on Whidbey Island, a place we haven't been to by boat. It is windy as we arrive, and we are happy to have assistance as we bring NORTH STAR to the dock. We are excited, this looks like a really fun and interesting stop! We are right next to "Suva", a historic 68 foot schooner built in 1925, and now operated by the Coupeville Maritime Heritage Foundation. In the 30's and 40's, she was the flagship of the Seattle Yacht Club and called "Belle of the Ball".
It's time for this crew to head to shore!
Coupeville is a fun town to visit! Historical plaques are on buildings, and the town is very much a mecca for tourists. Lots of boutiques and restaurants are along the main street. Colorful and interesting, we like visiting this town!
We return to the wharf, checking out the shops and displays in the historic building.
Winds continue to blow, and it is choppy on the dock. Boats continue to come and go. Mt. Baker is visible in the distance, and we have a stunning sunset.
And here is something to dream about . . . is this what a mermaid might wear? (vertical photos)
Date: August 2, 2016
Coupeville
Weather: Gray, calm, cool morning with low tide.
Lattes from the Salty Mug on the Coupeville wharf and Dan's blueberry pancakes get us going on a gray morning. The tide is low, way low, and boats with a deep draft need to move as it is getting shallow under the pier.
Coupeville
Weather: Gray, calm, cool morning with low tide.
Lattes from the Salty Mug on the Coupeville wharf and Dan's blueberry pancakes get us going on a gray morning. The tide is low, way low, and boats with a deep draft need to move as it is getting shallow under the pier.
We are in a prime mussel growing area, and it is amazing to see the thick cover of these bivalves at low tide. They are thick on the pilings and under the pier.
Coupeville becomes a different world with the low tide. Herons are foraging, schools of small fish swim alongside the pier, and jellyfish float by us. It is a serenely lovely morning, and we will definitely want to return here in the future for another visit.
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