Cruisin'

Benny Prennan, the midshipman, forced us to go out of the slip today.

We did our best job of playing scaredy cat, but she was having no part of it.  So after fortifying ourselves with a substantial breakfast and securing snack provisions for Capt. Dave, we pulled out of the slip at 10am. It was a bit overcast, but not really cold or wet.  As we left the marina we passed the Adventuress, a gaff-rigged schooner tall ship.  It looked like they were training new crew.

The Midshipman.

We headed out into Guemes Channel.

Captain Dave staying warm with coffee.

 I went forward and ran the sheets for the jib so we could put a sail up.  Even though there was no wind.  What the heck?  It couldn't hurt.  Unfortunately the furler drum was jammed and we couldn't deploy the sail.  We tried a couple things, but ended up deciding it was a fix to do in the marina. And after all, there was not enough wind to get too excited about. So we motored on out of Guemes Channel and then turned north up Bellingham Channel between Guemes Island and Cypress Island.

 

See how Fidalgo Island kinda looks like Sponge Bob?  Well our marina is just down from the right corner of his head.  Guemes Channel runs between Fidalgo and Guemes Islands.

As we turned north into Bellingham Channel we saw we had company

This is Zodiac, the sister ship to Adventuress.

It was really great to get to travel alongside this beautiful ship.  

Well, until they started to tailgate us.

(Not really.)

This ship offers cruises that look really fun.  Check 'em out here.

Okay enough with the big pretty boats.

We were out to see something we hadn't seen before - Cypress Island.  

In particular, Eagle Harbor.  We've been told by a few of our dock neighbors to check out this spot because it's close to Anacortes and lovely.  And they are right.  Cypress Island is a favorite nesting area for bald eagles.  As we were closing on the harbor, we spotted several eagles sitting on nests as well a handful down on the beach engaged in some kind of eagle-type beach fun.  

To be honest we were blown away by how many eagles we spotted in a small area close to this harbor.  There are a half dozen Washington State Marine Park moorings you can tie up to here.  It's kind of like going to a state/federal campground.  You tie up then go ashore and pay at the self-service station.  

Cool, huh?  

We'll be back to stay here sometime.  Although tonight the wind is blowing from a direction that might make it a tad uncomfortable there.

So from there we hung a right and traveled across the top of Guemes Island and down it's east side back to Anacortes.  Plenty to see along the way.  

And then the Midshipman figured out how to use the timer on her camera

Then I had to watch for traffic

Check out the tall ship in the background.

The Adventuress had finally made it out of the marina but she wasn't going anywhere very fast.

She looks good from behind.

Captain Dave piloted us into the slip beautifully once again.  Start to finish, we were out for about four hours.

It was great!  We can't wait to spend an evening in Eagle Harbor and hike on some of the trails there.  

Meanwhile, I hope all of you have friends who make you do things that you love to do. Even when you think you don't want to.